Faces of Clean Energy: Tashina Duttle

 For 14 years, Tashina Duttle has dedicated her career to transforming energy solutions for Alaska Native communities. As the COO and Co-Owner of DeerStone Consulting, she is at the forefront of developing sustainable, community-driven clean energy projects that prioritize Tribal sovereignty, economic resilience, and environmental justice.

Duttle’s journey into clean energy began early in her career, shaped by a desire to support Tribal infrastructure, lower the cost of living, and improve energy security in rural Alaska. She emphasizes that clean energy isn’t just about technology—it’s about empowering communities that have long been excluded from energy decisions.

“I wish more people understood that the clean energy industry isn’t just about solar panels and wind turbines—it’s about creating real opportunities for communities that have been historically left out of energy conversations,” Duttle explains. “Clean energy projects can be a pathway to energy sovereignty, economic development, and environmental justice all at once.”

One of Duttle’s most memorable projects is a multi-community solar-plus-battery initiative in the Northwest Arctic, which also includes residential heat pumps for 850 homes. This groundbreaking effort integrates high-penetration renewables into rural diesel microgrids, helping to reduce reliance on expensive imported diesel. But what makes it truly transformative is its ownership and coordination model: Tribal communities operate the project through an Independent Power Producer (IPP) structure in collaboration with a regional organization.

“It’s not just about clean energy—it’s about sovereignty, innovation, and building systems that work for our communities,” Duttle says.

She advocates for long-term, place-based solutions that respect Indigenous knowledge and support Tribal self-determination. “Our communities need flexible, place-based solutions that respect Indigenous knowledge, support Tribal self-determination, and are grounded in the realities of rural life. When we center local voices and invest in long-term capacity, we’re not just building energy projects—we’re building stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.”

Duttle also urges Congress to invest in clean energy jobs, emphasizing their role in fostering economic resilience and energy independence, particularly in rural and underserved areas. “Clean energy jobs create opportunities for Tribal members to lead and manage local energy systems, keeping energy dollars in the community and reducing reliance on imported diesel. These jobs also build local capacity, support infrastructure development, and ensure that the energy transition is equitable and community-driven.”

Through her leadership at DeerStone Consulting, Duttle continues to drive innovative, community-led clean energy solutions in Alaska. Her work serves as a powerful reminder that when clean energy is approached with equity and cultural understanding at its core, it has the potential to not only transform energy systems but also uplift entire communities.