The U.S. Department of Energy announced $35 million in new funding opportunities to deploy clean energy technology on Tribal lands and power unelectrified Tribal buildings. This funding will promote Tribal energy and economic development by helping Native communities unlock the benefits that come with the deployment of clean energy. Along with the historic investments made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, this funding will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to enhance Tribal energy sovereignty and ensure Tribal participation in the nation’s historic transition to an inclusive and equitable clean energy future.
“DOE is dedicated to reducing energy costs in Tribal communities and ensuring they are not left behind in the transition to a clean energy future,” said U.S Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The President’s Agenda is making investments in low-cost and reliable clean energy across Indian Country—helping to power Native communities that too often are left in the dark or without affordable electricity.”
At last month’s 7th biennial Tribal Clean Energy Summit, senior DOE officials held open and comprehensive conversations with Tribal leaders and key energy partners on Tribal energy concerns. During the Summit, Secretary Granholm held a nation-to-nation roundtable with Tribal leaders to share ideas and explore cost-effective approaches to clean energy that strengthen Tribal energy and economic infrastructure, address climate resilience, and build stronger and safer communities.
The funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) build on the important discussions held at the Summit, as well as efforts by the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs and the authorities granted under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to increase energy security and resilience for Indian Tribes and Tribal members. Between 2010 and 2021, DOE invested over $114 million in more than 200 tribal energy projects implemented across the United States. These investments have resulted in more than 43 megawatts of new electricity generation installed—helping power more than 8,600 Tribal buildings and contributing meaningfully to the President’s Justice40 initiative to provide 40% of the overall benefits of federal clean energy investments to disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
To continue this momentum and maximize the return on past investments, the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications to deploy clean energy technology on Tribal lands and power unelectrified Tribal buildings. Reduced cost share for these FOAs will help ease the financial burden on Native communities and ensure funded projects advance energy diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. More information on the FOAs can be found at the Office of Indian Energy Funding Opportunity Exchange.
The Office of Indian Energy will also host informational webinars to provide potential applicants with more information on each of the FOAs. Click here to register for the Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands FOA webinar and here to register for the Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings FOA webinar.
