U.S. Energy Department Announces $35 Million to Help Tribal Nations Benefit From Clean Energy Deployment

The U.S. Energy Department on Nov. 1 announced new funding opportunities to facilitate clean energy deployment on tribal lands and power unelectrified tribal buildings. The financing will encourage tribal energy and economic expansion by assisting local populations to take advantage of the benefits associated with clean energy deployment. The funding adds to investments made by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act and further supports attempts to improve tribal energy independence and ensure tribal contribution in the U.S.’s transition to an all-encompassing and fair clean energy future.

The key aim of the funding is to ensure that tribal communities receive a reduction in energy costs and make certain that the community is actively involved and a part of the clean energy future. As part of this attempt, senior U.S. Energy Department officials held detailed discussions with tribal leaders and vital energy stakeholders on tribal energy issues and concerns at the 7th biennial Tribal Clean Energy Summit held from Oct.4-5, 2022. During the summit, tribal leaders discussed ideas and explored cost effective plans to clean energy that would enhance tribal energy and economic infrastructure. The summit also included discussions on climate resilience, energy justice and methods to create stronger communities.

The funding opportunity further develops on critical conversations held at the summit, as well as attempts by the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs and the establishments approved under the 2005 Energy Policy Act, to alleviate energy security and flexibility for Indian tribes and tribal associates. The department has invested more than $114 million in over 200 tribal energy projects executed across the U.S. and this has led to in excess of 43 megawatts of new installations, which have assisted around 8,600 tribal buildings.

In order to keep up the impetus of previous investments and maximise returns on current financing, the office  is seeking applications to implement clean energy technology on tribal lands and power unelectrified tribal buildings.

The office will conduct an informational webinar on Nov. 29 to provide information on the funding opportunity pertaining to clean technology deployment on tribal lands. Further, on Dec. 1, the office will hold a webinar on the funding opportunity for unelectrified tribal building(s).