Office Updates
Tribal Energy Champions and Partners Gather at 2023 Program Review
Annual Event Highlights Nearly 40 Tribal Energy Project Successes Around the Country
 During Native American Heritage Month, more than 200 Tribal members and leaders, Tribal energy champions and partners, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) staff, and other interested parties gathered in Denver for the 2023 Office of Indian Energy Program Review.
This year, attendees gave presentations on 39 energy projects from across the country. These projects build on the more than 210 Tribal energy projects and over $120 million invested by the Office of Indian Energy between 2010 and 2022. For every dollar invested by DOE, Tribes save $3.38, which has amounted to nearly $315 million in savings for Tribal communities.
Watch a short video from the event and read more in our blog.
In Case You Missed It: DOE Announces $3 Million for Two Tribal Colleges and Universities
 Last week, DOE announced $3 million in funding for two projects aimed at transitioning the campuses of Tribal Colleges and Universities to clean energy. This investment will support efforts to achieve energy sovereignty by lowering operating costs, providing a foundation for clean energy curricula, and serving as examples to be replicated at other institutions.
Read the press release to learn more about the two Tribal Colleges and Universities that were competitively selected.
These cost-shared projects, valued at nearly $3.4 million, are the result of a competitive funding opportunity announcement released April 12, 2023.
News
DOE Tribal Consultation on Revisions to Tribal Consultation Order and Policy
Strengthening Tribal Consultation and Engagement with Tribal Leaders
đź“… Dec. 11 | 1 p.m. ET | Virtual Consultation
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm invites Tribal Leaders to a virtual consultation on updating DOE’s order and policy governing Tribal consultation and engagement.
Join virtually to provide input on proposed updates to DOE Order 144.1 Department of Energy American Indian Tribal Government Interactions and the DOE American Indian & Alaska Native Tribal Government Policy.
The invitation letter, registration information, and draft policy and order are available here. The deadline for written comments has been extended to Jan. 31, 2024.
Updated Tribal Electric Vehicle (EV) Resources Page is LIVE!
 The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has updated its Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations page. These updates were made to streamline EV resources for Tribes to offer a quick and efficient means of identifying the most relevant and timely EV funding opportunities and locating EV-specific resources and project examples for Tribal communities.
Tribes can contact the Joint Office to request technical assistance with EV infrastructure, planning, and much more.
Webinar recording: To learn more, view the recording of the EV Charging Resource and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations Webinar that was held on Nov. 15.
Navajo Technical University and Department of Energy Open Pathways to Careers in Clean Hydrogen
DOE funding enhances STEM education with a focus on hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office highlighted its ongoing support of Los Alamos National Laboratory's partnership with Navajo Technical University—the largest Tribal College in the United States—to increase opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, particularly for hydrogen fuel cell applications.
Currently, there are seven Navajo Technical University students and two professors working on additive manufacturing and fuel cell research as part of this collaboration, and the university and lab have collaborated for more than 7 years to build curricula.
Learn more about the partnership.
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Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Extends Application Deadline and Offers Technical Assistance
$8.8 million available for Tribes
Application deadline April 30, 2023.
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NEW EECBG Comprehensive Guide for TribesÂ
All federally recognized tribes are eligible for flexible, formula grants through DOE’s EECBG Program. For more information about eligible uses of funds and steps to apply, see our EECBG Comprehensive Guide for Indian Tribes.
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EECBG Application Deadline Extended to April 30, 2024
The application deadline for all local governments and Tribes to apply for EECBG Program formula funding is now April 30, 2024. DOE welcomes early submissions and will review applications on a rolling basis. Eligible entities can find instructions to apply on the EECBG Program Formula Application Hub.
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EECBG Program Launches Voucher Application Portal
Eligible local and Tribal governments interested in vouchers for equipment rebates and technical assistance may apply through the Voucher Application Portal. Vouchers offer a more streamlined application process and reduce administrative requirements compared to traditional federal grants.
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Technical Assistance for EECBG from NREL
Applicants can request 10–20 hours of free support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for help developing an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy by writing to EECS_TA@nrel.gov.Â
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Apply to Host an EECBG Fellow
EECBG-eligible local governments and Tribes may apply to host a Community Energy Fellow to support their EECBG Program projects. Applications to host a Fellow are due Jan. 31, 2023.
Funding Opportunities
NEW – Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- Environmental Review Improvement Fund Tribal Assistance Program
- Tribal Electrification Program
- Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program–Round 2.
Environmental Review Improvement Fund Tribal Assistance Program
$5 million
Now accepting applications.
This funding opportunity from the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council is designed to help Tribes build capacity when engaging in the environmental review and permitting process for infrastructure projects covered by the FAST-41 program.
Tribes can secure funding for a number of resources that may be needed to engage in the permitting process, including, but not limited to: additional staff for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices or natural resource offices, upgrading office equipment, training, consultants, reimbursement for travel, and more.
View details in the press release and application instructions.
Tribal Electrification Program
$145 million ($72.5 million in current round)
Full application deadline Dec. 22.
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Tribal Electrification Program will coordinate financial and technical assistance to Tribes to increase the number of Tribal homes with zero-emissions electricity.
GRIP Program–Round 2
$3.9 billion
Required concept papers due Jan. 12, 2024.
This funding opportunity, the second under the GRIP program, focuses on projects that will: (1) improve electric transmission by increasing funding and advancing interconnection processes for faster buildout of energy projects; (2) create comprehensive solutions that link grid communications systems and operations to increase resilience and reduce power outages and threats; and (3) deploy advanced technologies, such as distributed energy resources and battery systems, to provide essential grid services.
On October 18, DOE announced up to $3.46 billion in the first round of GRIP funding, covering 58 projects across 44 states. This second-round funding opportunity will provide an investment of an additional $3.9 billion for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025.
Events
- 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit
- DOE Tribal Consultation on Tribal Consultation and Engagement
- Treasury Webinar on Clean Energy Credits for Tribal Governments
- 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit.
2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit
📅 Dec. 6–7 | Washington, D.C.
Tribal Leaders will have the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with senior Administration officials on implementation of key priorities, new policies, and other critical issues facing Tribal Nations.
Tribal Consultation on Revisions to DOE Tribal Consultation Order and Policy
đź“… Dec. 11 | 1 p.m. ET | Virtual Consultation
Join virtually to provide input on proposed updates to DOE’s order and policy governing Tribal consultation and engagement.
Department of Treasury Webinar on Clean Energy Credits for Indian Tribal Governments
đź“… Dec. 12 | 12 p.m. ET | Webinar
You’re invited to join a 1-hour webinar hosted by the Department of the Treasury Office of Indian Tribal Governments to learn about the Clean Energy Credits and Elective Payment Election of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. If you’re unable to join the presentation live, it will be recorded and posted on the IRS Video Portal after the event.
2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit
📅 Feb. 27–28 | Temecula, California
We invite Tribal Leaders and staff to come together to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore clean energy solutions that support Tribal energy sovereignty.Â
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