Office Updates
Happy New Year to You and Yours!
In many ways, 2023 was a banner year for Tribal clean energy development. It was a year when historic funding programs for clean energy projects across Indian Country and Alaska transitioned from ideas to reality as programs across the federal government began accepting applications and selecting projects for investments and deployment.
In 2024, we can’t wait to see how your plans and projects come to fruition.
 The Office of Indian Energy is proud to share key accomplishments from Fiscal Year 2023.
ICYMI: Join Keynote Speaker Secretary Granholm at the 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit
 📅 Feb. 27–28 | Temecula, California
Please join U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm at the 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit on Feb. 27–28, 2024 at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. We invite Tribal Leaders, staff, and partners to come together to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore clean energy solutions that support Tribal energy sovereignty.
Register now to reserve your spot at the Summit – early bird registration rates are extended through Jan. 31! Book hotel rooms by Feb. 2 for the group rate as rooms may sell out prior to that date.
News
DOE Releases Guidance to Identify High-Priority Areas for Transmission Development
Final guidance for the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designation process issued.
In December, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Grid Deployment Office released final guidance for the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designation process. This process will enable DOE to independently identify narrow areas in the country where transmission development is urgently needed and to work with affected states, Tribes, local communities, and industry to accelerate the development of transmission projects in those areas.
The guidance issued today outlines a four-phase process to assist DOE in independently identifying potential NIETCs and opens the first window for public submission of information and recommendations on NIETC designation. This window will remain open until Feb. 2, 2024.
Learn more.
USDA Expands Eligibility for Tribes Under the Rural Business Development Grants Program
On Dec. 14, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced that USDA is expanding eligibility for Tribes under the Rural Business Development Grants program. This program creates jobs, spurs economic growth, and supports enterprise projects in rural and Tribal communities.
On Jan. 16, 2024, new and expanded eligibility definitions will take effect under the program to enable more Tribal government-owned entities to qualify for funding.
Read Full Stakeholder Announcement.
White House Council on Native American Affairs Takes Steps to Increase Access to Capital Across Indian Country
 In her opening remarks at the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced that the White House Council on Native American Affairs is taking critical steps to improve access to capital across Indian Country, including through the launch of an online clearinghouse that will serve as a searchable repository for an up-to-date list of all federal funding opportunities, including grants and loans, available to Tribal Nations and Native businesses.
The White House Council on Native American Affairs and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs created a central database that will ensure that Tribes are able to easily navigate and access the financial opportunities provided across the federal government. The version of the website being unveiled today has over 500 federal funding programs and will serve as an initial version, with the goal of soliciting feedback to continually improve user experience.
Searching for Funding? New Site Features Billions in Federal Funding and Tax Credits for Carbon Reduction and Climate Resilience
 The Funding Navigator is a new tool from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that allows users to browse and sort available funding opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities can can filter search results to see funding opportunities for federally recognized Tribes. In addition, Tribes can find existing technical assistance resources for climate resiliency, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental justice on HUD's Build for the Future and Tribal Climate Resilience and Adaptation pages.
USDA and DOE Virtual Listening Sessions on Rural Clean Energy Siting
The USDA, in collaboration with DOE, is hosting a series of virtual listening sessions to hear perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the increased levels of clean energy projects being sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities.
USDA and DOE seek feedback directly from a diverse set of stakeholders about what the agencies can do through their leadership, program guidance, or research and information sharing to encourage positive clean energy siting outcomes that benefit farmers, rural Americans, the renewable energy industry, and others.
Register to participate in one of the stakeholder-specific listening sessions:
Funding Opportunities
NEW—Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- 2024 Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grants
- Building Energy Codes Funding Opportunity Announcement
- FY24 Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants
- Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants.
2024 Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grants
$10,000–$1 million awards
Applications due Jan. 11.
This annual Bureau of Indian Affairs grant program seeks to develop the Tribal management, organizational, and technical capacity needed to maximize the economic impact of energy resource development on federally recognized Tribal land.
Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes Funding Opportunity Announcement
$530 million
Apply by April 30.
Using this funding, states and local governments can coordinate to develop a workforce with skills for the latest building technologies, including how to properly install and operate to deliver affordable, healthy buildings. This represents an opportunity to create local, place-based jobs—bringing the community into the effort to improve their own homes, community centers, and offices. Required brief concept papers due Feb. 9, 2024.
FY24 Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants
$1.4 billion
The DOE Grid Deployment Office Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants application and allocation request period is expected to open in Jan. 2024. These grants help modernize the electric grid to reduce the impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring the reliability of the power sector.
Over the next 3 years, the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants will distribute an additional $1.4 billion to states, territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations.
Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
$2 billion
Accepting applications on rolling basis; deadline to apply is Nov. 21, 2024.
This Inflation Reduction Act grant program invests in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.
Events
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 2024 Winter Convention
- Grid Modernization and Clean Energy Cybersecurity Summit
- Alaska Forum on the Environment
- Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference
- 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit.
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 2024 Winter Convention
📅 Jan. 28–Feb. 1 | Portland, Oregon
DOE Energy Transition Summit: Grid Modernization Initiative and Clean Energy Cybersecurity
📅 Feb. 5–8 | Arlington, Virginia
Attendees will learn about opportunities to engage with DOE-led efforts that are modernizing the future power grid and enabling a more resilient, secure, and equitable energy transition. This event will host thought leaders and working sessions for a dialogue about strategies for future energy systems through partnerships and technology transitions across government, industry, research organizations, and local communities.
Alaska Forum on the Environment 2024
📅 Feb. 5–9 | Anchorage, Alaska
6th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference
📅 Feb. 6–8 | Hollywood, Florida
2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit
📅 Feb. 27–28 | Temecula, California
We invite Tribal Leaders, staff, and partners to come together to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore clean energy solutions that support Tribal energy sovereignty.
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