Office Updates
New Initiatives Seek to Address Tribal Electricity Access and Reliability Report Findings
 The vast, untapped potential of energy resources on Tribal lands has inspired many American Indian and Alaska Native communities to pursue energy development projects. But historical and contemporary federal, state, and local policies have influenced these projects, many times to the detriment of their progress.
Understanding Tribal perspectives is vital to identifying barriers and the appropriate means of overcoming them. So, over the course of 2 years, the Office of Indian Energy relied on Tribal input, in-depth research, and data collection to create a record of existing Tribal electricity access and reliability. The result is the 2023 report to Congress, Tribal Electricity Access and Reliability.
Read our latest blog to learn about unmet needs and funding gaps identified by the report and new initiatives to address these findings.
Why Attend the 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit?
📅 Feb. 27–28 | Temecula, California (Special pre-conference events Feb. 26)
Why should you come to the #TribalCleanEnergySummit? Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns explains... 🔊
News
DOE Announces Four Tribal Nations Amongst Teams in Prize to Advance Equitable Community Solar Development
Teams from 20 States and Four Tribal Nations to Receive $50,000 Each as Part of Community Power Accelerator Prize
 Last week the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the competitors in the second round of the Community Power Accelerator Prize, a $10 million prize competition to advance equitable community solar development. DOE selected 25 project teams who will receive $50,000 each, participate in a learning lab, and obtain technical assistance, to design their community solar portfolios and get them ready for financing. Successful teams will have access to $5 billion in private sector financing through the Community Power Accelerator to make their projects a reality.
Teams will participate in the Community Power Accelerator Learning Lab, led by University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Impact Finance, and, when ready, list their projects on the Community Power Accelerator’s online platform, getting visibility to the platform’s financing and philanthropic partners.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $623 Million in Grants to Continue Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Network
On Jan. 11, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $623 million in grants to help build out an electric vehicle (EV) charging network across the United States, which will create American jobs and ensure more drivers can charge their EVs where they live, work, and shop.
The grants included two Tribal projects:
- $1.4 million to the Chilkoot Indian Association, an Alaska Native Tribe, to build an EV charging station in Haines, a rural and disadvantaged community where there are no publicly available EV charging stations.
- $500,000 to the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council in Arizona for their EV Charging Port and Infrastructure Project for community EV charging.
Find more EV funding, technical assistance, and resources for Tribes from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.
Funding Opportunities
NEW—Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- 2023 Clean School Bus Rebates Program
- SOLVE IT Prize
- Reminder: EECBG Program for Tribes.
2023 Clean School Bus Rebates Program
$500 million
Apply by Jan. 31, 2024.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebates Program until Jan. 31, 2024. EPA encourages applicants not selected for the 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program—and those that did not apply—to participate in current and future funding rounds.
A Clean School Bus Rebate is a payment from EPA to an eligible entity to subsidize the purchase of a zero-emission or clean school bus, eligible infrastructure, and other costs, including workforce training.
SOLVE IT Prize
$5 million
Submission deadline April 12, 2024.
The SOLVE IT prize is the most recent of DOE’s many efforts to support communities and an equitable and just transition through prizes, funding opportunities, and technical assistance.
Competitors will demonstrate that they have what it takes to identify energy challenges in their communities, then engage with community members to craft concrete solutions and finalize their action plans to ultimately implement clean energy projects.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program for Indian Tribes
$8.8 million
Full application due April 30, 2024.
Tribes can use EECBG Program funds to upgrade buildings, install renewable energy equipment, or develop climate and clean energy plans.
-
The funding is noncompetitive; all eligible Tribes have already been allocated these funds from DOE—the next step is to apply to receive them.
-
There is no match requirement. View the EECBG Program Comprehensive Guide for Tribes to learn more about your allocation amount, the voucher option, and how to apply.
Events
- Energy Code Webinar Series: Best Practices
- Tribal Engagement Session on E.O. 14112
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 2024 Winter Convention
- Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference
- 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit.
Energy Code Webinar Series: Best Practices for Understanding and Improving Compliance
📅 Jan. 18 | Webinar
Learn about current energy code compliance best practices and case studies. Presenters from across the country will draw on experience from the field to introduce and explain how to successfully implement field studies, circuit riders, and other compliance strategies.
Tribal Engagement Session on Executive Order 14112
📅 Jan. 22 | Virtual Engagement Session
Tribal Leaders are invited to a virtual engagement session from 3:30 – 5 p.m. ET with Biden-Harris Administration leadership to discuss Executive Order (EO) 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.
During this engagement session, Biden-Harris Administration leadership and staff from the White House and federal departments will discuss the substance and implementation process planned for EO 14112. Tribal Leaders are invited to ask questions, provide comments, and share perspectives on how EO 14112 can best meet the needs of their Tribal Nations. Materials will also be available on the WHCNAA website and Tribal Leaders are invited to send questions to whcnaa@bia.gov.
Register in advance to attend.
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 2024 Winter Convention
📅 Jan. 28 – Feb. 1 | Portland, Oregon
Connect with members of the Office of Indian Energy team at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians 2024 Winter Convention.
6th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference
📅 Feb. 6–8 | Hollywood, Florida
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, representatives from the Office of Indian Energy will present on clean energy funding opportunities available across DOE.
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.
Here's what's catching attention on our social media pages. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.
|
