Office Updates
Notice of Intent: $30 Million To Support Tribal Clean Energy
 On August 5, the Office of Indian Energy issued two Notices of Intent (NOIs) to release a combined $30 million in Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) later this summer.
The first NOI will support Tribal clean energy planning and development, and the second NOI will support Tribal Colleges and Universities planning to transition to clean energy.
Through these planned FOAs, the Office of Indian Energy will continue its effort to advance Tribal energy sovereignty and maximize the deployment of clean, reliable, affordable, and local energy solutions.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) anticipates issuing the two Tribal energy funding opportunities in late summer 2024.
Read the full announcement to learn more.
GSA Announces Historic Purchase of Carbon-Free Electricity From Seneca Environmental Solutions
First-ever purchase under Indian Energy Purchase Preference will enable 185 buildings across 12 states to use 100% clean electricity.
On Aug. 2, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the government’s first-ever purchase of carbon pollution-free electricity from a Tribal majority-owned business under the Indian Energy Purchase Preference provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) purchase from Seneca Environmental Solutions will enable 185 buildings across 12 states to use 100% clean electricity and provides a model for future procurements from Tribally owned energy producing businesses.
Read the full GSA press release and learn more about the Indian Energy Purchase Preference.
News
Tribal Microgrid Project Awarded $87 Million Under $2.2 Billion Grid Innovation Investment
 On Aug. 6, 2024, DOE announced a $2.2 billion investment in the nation’s grid for eight projects across 18 states to protect against growing threats of extreme weather events, lower costs for communities, and catalyze additional grid capacity to meet load growth stemming from an increase in manufacturing and data centers.
The current projects are part of the Round 2 Selections for the Grid Innovation Program. Additional grid resilience funding will be announced later this year.
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority
The Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty (TERAS) Project will empower four Tribes in Northern California—the Hoopa Valley, Yurok, Karuk, and Blue Lake Rancheria Tribes—to develop Tribe-owned and -operated nested microgrids. This system will transform an outage-prone area through the deployment of reliable, resilient, community-led energy systems.
Awarded $87 million in funding, TERAS will utilize innovative technology, advance Tribal energy sovereignty, create durable and lasting change in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, and develop a replicable public-private partnership model for equitable and community-driven grid modernization.
Thayer Creek Hydroelectric Project Awarded $3.4 Million for Phase 1 Activities
 Angoon youth paddling a traditional red cedar dug out canoe.
Early this month, the DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstration awarded the Thayer Creek Hydroelectric Project more than $3.4 million (of the total project federal share of up to $26.9 million) to begin Phase 1 planning and development activities.
The project, led by Kootznoowoo, Inc., plans to construct an 850 kW, run-of-the-river hydroelectric project that has the potential to supply three times the community’s current electricity needs, providing additional power for heating, fish processing, electric vehicle charging, and tourism.
This project is part of the Feb. 2024 announcement of $366 million for 17 projects across 20 states and 30 Tribal Nations through the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program.
DOE’s Tribal Energy Program, predecessor to the Office of Indian Energy, funded early hydroelectric development activities through the Kootznoowoo Incorporated - 2010 Project.
Apply Today! DOE Seeking Full-Time Community Energy Fellows To Support Tribal Nations
Fellow applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis until positions are filled.
 Apply today for the 18-month, full-time DOE Community Energy Fellowship to support Tribal nations! Community Energy Fellows are placed in Tribes to support Tribal clean energy plans and projects.
Fellows should bring a strong interest in clean and equitable energy solutions for Tribal and local governments, particularly for environmental justice and disadvantaged communities.
Tribes currently seeking a Fellow are:
- Colusa Indian Community in California
- Qawalangin Tribe of Unlaska
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Learn more and apply today!
Deploy24 Registration Now Open—Secure Your Spot Today!
 📅 Dec. 4–5 | Washington, D.C.
Registration is now open for Demonstrate Deploy Decarbonize 2024 (Deploy24)—the second annual gathering of clean energy leaders and decision-makers dedicated to accelerating clean energy deployment and investment in the United States.
Hosted by DOE, Deploy24 will bring together industry executives, investors, community leaders, and other public and private sector decision-makers from across the clean energy supply chain. Our focus: to accelerate the deployment of critical energy and decarbonization technologies in the United States.
Join us this December to participate in a unique gathering with fellow clean energy leaders from across the country to discuss how we can continue to effectively and equitably put federal and private sector investments to work strengthening our energy system and securing our clean energy future.
Funding Opportunities
Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Communication and Engagement
- Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program
- Tribal Home Energy Rebates.
Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement
$3.6 million
Apply by Sept. 24.
This Office of Indian Energy funding opportunity is focused on enhancing outreach and engagement to improve federally recognized Tribes’ navigation and access to DOE clean energy funding and technical assistance.
Eligible nonprofit regional intertribal organizations may request up to $300,000 annually for up to 3 years. Funding will support communication, internal organizational capacity-building, and engagement activities with the goal of building long-lasting effective working relationships between Tribal elected leaders and staff and DOE.
Learn more:
Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program
$120 million
Apply by Oct. 18.
This funding opportunity provides financial support for federally recognized Tribal Nations and authorized Tribal organizations through a competitive funding opportunity to address current and future climate change impacts on Tribal treaty and trust resources, economies, regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty, conservation practices, infrastructure, and human health and safety.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs will provide technical assistance to support applying for these funds, including an informational webinar, a grant writing webinar, and virtual office hours to help answer questions.
Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
$225 million
Tribes have until May 31, 2025, to apply for their funding.
DOE has up to $225 million to grant to Tribal governments and Alaska Native entities for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. This program will provide up to $14,000 per eligible household for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades.
Events
- Tribal Lands and Environment Forum
- Intertribal Organization Funding Opportunity: Objective Strategy Session
- Chena Hot Springs 18th Annual Renewable Energy Fair
- 2024 California Tribal Leaders Energy Summit
- National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference
- RE+ 2024
- Intertribal Organization Funding Opportunity: Information Office Hours.
Tribal Lands and Environment Forum
📅 Aug. 12–15 | Eugene, Oregon
This is the fourteenth annual forum for environmental professionals from Tribes, EPA, state/local/federal agencies, community organizations, and other interested parties to meet, share knowledge, and learn from one another about how to improve management, protection, and restoration of Tribal lands for us and all our relations.
Intertribal Organization Funding Opportunity: Objective Strategy Session
📅 Aug. 15 | 3–4 p.m. ET
Join this session to ask questions and gain a better understanding of program requirements for the Office of Indian Energy Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement.
Chena Hot Springs 18th Annual Renewable Energy Fair
📅 Aug. 18 | Fairbanks, Alaska
Chena Hot Springs hosts the annual Renewable Energy Fair every August. The fair’s goal is to spread awareness of renewable energy technologies and sustainability opportunities.
2024 California Tribal Leaders Energy Summit
📅 Aug. 28‒29 | Temecula, California
The 2024 summit will include an "Energy 101 curriculum" designed to empower Tribal leaders with essential knowledge in energy fundamentals.
National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference
📅 Sept. 9–12 | Anchorage, Alaska
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals will convene the third Biennial National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference with the theme Shared Responsibility for Indigenous Climate Resilience.
RE+ 2024
📅 Sept. 9–12 | Anaheim, California
RE+ 24 brings the modern energy industry together to foster a cleaner future and marks its twentieth year as the largest and most comprehensive event in North America for the clean energy industry.
Note: Filter the full agenda (using the filter field at top right) by “Department of Energy” to view DOE speakers and sessions.
Intertribal Organization Funding Opportunity: Information Office Hours
📅 Sept. 17 | 3–4 p.m. ET
Join this session to ask questions and to gain a better understanding of program requirements for the Office of Indian Energy Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement.
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