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Office of Indian Energy News
Nov. 20, 2025
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Welcome to the monthly Office of Indian Energy newsletter! In each issue, we share the latest Tribal energy news, funding, events, and opportunities. |
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 Office of Indian Energy Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary
This year marks two decades since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed. This included the statute that established the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Tribal Energy Program. Learn about key milestones over the past 20 years in our recent blog.
November is Native American Heritage Month. Throughout the month, we’ll post on social media about the impact our office has had on Tribal energy advancement over the years. Follow the Office of Indian Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
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News
Coming Soon: Energy & Minerals Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training
The Energy & Minerals Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training (EMPACT) opportunity will enhance the nation’s capacity for a highly skilled energy workforce to help establish America’s energy dominance. Up to $11.3 million will be available to institutions of higher education (trade and vocational schools, colleges, and universities), of which up to $2.3 million will be exclusively for Tribal colleges and universities. Awards will facilitate the development of hands-on training and credentialing programs in skill sets supporting the natural gas, oil, coal, and critical minerals industries by establishing regional academic-industry consortia.
“Energy development offers transformational opportunities for the nation, especially for rural and Tribal economies,” said David Conrad, Acting/Deputy Director of the Office of Indian Energy. “The EMPACT initiative includes dedicated support for Tribal colleges to catalyze Tribal self-determination through a robust and well-trained workforce.”
EMPACT is a collaboration between DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Office of Indian Energy.
Coming Soon: Building Access to Tribal Energy Resilience (BAxTER)
The Building Access to Tribal Energy Resilience (BAxTER) funding opportunity will support building Tribal partnerships and improving energy reliability and affordability through networking activities, Tribal energy resilience project development, and Tribal workforce development. Eligible participants include energy experts in small businesses, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions. The BAxTER program anticipates making $4 million in funding available to 5–10 selected organizations.
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Tribal Energy Financing Program - Open for Business
The Tribal Energy Financing Program (TEFP) is available through DOE’s Loan Programs Office. Eligible applicants for the TEFP include federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native village or regional or village corporations, Tribal energy development organizations, and lenders that apply in partnership with Tribes for a loan guarantee. With the considerable energy resources that exist throughout Indian country, developing energy projects can help address the nation’s energy needs and create economic development opportunities for Tribes. The TEFP can provide Tribes with economic development opportunities by supporting a variety of large-scale Tribally led energy projects. There are many advantages of TEFP design, including a focus on Tribal ownership; financing for a variety of projects, which gives Tribes more flexibility; and a direct loan option to eliminate the need for Tribes to find a lender. The Loan Programs Office coordinates often with the Office of Indian Energy to identify potential applicants and share information. For more information, reach out to TEFP@hq.doe.gov.
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Tribal Energy Navigation Support
In search of the right resources and contacts to move your energy project forward? The Office of Indian Energy is available to help! Connect with our dedicated staff at indianenergy@hq.doe.gov or 240-562-1352.
We provide energy navigation support to federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, Intertribal organizations (including Tribal consortia), Tribal energy development organizations, and Tribal colleges and universities on inquiries about developing energy projects to facilitate more efficient access to DOE and the other federal energy programs available to them. This support includes:
- Finding federal project assistance
- Identifying project financing
- Technical feasibility analysis
- Financial feasibility analysis
- Partner engagement and coordination
- Permitting assistance
- Planning assistance
- Capacity building
- Training
- Assistance to enhance the legal environment for energy sector commerce
- Speaking engagements (events) or meeting requests.
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Available Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities
The following opportunities are available to federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, Intertribal organizations (including Tribal consortia), Tribal energy development organizations, and Tribal colleges and universities. We encourage interested Tribes to confirm the program availability, eligibility, and resources shared below by reaching out to the points of contact directly. View the full list of funding and technical assistance opportunities on the Office of Indian Energy website.
- Commercial Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Energy Generation Infrastructure Programs
- Speed to Power Initiative
- Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages
- Mines & Metals Capacity Expansion – Piloting Byproduct Critical Minerals and Materials Recovery at Domestic Industrial Facilities
- Mine of the Future – Proving Ground Initiative.
Commercial AI and Energy Generation Infrastructure Programs
Four Requests for Proposals Issued
DOE issued requests for proposals to support the growing demand for AI infrastructure and energy projects, based at the following four sites:
DOE intends to select applications that integrate innovative energy generation and storage technologies with the AI infrastructure.
Speed to Power Initiative – Request for Information
Responses due Nov. 21
Accelerates the speed of large-scale grid infrastructure project development for both transmission and generation and helps ensure the United States has the power needed to win the global AI race while continuing to meet growing demand for affordable, reliable, and secure energy.
Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages
Applications due Nov. 24
Supports the development of viable Indian and Alaska Native communities, including the creation of decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities, primarily for people with low and moderate incomes.
Mines & Metals Capacity Expansion – Piloting Byproduct Critical Minerals and Materials Recovery at Domestic Industrial Facilities
Applications due Dec. 15
Funding will go toward American industrial facilities with the potential to produce valuable critical material byproducts from existing industrial processes. Industries include mining and mineral processing, power generation, coal, oil and gas, specialty metals, and basic materials.
Mine of the Future – Proving Ground Initiative
Applications due Dec. 15
Invests in the infrastructure and technologies to transform U.S. mining practices and speed the development of secure and resilient domestic critical minerals and the materials supply networks of the future.
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Regards,
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
1000 Independence Ave. SW | Washington, D.C. 20585
For more information on the Office of Indian Energy, visit our website and follow us on social media.
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