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Office of Indian Energy News
Feb. 25, 2026
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Join Our Upcoming Webinars: Alaska Energy Focus & Successful Power Project Development Best Practices
 Join the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy for two upcoming webinars.
March 12, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. AKT
This webinar will detail the specific energy project challenges encountered and the innovative solutions implemented in two remote Alaskan villages: Kawerak and Igiugig. Experiences in these remote environments offer valuable insights into project execution and critical lessons learned. We will cover technical approaches, community engagement strategies, and the broader impacts of enhanced energy efficiency within these unique settings.
March 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. AKT
Are you interested in learning about power purchase agreements (PPA), power project financing, power project procurement, natural gas and LNG development, power transmission financing, and energy storage? Join this webinar for an overview of these topics as covered in the Understanding series handbooks, which establish a common understanding of best practices around successful power project development.
If you missed our last webinar, Beyond Land Leases: Harnessing Data Centers for Tribal Economic Development, the recording and slides are now available.
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Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Completes $3.1 Million Biomass Energy Project
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, located near Duluth, Minnesota, has long relied on its vast forest resources for fuel to sustain its people through the frigid winters of the Upper Midwest. The Tribe’s newest biomass heating facility represents a next-level adaptation of that time-honored tradition.
In June 2025, the Fond du Lac Band celebrated the grand opening of its $3.1 million Brookston Community Center Biomass Heating System, which was funded in part by a grant from the Office of Indian Energy. Read about this Tribal energy success in our latest blog.
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Join Us at the 2026 Reservation Economic Summit
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The Office of Indian Energy is pleased to join the discussions at the 2026 Reservation Economic Summit (RES), happening March 23–26, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. RES offers attendees high-caliber networking, teaming opportunities, and business development sessions centered around building bridges of opportunity with and for the American Indian Enterprise.
Join Office of Indian Energy Director Eric Mahroum for a fireside chat during the general session on Wednesday, March 25, to discuss the state of energy in Indian Country.
On Tuesday, March 24, we will also moderate the panel session titled “Data Centers: Opportunities for Tribes” to discuss data center development and how it intersects with Tribal sovereignty.
You can also stop by booth 403 to talk with our staff and learn how we can support your Tribal energy goals. We hope to see you there!
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News
DOE Reopens Beyond the Meter Prize With New Goals, Larger Prize Pool
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DOE’s Office of Electricity recently announced the reopening of the Beyond the Meter Prize. This two-phase competition will accelerate advancements in integrating behind-the-meter resources and energy storage systems, aiming to develop consumer-focused turnkey solutions while reducing transaction costs to enhance affordability.
Now offering a larger prize pool of $3.4 million in cash prizes and $800,000 in vouchers to work with a national laboratory, competitors are encouraged to form coalitions to demonstrate their existing products and strategic plans to integrate and manage consumer-focused technologies into behind-the-meter energy storage systems.
Key dates, updates to the rules, and submission details can be found on HeroX, the official prize platform. The updated submission deadline is April 30, 2026.
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Registration Open for 2026 Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit
Register today to attend DOE’s 2026 Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit, happening May 11–13, 2026, in Crystal City, Virginia. The annual summit brings together thought leaders and industry professionals from across sectors to promote energy innovation in our nation’s buildings and plants. Join DOE for engaging and dynamic sessions as well as opportunities to connect with peers and collaborate with experts!
The Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit offers participants the opportunity to explore emerging technologies, connect with market leaders and industry experts, and share innovative strategies for energy, water, and waste reduction.
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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 directly reaching out to the points of contact. View the full list of funding and technical assistance opportunities on the Office of Indian Energy website.
- Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program
- Digitizing Utilities Prize Round 3: Resilient Grid Innovation
- Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP)
- Tribal Nation Transmission Program.
Applications due March 20
Incentivizes the expansion and growth of apprenticeships in key technology areas, including artificial intelligence/semiconductor/nuclear energy infrastructure build-out, shipbuilding and defense industrial base, information technology, healthcare, transportation, and telecommunications. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor will support one project that increases apprenticeships in industries not previously listed.
Submissions due April 9
Aims to incentivize partnerships across energy and technology sectors to facilitate the transformation of digital systems, data analytics, and grid resource integration for the electric sector.
Piloting Support Services
C-MAP offers time-limited technical and nontechnical support for questions related to microgrid energy systems. Examples of such services include data collection, analysis, planning, decision support, and training.
Ongoing Application Acceptance
Supports Tribal Nations in electricity transmission planning and development. It offers capacity building, strategic planning, training, and educational events on transmission topics, with funding for participation in key forums.
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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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