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Office of Indian Energy News
July 6, 2026
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Welcome to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE) monthly newsletter! In each issue, we share the latest Tribal energy news, funding, events, and opportunities. |
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IE Director Sets Four Priorities To Maximize Impact Across Indian Country
Director Eric Mahroum has outlined four key priorities that will drive the Office’s activities for maximum impact across Indian Country.
- Increase energy affordability
- Facilitate public-private partnerships
- Strengthen communications and outreach
- Invest in the Tribal energy workforce.
Learn more about each priority in detail in a recent blog.
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Secretary Wright Announces Leadership Changes at DOE
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright recently announced that Kyle Haustveit has been confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as Under Secretary of Energy.
Alex Fitzsimmons was also announced as Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy and Senior Advisor to the Secretary.
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Register for Upcoming Webinar - Tribal Pathways in Nuclear Energy: Technology, Opportunities, and Federal Support
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Register today to join the webinar Tribal Pathways in Nuclear Energy: Technology, Opportunities, and Federal Support on Aug. 13, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET. The webinar will provide Tribes with an overview of civilian nuclear energy technologies, uses, and the opportunities and considerations they present for Tribal communities. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of nuclear energy, emerging technologies such as small modular and microreactors, Tribal community perspectives, and DOE support. The webinar will feature speakers from IE, DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, and Tribes.
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Are You Interested in Learning More About Data Centers? Join DOE’s New Tribal Data Center Exploration Cohort
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The DOE Tribal Data Center Exploration Cohort will consist of Tribal leaders and senior staff who will move through online conversations together, learning from DOE, industry experts, and one another. The conversations will culminate in a fall convening with developers. The goal of this initiative is to set Tribes up for successful and constructive discussions about data center development and partnerships within the Tribe and with industry.
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Meet the Team: Thomas Jones, Tribal Affairs Specialist
In a new Meet the Team blog, get to know IE’s Tribal Affairs Specialist, Tommy Jones. Tommy is the IE staff lead for the Indian Country Energy and Infrastructure Working Group. He also serves as IE staff lead for DOE’s Tribal Engagement Steering Committee and the Executive Secretariat, while supporting much of the Office’s and DOE’s engagement with Tribes.
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Join Summer Webinar Series on Tribal Finance
Join the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Tribal and Native Affairs for webinars on Tribal finance. The series highlights strategies Tribal governments and Indian Country businesses can pursue to finance projects that promote economic growth and housing opportunities.
The next webinar is on July 22, 1–2 p.m. ET and is titled Closing the Gaps: Lender Credit Stacking in Tribal Communities. Additional webinars will be held on August 19 and September 23. Learn more and register.
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Sovereignty Symposium
In June, IE Director Eric Mahroum participated in the From Vision to Viability: Funding and Financial Strategy in Indian Country panel at the Sovereignty Symposium in Oklahoma City and met with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation to discuss energy priorities sovereignty. See the LinkedIn post for more photos from the event.
Pictured: Director Mahroum with Governor John Raymond Johnson and Representative Anthony Johnson from the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma at the Sovereignty Symposium.
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Program Spotlight: Commercial Law Development Program Work with Tribal Nations
The U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) improves the legal environment for business worldwide. In addition to CLDP’s global legal assistance, its team works with Tribal Nations with support and direction from IE. Since the partnership began in 2025, CLDP has leveraged its network of global power sector experts to provide tailored legal technical assistance to federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native regional corporations.
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Open Funding, Technical Assistance, and Other Opportunities |
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Notice of Funding Opportunity |
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Cooperative
Agreement Grant |
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Upcoming Events and Webinars |
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Aug. 13, 2026 | 3–4 p.m. ET/11 a.m.–12 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time
The webinar will provide Tribes with an overview of civilian nuclear energy technologies, uses, and the opportunities and considerations they present for Tribal communities. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of nuclear energy, emerging technologies such as small modular and microreactors, Tribal community perspectives, and DOE support. The webinar will feature speakers from IE, DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, and Tribes.
Sept. 14, 2026 | 3–4:30 p.m. ET/11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time
Explore how Tribal communities are integrating energy efficiency measures into new and existing buildings to achieve cost and energy savings. Hear directly from two Tribes that have successfully implemented these kinds of measures across multiple facilities, gaining insights from their experiences and lessons learned. This webinar will cover various types of energy efficiency measures, aiding in the evaluation of their potential suitability for your Tribe's facilities.
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