DOE to provide $50M to support clean energy projects on Tribal lands
As part of the Biden administration’s larger push for equity, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $50 million funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for Native American Tribes to support clean energy technology deployment on Tribal lands.
Essentially, it’s an effort to guarantee Tribal nations and their members are not left behind as the rest of the country transitions to renewable energy sources. Accordingly, applications will be accepted from Alaska Native Regional Corporations, Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations among Tribal partners.
“Tribal nations are a key partner in the fight to combat the climate crisis, and their visionary leadership is critical to the nation’s transition to an equitable clean energy future,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “This new investment will help Indigenous communities everywhere make informed decisions about their own energy needs and unlock stronger economies and increased access to reliable and affordable clean energy resources.”
According to the DOE, this funding and associated projects will help lower energy costs, increase energy security and resilience, and provide power, while rebuilding trust in and dedication to treaties between the United States and its various Tribal nations.
Under the application structure, these tribes were encouraged to pitch ideas, including the installation of clean energy generation systems or energy efficiency measures, deployment of community-scale clean energy generating systems or community energy storage, installation of integrated energy systems for emergency autonomous operations outside the centralized grid, and providing power to buildings that would otherwise go unpowered.
The DOE expects to issue 10-25 awards ranging from $100,000 to $5 million, and applicants can submit more than one application as long as each application is for a different project. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 16, 2023.
