DOE will award up to $15M for energy technology on tribal lands

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will award up to $15 million to deploy energy technology on tribal lands.

The funding, which comes through the DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, will be used to support Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations.

“It is critical that Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives have the ability and tools available to them to harness and utilize the energy resources on their sovereign land,” U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes said. “This funding will enable tribal communities to maximize deployment of energy technologies, strengthening their infrastructure, resource development, and ultimately their energy security.”

The DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs is soliciting applications to install energy generating systems and energy efficiency measures for tribal buildings; deploy energy generating systems or energy storage on tribal lands; install integrated energy systems for autonomous operation to power a single facility or multiple essential tribal facilities during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience; or deploy energy infrastructure or integrated energy systems to electrify tribal buildings.

“Indian Country is primed to be a leader in this nation in different aspects of energy development—and with 574 tribes across the country, that’s 574 different energy development goals,” Kevin Frost, director of the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, said. “Accordingly, this FOA is fuel- and technology-neutral, meaning it allows tribes to use the breadth of energy resources available to them in their pursuit of sovereignty and self-determination.”

Applications are due July 1, 2020. An informational webinar will be held April 7 at 3:00 p.m. (EST).

The selected projects – which will be 50 percent cost shared — are intended to stabilize or reduce energy costs and increase energy security for Indian Tribes and tribal members.