WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $17 million in new funding to deploy energy infrastructure on tribal lands. This funding through the DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs will support Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, interested in harnessing their vast undeveloped energy resources.
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) builds on efforts by the DOE Office of Indian Energy and the authorities granted to the DOE Office of Indian Energy under EPAct 2005 to accelerate the deployment of energy infrastructure on tribal lands. This FOA is consistent with the principles of tribal sovereignty and self-determination, with an all of-the-above energy strategy that recognizes the breadth of energy resources on tribal lands, and each tribe’s right to use them as they see fit. Projects sought under this FOA are fuel and technology neutral.
“Through this funding opportunity, the Department will continue its efforts to maximize the deployment of energy solutions for the benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives and help build the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to implement those solutions,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.
“Alaska’s more than 200 villages and rural communities make up about one-fifth of the population of our state,” Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said. “The cultures, languages, and geography are incredibly diverse, but one common challenge in these communities is the extremely high cost of energy. Congress has recognized this challenge and continued to fund the Office of Indian Energy to help address it. The investments made through this program will help generate cleaner energy and reduce energy costs, which is critical in Alaska Native and Native American communities alike.”
Through grants awarded as result of this FOA, DOE intends to provide financial support under the provisions of the Title V of EPAct 2005. Specifically, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations (hereafter referred collectively as “Indian Tribes”), Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to:
Topic Area 1: Install energy generating system(s) and/or energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal Building(s)
Topic Area 2: Deploy community-scale energy generating system(s) on Tribal Lands
Topic Area 3: Install energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple essential tribal facilities during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience
Applications may also be submitted on behalf of an Indian Tribe(s) by an authorized Tribal Organization, provided evidence of that authority is included as part of the application. See the FOA for all eligibility requirements.
The intended results of the 50% cost-shared projects selected under this FOA are to reduce or stabilize energy costs and increase energy security and resilience for Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages.
The full FOA is available online. Applications are due May 1, 2019.
An informational webinar was held March 14, 2019, to describe the FOA in detail, presenters discussed who is eligible to apply, what an application needs to include, cost share and other requirements, how to ask questions, and how applications will be selected for funding. Watch the video and download and view the presentation.
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