Through the Indian Country Energy and Infrastructure Working Group (ICEIWG), the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy works to collaborate with and seek out real-time tribal expertise and experiences representing obstacles and opportunities in energy and related infrastructure development as well as capacity building in Indian Country. The ICEIWG represents the Department’s commitment to work collaboratively with Indian Country, and the goal of this active, ongoing dialogue is to reflect the priorities and needs of Indian Country to the Energy Secretary and the Director of Indian Energy.
The Working Group is pleased to announce the following newly appointed members:
- Blue Lake Rancheria: Jana Ganion, BLR Energy Director
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: Harrison Ben, Tribal Council Representative
- Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township: Joseph Socobasin, Tribal Chief
- Seminole Tribe of Florida: James E. Billie, Chairman
- Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe: Robert Shepherd, Chairman
- Three Affiliated Tribes: Tex Hall, Chairman
- Yurok Tribe: Susan Masten, Vice Chairperson
These members join the following existing Working Group members:
- Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon: Jim Manion, Warm Springs Power General Manager
- Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians: William Micklin, CEO
- Gila River Indian Community: Barney Enos, Jr., District 4 Community Council
- Ho-Chunk Nation: Susan Weber, Representative
“The Working Group is honored to welcome these new members and would like to thank our current and previous members for their time and commitment,” said DOE Office of Indian Energy Director Tracey LeBeau. “I look forward to the new members’ contributions to our collaborative efforts focused on supporting tribal energy development, providing reliable and affordable energy to tribal communities, and encouraging the appropriate development of electrical infrastructure development on Indian lands.”
The Working Group, which was established in May 2011, is hosted, managed, and supported as a program initiative of the DOE Office of Indian Energy. The Working Groups assists in surveys, analysis, and recommendations related to those program and policy initiatives required to fulfill the DOE statutory authorizations and requirements of Title V of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Working Group objectives include:
- Survey and assess the current state of Indian energy, energy business, and energy infrastructure development and needs,
- Exchange information about energy development practices, needs, obstacles, and potential solutions, including alternative approaches to energy development in its various but relevant forms
- Develop and disseminate to the public and prospective technology partners information about tribal resources and opportunities
- Share information, transfer lessons-learned, and inform and be informed on current policy, procedures, and industry partnership mechanisms.
Learn more about the ICEIWG.