The U.S. Department of Energy is participating in the Tribal Energy Summit: A Path to Economic Sovereignty in partnership with U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Indian Energy, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Sept. 23–25, 2015, in Washington, D.C.

The Summit will bring together tribal and state governments, federal agencies, tribal corporations, private industry, utilities, and academia to explore energy development and security issues identified by Tribes and DOE's Indian Country Energy and Infrastructure Working Group (ICEIWG). It will also feature a keynote by Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and introduction by DOE Office of Indian Energy Director Chris Deschene.

Representatives from the nation’s 566 federally recognized Native American Tribes are invited to attend the Summit to identify common goals and share best practices around increased energy innovation and technology deployment on tribal lands as well as examine challenges related to energy self-sufficiency and climate preparedness.

“The summit will allow members of our nation’s tribal communities to continue the important discussions and actions that will guide the future of energy infrastructure development in Indian Country,” said Christopher Clark Deschene, Director of the DOE Office of Indian Energy. “Together the organizers have planned a program that will facilitate increased collaboration and the exploration of new energy development solutions among Tribes.”

The comprehensive program will address a broad range of energy-related topics, from tribal energy project development financing mechanisms, including deployment of grants and loan guarantee programs, to ways to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and workforce development opportunities for tribal nations.

Other federal participants will include representatives from the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency, and members of Congress and the White House Council on Native American Affairs. 

Registration is free for tribal representatives, but registration is required. Preregister by September 14. A limited number of onsite registration spaces will be available for tribal representatives. Register and find more information on the Tribal Energy Summit: A Path to Economic Sovereignty Web page or by emailing tribalenergy@ncsl.org.

The DOE Office of Indian Energy directs, fosters, coordinates and implements energy planning, education, technical assistance, grants, and programs that assist Tribes with energy development capacity building, energy infrastructure, energy costs and electrification of Indian lands and homes.