A snapshot of the Office of Indian Energy’s progress in advancing Tribal energy development, strengthening partnerships, and expanding opportunities across Indian Country
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
July 21, 2026
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The Office of Indian Energy (IE) is pleased to share activities and highlights from January–June 2026, demonstrating the Office’s continued support and partnerships across Indian Country.
IE partners with Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Entities to support their self-defined energy goals. This is accomplished through three key areas of support:
Financial Assistance
IE provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to develop and deploy energy infrastructure and technology.
The Office released $52.3 million in funding opportunities in early 2026:
Technical Assistance
IE offers no-cost technical assistance for federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal entities to support Tribal energy projects.
From January to May 2026, IE has:
- Completed 11 technical assistance requests.
- Initiated 22 new technical assistance requests.
- Responded to 114 Tribal Energy Navigator support inquiries.
Technical assistance delivers tangible impact across Indian Country.
- 13 completed projects resulting in a combined annual energy cost savings for the Tribes of over $1.6 million.
- 57 active projects anticipated to save Tribes a combined $11.8 million in energy costs annually.
- 3 new awards with a combined investment of more than $8 million.
- 57 megawatts of grid capacity added through generation and long duration energy storage which directly supports grid resilience and handles peak demand.
- 1.9 megawatt-hours annual savings through energy efficiency measures, equal to two months of electricity for an average home.
Capacity Building
IE helps build local Tribal capacity through a variety of engagements, communications, webinars, workshops, and workforce development opportunities.
The start of 2026 was filled with activities to engage Tribes across the nation.
Tribal Connections and Engagement Highlights
- IE Director Mahroum participated in 9 speaking engagements across 6 states.
- Appointed 20 new or returning Indian Country Energy and Infrastructure Working Group (ICEIWG) members and held 2 meetings.
- 3,500 participants attended 6 informational webinars.
- 5 newsletters distributed.
- 5 announcements made.
- 9 blogs released.
Fossil Energy Tribal Working Group (FETWG)
March 17–18, 2026, the Office of Indian Energy team participated in a FETWG meeting, led by Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office and Tribal Leaders from across Indian Country.
Reservation Economic Summit (RES) Fireside Chat
March 23–26, 2026, IE staff and leadership attended the 2026 RES in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they networked with more than 4,800 participants representing Tribal leaders and staff, top Tribal business leaders, and more in the key economic development event in Indian Country.
Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium
Earlier in April, two IE team members were able to attend the Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium held in Anchorage. With one traveling by air all the way from Washington, D.C. and the other traveling just across the city, these team members experience Alaska’s distinct geography, climate, and infrastructure realities from two different perspectives.
Santa Fe Indian School
Director Mahroum visited the Santa Fe Indian School in New Mexico where he learned about the school’s unique history. While there, he was able to view original artwork highlighting the richness of Pueblo culture, visit the greenhouse which holds native tree seedlings that contribute to reforestation activities, and tour the Cultural Arts and Language Department where singers and drummers performed a traditional song.
DOE Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office Outreach Advisor Sarah Voorhees, SFIS Principal Valerie Grimley, SFIS Superintendent Christie Abeyta, SFIS Community Based Education Program Coordinator Jolynn Martinez, and Office of Indian Energy Chief of Staff Joe Alexander joined Director Mahroum for the visit.
IE Director Priorities
IE Director Eric Mahroum has outlined four priorities that drive the Office’s activities and impact across Indian Country.
- Increase affordable, reliable, and secure electricity for all Tribes
- Facilitate public-private partnerships to unleash American energy across Indian Country
- Strengthen outreach and communications with all Tribes, inclusive of all energy resource priorities
- Invest in the Tribal energy workforce to build the pipeline for the next generation of energy leaders
“The Office of Indian Energy is building on 20 years of investment to advance affordable, reliable, and secure energy. This time, we’re moving with urgency to accelerate progress.”
Eric Mahroum, Director, Office of Indian Energy