The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy, in partnership with the Western Area Power Administration, is continuing its sponsorship of DOE’s monthly tribal webinar series in 2016.

Part of DOE’s coordinated efforts to provide education and capacity-building for tribes and tribal energy resource development organizations, the 2016 Tribal Energy and Economic Development Webinar Series will feature real-world insights and advice from energy development experts, tribal energy champions, and project leaders. Each webinar will focus on a different aspect of the tribal energy project-development process, including benefits, challenges, and lessons learned. In addition, each webinar will highlight relevant online tools and resources to help guide tribes along the path to greater energy security, enhanced climate resiliency, and more stable energy costs. 

The series kicks off with Energy Planning for Tribal Economic Development on Jan. 27, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Attendees will learn from experienced tribal energy planning and development facilitators and tribal project leaders about tools and resources to establish clean, diverse, and economically viable energy plans based on energy efficiency and wise use of renewable resources, with maximum local control and ownership of energy issues. This month’s speakers are:

• Alex Dane, Project Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, supporting the Office of Indian Energy by working with a number of tribal governments in the American West and Alaska, implementing renewable projects and engaging in long-range planning efforts.
• Karen Derry, Economic Developer/Operations Manager with the Karuk Tribe’s Community Development Corporation.
• John Hendrix, Director of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, specializing in economic development in Indian Country; divestitures; and strategic analysis, planning, and implementation.
• Lesley Kabotie, President of Indigenous Collaboration, Inc., a native-owned enterprise providing event facilitation, consulting services, organizational tools, and technologies that support engagement and collaboration within tribal governments, native nonprofits, communities, and enterprises that contribute to the well-being of indigenous people.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Register now for this and other 2016 Tribal Energy and Economic Development webinars.