Office Highlights Timeline of Major Achievements Since Being Authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
November 18, 2025
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2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Energy Office (DOE) of Indian Energy, since being authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
The Office of Indian Energy partners with Tribes across the lower 48 and Alaska to advance their energy visions and goals. In the last two decades, the impact of our investments include:
- More than 250 Tribal energy projects funded
- Added 63 megawatts of power generation to Tribal lands
- Nearly 11,000 Tribal buildings affected
- Initiated saving $535 million over the life of the projects
- $3.38 saved for every DOE dollar invested.
Timeline
The timeline below highlights some of the Office’s milestones and achievements over the past 20 years:
2005
- Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed Aug. 8, establishing the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE)
2009
- First Funding Opportunity Announcement issued by DOE for energy improvements on Indian lands
- First Congressional appropriations for IE
2011
- IE formally opened after appointing first director, Tracey LeBeau
- Indian Country Energy Infrastructure Working Group (ICEIWG) established
- Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) program launched to deliver competitive experience-based assistance with project planning, development, and financing
- IE marks 100th Tribal technical assistance request since 2005 origin
2012
- Foundational Tribal energy courses launched online to support Tribal energy capacity
2013
- Tribal energy webinar series began
2016
- IE marks 200th Tribal technical assistance request since 2005 origin
2020
- Energy Act of 2020 reauthorized IE programs
2021
- IE office established in Alaska
2022
- IE marks 300th Tribal technical assistance request since 2005 origin
- 20th annual IE Program Review held in Denver, Colorado
2023
- First class of Tribal Energy Innovator Fellows selected
- Tribal Electricity Access and Reliability Report to Congress published
2025
- Technical Assistance expanded through partnership with U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance the legal environment for energy sector commerce
- Expanded IE Tribal Energy Navigation Support to move Tribal energy projects forward
"For the last 20 years, we have supported Tribes in developing and pursuing their energy visions; lowering costs; increasing reliability; and expanding opportunity."
–David Conrad
Acting/Deputy Director, Office of Indian Energy