Michael Spencer joined the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy as a technical assistance specialist/technical project officer in Oct. 2024. Duty-stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Michael serves in the technical assistance group to support Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Tribal and intertribal organizations.
Having lived in Alaska for more than half a century, Michael has witnessed its transformation from a young state full of excitement and action to the current concerns of rapidly rising fuel costs, outdated homes, and emerging technologies. Michael has spent the last 30 years in residential construction and energy auditing, as well as managing state and federal programs that help homeowners with the energy efficiency of their homes. One such program was the Alaska State Rebate program. Within this program, hundreds of millions of dollars went toward helping residents improve the efficiency of their homes, saving the average homeowner nearly 35% off their energy bills.
Michael sees a great opportunity with the Office of Indian Energy to work with urban and rural communities to bring energy stability to their regions. While Michael doesn’t hunt, fish, or camp, when he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family in Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness.