The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) has up to $225 million to grant to tribal governments and Alaska Native entities for Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates programs. These programs will provide up to $14,000 per eligible tribal household for energy efficiency and electrification home upgrades.

Grants to Indian tribes for Tribal Rebates programs are not yet available. DOE intends to publish the full program requirements for the tribal home energy rebates in fall of 2023.

Intended Formula for Funding Allocations

On August 16, 2023, the DOE published its intended formula for the Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program funding allocations in the Federal Register. Tribes, tribal organizations, and other stakeholders are welcome to submit comment to DOE on the intended formula and other elements of the program. To submit a comment, please email irahomerebates@hq.doe.gov  and use the subject line “Comment on FRN for Tribal Rebates.”

Relevant Links & Documents

Federal Register Notice for Tribal Electrification & Appliance Rebates Intended Formula

Other Funding Sources for Tribal Housing Upgrades

DOE highly encourages Tribes to consider how to integrate their funding for Tribal Rebates with other programs for Tribal Housing Upgrades. Some of the programs that can potentially be integrated with Tribal Rebates are listed below:

• The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Electrification Program, which awards competitive grants to Tribes to electrify Tribal homes with clean electricity. Pre-applications are now open and are due Sept. 18, 2023.
• The DOE’s Tribal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which provides formula awards to Tribes for projects that reduce fossil fuel emissions or improve energy efficiency. Applications are now open and are due Jan. 31, 2024.
• The DOE’s Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, which provides bonus tax credits for renewable energy projects developed on Tribal lands and for low-income households. Applications will open in the fall of 2023.
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Housing Block Grant Program, which provides formula awards to Tribes or their Tribally-Designated Housing Entities for housing assistance.

When combining different funding sources, Tribes should keep in mind that the Tribal Rebates cannot be combined with other federal grants for the same single measure within a home energy upgrade. Tribes and Tribal partner organizations should reach out to irahomerebates@hq.doe.gov with questions about how Tribal rebates can be combined with other sources.