Office Updates
Upcoming Webinar for Potential Applicants: Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development—2025
Learn More About the $25 Million Funding Opportunity Announcement
📅 Thursday, Oct. 24 | 3–5:30 p.m. ET
 On Sept. 27, the Office of Indian Energy announced $25 million in funding available for clean energy planning and development through the Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development - 2025 (DE-FOA-0003401) funding opportunity announcement (FOA).
Join our informational webinar this Thursday, Oct. 24, to learn more about the opportunity and how to apply.
In addition to describing the FOA, information will be provided on who is eligible to apply, what an application needs to include, how to ask questions, and how applications will be selected for funding.
The $25 million in new funding is focused on providing Indian Tribes and eligible Tribal entities resources to plan, assess, or develop clean energy projects—creating a pipeline of projects ready for final design and clean energy technology installation.
2024 Program Review: Book Rooms by Oct. 28 for Group Rate
 The 2024 Program Review is rapidly approaching! Be sure to book your hotel rooms by Oct. 28 to receive the group rate of $139 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center.
The 2024 Program Review is open to all of Indian Country and will feature project updates from Tribes across the nation who are leveraging Office of Indian Energy grant funding to deploy clean energy technology.
The Program Review will start on Monday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. MT and conclude Friday, Nov. 22, at noon. See the draft agenda.
News
DOE Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day with Finalized Directive on Tribal Consultation
 On Oct. 9, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized its updated agency policy and order on Tribal consultation and engagement.
“These documents lay out how DOE will enhance our consultation with Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations,” Secretary Granholm said. “Among other things, we are now requiring DOE officials to take more expansive trainings on their responsibilities to Tribal Nations. We’re requiring every DOE program office and field site to designate at least one Tribal Liaison, or ‘point person’ for Tribal affairs. And we’re requiring every DOE program office to develop an implementation plan—including how they will staff, budget, and train their teams to carry out Tribal consultation.”
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Secretary Granholm also highlighted the ways Tribal Nations are leading America’s clean energy transition and DOE investments of more than half a billion dollars in Tribal clean energy projects under the Biden-Harris administration.
“During this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, DOE has a renewed opportunity to live up to our sacred treaty and trust obligations,” Granholm said. “With these updates, we will build a stronger foundation for our government-to-government relationships—so that together, we can build even stronger futures for Indigenous communities across the nation… and we can give Tribes even more power to lead America’s clean energy transition.”
FERC To Host Consultations on Petition for Rulemaking by Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will convene two virtual consultations and is accepting comments on the Petition for Expedited Rulemaking submitted by the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (ATCE) on Aug. 9, 2024.
The Petition
The petition requests FERC review the process for how power plants are interconnected to the electric grid and asks that Tribal Nations be exempt from submission of the first three commercial readiness deposits and a portion of the withdrawal penalties.
ATCE also argues that Tribal Nations face unique and unreasonably burdensome challenges to providing high levels of financial security. Thus, ATCE has asked FERC to start a new rulemaking proceeding to revisit rules about the impacts of financial requirements for Tribal Nations, including the commercial readiness deposit and withdrawal penalty framework.
The virtual consultations will take place at the following times:
In addition to the scheduled consultations, federally recognized Tribes may provide input on the petition by submitting comments by 5 p.m. ET, Nov. 18, 2024.
Learn more and submit comments.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $12 Million To Support Hydropower Facilities Across the Country
Incentive Payments to 39 Projects Ensure Generators Continue To Provide Clean, Affordable Electricity.
 On Oct. 9, DOE announced $12 million in Hydroelectric Production Incentive payments for 39 hydroelectric facilities throughout the country for electricity generated and sold in calendar year 2023.
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with consideration of facilities located in communities with inadequate electric service, the payments provide funding for electricity generated and sold from dams and other water infrastructure that add or expand hydroelectric power-generating capabilities. This funding will help ensure hydroelectric generators continue to provide clean, affordable electricity.
Selected entities include:
- Chignik Lagoon Village Council, Packers Creek Hydroelectric Project, Alaska: $4,627
- City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska: $1,000,000
- City Of Ketchikan, Alaska: $284,811
- City Of King Cove, Alaska: $44,855
- Copper Valley Electric Association, Inc., Alaska: $568,385
- Haida Energy Inc, Alaska: $161,881
- Kodiak Electric Association, Alaska: $1,000,000.
Apply To Join Energy Leadership Accelerator for Remote and Island Communities
 The Energy Leadership Accelerator Program is a new international network program designed to connect energy leaders from remote and islanded communities, including those in Alaska, Hawai'i, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories, to advance local energy projects and workforce development.
This program pairs professional development with peer-networking opportunities and is ideal for individuals leading remote community energy initiatives. The 6-month program runs January to June. Energy leaders looking to drive local, resilient energy futures are encouraged to apply.
The application is open through Thursday, Oct. 31.
Funding Opportunities
Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- TCUs Prize and Funding Opportunity Announcement
-
NEW: Clean Energy Careers for All
- Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership
- 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Competition
- Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas.
TCUs Prize and Funding Opportunity Announcement
$9 million
On Sept. 26, the Office of Indian Energy announced over $9 million in funding and prizes to support Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in their efforts to advance clean energy projects and bolster food sovereignty initiatives on their campuses.
Clean Energy Careers for All
$3 million
Phase 1 submissions due Dec. 13.
This opportunity will award nearly $3 million to nonprofit educational organizations to support new or expanded workforce development programs that promote awareness and interest in clean energy careers among K-12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
DOE will accept applications promoting key clean energy sectors, including renewable energy, building energy efficiency, energy storage, advanced materials and manufacturing, and electric vehicles, among others.
Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership
Apply by Dec. 20.
This technical assistance and funding opportunity is focused on electrically isolated and underserved communities in Alaska, Hawaii, and Tribal lands in the Great Plains and Southwest. Participants can plan a resilient microgrid system, make improvements on an existing system, build workforce capacity, or add renewable energy.
2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Competition
$965 million
Applications due Jan. 9, 2025.
Applicants can request up to $325,000 per bus for up to 50 buses per application to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emissions models. Funds can be used to cover bus and infrastructure costs for awardees requesting electric school buses, as well as eligible training costs for bus drivers, electricians, and others working with the new buses or infrastructure.
Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Tribally controlled schools, along with public school districts and other school transportation agencies and third parties.
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas: Fiscal Year 2025 Release
$400 million
Concept papers due Feb. 27, 2025; full applications due Aug. 28, 2025.
On Oct. 3, DOE opened applications to spur innovative, community-focused, clean energy solutions for rural and remote communities across the United States. The funding will include federal awards from $2–$50 million to help communities lead in developing tailored clean energy projects best suited for their unique needs.
 The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor was awarded up to $10 million through the previous round of funding to construct a run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility capable of generating about 3,470 MWh of energy annually and offsetting diesel fuel use at the local power plant by 95%.
Events
- DOE Justice Week 2024: Equity in Action
- Tribal Home Energy Rebates Office Hours
- Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development FOA Webinar
- National Conference of American Indians Convention and Marketplace
- Office of Indian Energy 2024 Program Review
- BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference
- Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy Conference.
DOE Justice Week 2024: Equity in Action
📅 Oct. 22–24 | 10 a.m.—5 p.m. ET
DOE's Justice Week 2024: Equity in Action is a hybrid event spotlighting the work that DOE is doing to advance energy justice and equity.
Tribal Home Energy Rebates Office Hours
📅 Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17 | 4 p.m. ET
During these sessions, DOE will provide technical assistance to Tribes and Tribal representatives working on Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates funding applications.
Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development FOA Webinar
📅 Oct. 24 | 3 p.m. ET
The Office of Indian Energy will provide information to potential applicants on the Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development FOA.
IRS Office Hours for Elective Pay and Transferability of Clean Energy Credits
📅 Oct. 30; Nov. 13 | 1–2:30 p.m. ET
The IRS is hosting office hours to assist organizations and entities with the prefiling registration process and the IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool for elective payment and transferability of clean energy and CHIPS credits. Subject matter experts from Large Business and International and Tax Exempt/Government Entities are available to answer questions.
For more information, visit IRS.gov/tribes or IRS.gov/cleanenergy.
National Congress of American Indians: 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace
📅 Oct. 27–Nov. 1 | Las Vegas, Nevada
Join the National Congress of American Indians to celebrate more than eight decades of defending Tribal sovereignty and advancing the rights of Tribal Nations.
Office of Indian Energy 2024 Program Review
📅 Nov. 18–22 | Denver, Colorado
This annual event is an opportunity for Tribal Leaders and staff to meet, learn from other Tribes pursuing clean energy projects, and share in each other's successes.
34th Annual BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference
📅 Dec. 3–5 | Anchorage, Alaska
The 34th annual BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference is scheduled for December 3–5, 2024, at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage.
Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability 7th Annual Conference
📅 Jan. 27–29 | Hollywood, Florida
This conference will focus on the newly changing landscape for Tribal energy development and sustainability, including best practices, federal leadership, policy and regulatory changes, funding a project, and project planning/development trends.
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