Office Updates
TCU Prize Deadline Extended to Friday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. ET
 The TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize deadline is extended to this Friday, Dec. 6 (tomorrow) at 5 p.m. ET. Tribal College and University student teams can win a cash prize of $40,000 for their TCU.
View the full update for more information and tips.
Reminder: December 18 Application Deadline for $5 Million Tribal Colleges and Universities Funding Opportunity
 Applications are due by December 18 for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Planning for Clean Energy Funding Opportunity Announcement.
This $5 million funding opportunity will support Tribal Colleges and Universities in planning the transition of their campuses to clean energy.
No recipient cost share is required.
View the October 17 webinar recording to learn more about eligibility, what an application needs to include, cost share and other requirements, how to ask questions, and how applications will be selected for funding.
Celebrating Tribal Energy Success at the 2024 Program Review
 Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2024 Program Review! The event took place Nov. 18–22 in Denver, Colorado, and we are already looking forward to next year's Program Review.
Over 5 days, project teams presented progress updates on roughly 60 Tribal energy projects.
View our Flickr photo collection to see 70+ photos from the event. Presentation slides will be posted on our website in the coming weeks.
News
DOE Honors Indigenous Tribes With Native American Heritage Month Observation
 Miss Chief Rocka performed the Jingle Dress Dance to open DOE’s Native American Heritage Month Observance.
The long-standing relationship between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Tribal Nations across the country was celebrated as part of Native American Heritage Month during an observance held at DOE’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The theme, “Finding the Good Path: Where Indian Country and Energy Meet,” evoked the history of collaboration between Tribes and DOE, as well as the future of clean energy on Indigenous lands.
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm shared that she has been reflecting on the adage: “Leadership is planting trees under whose shade you will never sit.” She recounted her visit to the Pechanga Reservation and standing beneath the canopy of Wi’áaşal, one of the oldest oak trees in the world, during the DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit early this year.
Everett Waller, Chairman of the Osage Minerals Council, served as the keynote speaker and discussed the importance of having a strong, supportive working relationship with DOE, while also stressing the need to recognize and respect Tribal sovereignty.
Read more about the event.
New Microgrid Program To Help Underserved and Indigenous Communities
 The Partnership held an informational webinar on Nov. 11, 2024, to cover the structure, technical focus, and eligibility criteria.
The DOE Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership will provide support to underserved and Indigenous communities in remote, rural, and islanded regions throughout the United States, including Tribal Nations, to develop or improve microgrid systems.
The pilot program will focus on communities in Alaska, Hawaii, and Tribal lands, primarily in the Great Plains and Southwest. DOE is currently accepting proposals from these communities and the energy utilities that serve them until Dec. 20, 2024.
View the webinar recording and slides to learn more.
Communities LEAP Final Report Highlights Successes and Lessons Learned
 DOE announced the publication of the Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program) pilot final report, which details the program’s technical assistance phases, highlights successes from communities, and discusses lessons learned that will be applied to the second cohort. Check out the report here.
During the program, 24 communities, including the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, received technical assistance for various clean energy pathways. Communities now have actionable resources to improve environmental conditions and facilitate sustained economic empowerment.
Funding Opportunities
Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- Transmission Acceleration Grants
- Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development
- Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program.
Transmission Acceleration Grants Program
$10 million
Apply by Jan. 21, 2025.
The Transmission Acceleration Grants Program, announced Oct. 31, will support state and Tribal efforts to accelerate and improve transmission siting and permitting and strengthen transmission planning for critical transmission lines (100 kV or greater) in any area of the country.
Eligible participants are state or Tribal entities, or entities working with them such as regional transmission planning organizations, regional-state committees, or not-for-profit organizations.
Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development—2025
$25 million
Applications due Jan. 23.
Under this FOA, the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to:
- Conduct clean energy planning
- Comprehensively assess the feasibility and viability of deploying clean energy technology
- Conduct clean energy design and development activities.
DOE expects to make approximately $25 million of federal funding available under this FOA, with approximately 20–40 awards that range from $100,000 to $2,500,000.
Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
$225 million
Tribes have until May 31, 2025, to apply for their funding.
DOE has up to $225 million to grant to Tribal governments and Alaska Native entities for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. This program will provide up to $14,000 per eligible household for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades.
New Resources for Tribes: DOE Issues Revised Tribal Resources, Quality Installation Guide, Market Transformation Sample Plans, New and Updated FAQs.
Events
- White House Tribal Nations Summit
- Capacity Accelerator for Tribal Offshore Wind Engagement
- Tribal Home Energy Rebates Office Hours
- ATNI Winter Convention
- Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy Conference.
White House Tribal Nations Summit
📅 Dec. 9 | Washington, D.C.
The Tribal Nations Summit, established by Executive Order 13647, is the flagship annual convening of the federal government and Indian Country and reflects the Biden–Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening Nation-to-Nation relationships. The summit reinforces the fundamental principles of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal self-determination, and the federal government’s trust responsibility, in order that Native Nations and Native peoples thrive, prosper, and retain their reserved rights.
Capacity Accelerator for Tribal Offshore Wind Engagement
📅 Dec. 11 | 1–2 p.m. ET
DOE seeks to support the vital role of Tribal Nations and Tribal collaboratives in offshore wind energy decision-making processes. Share your ideas on how DOE should design such an effort by joining the strategy session webinar on Dec. 11, 2024. Follow the capacity accelerator website for details and updates, including the webinar recording and frequently asked questions.
Tribal Home Energy Rebates Office Hours
📅 Dec. 17 | 4 p.m. ET
During this session, DOE will provide technical assistance to Tribes and Tribal representatives working on Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates funding applications.
ATNI Winter Convention
📅 Jan. 26–30 | Portland, Oregon
ATNI Conventions are where members convene for discussion, presentations, and the work of the committees in regard to policy, legislation, and the future of Indian Country in the Northwest.
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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