MURKOWSKI, SCHATZ LEAD OVERSIGHT HEARING TO EXAMINE TRIBAL ENERGY PROGRAMS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), Vice Chairman, held an Oversight Hearing entitled: "Unleashing Indian Energy - Examining Federal Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy". The hearing provided the Committee with an opportunity to examine the Department of Energy's (DOE) Tribal energy programs in greater depth and to explore potential enhancements that would enable these initiatives to more effectively support Tribal nations in developing and managing their energy resources.

"Tribal communities have long faced significant barriers to energy access and affordability, despite possessing vast untapped energy resources. Federal programs like the DOE's Office of Indian Energy have supported some successful projects - such as in Igiugig, Alaska, where they helped fund the installation of two hydrokinetic devices and energy storage technology; however, bureaucratic hurdles, high costs, and other systematic issues remain a challenge," said Chairman Murkowski. "I hope that the insights and feedback from today's hearing will help us better ensure that Tribes are poised to take advantage of their resources, build more resilient, cost-effective energy systems, and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with this administration to unleash American energy."

"Last Congress we made historic, bipartisan investments in Indian country's energy future and its ability to determine that future for itself - whether through non-renewable or renewable sources. We made progress, but over the objection of Native communities and their industry partners, legislation like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Trump administration's actions are resulting in rescission of millions in key funding for energy-neutral projects at the Department of Energy" said Vice Chairman Schatz. "Through the Inflation Reduction Act, we started to move past the status quo, but it feels like we're not even returning to that old mark, and actually going backwards."

The following witnesses participated in the Oversight Hearing:

• Mr. David F. Conrad, Acting Director and Deputy Director, Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, U.S. Department of Energy
• Dr. Anna Maria Ortiz, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Government Accountability Office
• Ms. Jocelyn Fenton, Director of Programs, Denali Commission

Video of the full Oversight Hearing can be found here.

The Committee will continue to accept written testimony until September 24, 2025. Testimony may be submitted to [email protected].