09/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/27/2024 13:05
$18.8 Million Awarded to Six American Indian and Alaska Native Communities to Install Cost-Saving, Clean Energy Infrastructure with an Additional $25 Million in Funding Available for Future Planning and Development Projects on Tribal Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today nearly $44 million for Tribal communities to deploy clean energy solutions that will bring energy security and resilience and help lower energy costs. Six American Indian and Alaska Native communities located in five states will receive $18.8 million in funding to install solar and wind energy infrastructure which will provide 5.6-megawatts (MW) of clean energy generation and battery storage for over 100 Tribal buildings. An additional $25 million in funding will be made available through a new funding opportunity announcement for Tribal communities to plan, assess, and develop clean energy projects. These investments bring our nation closer to the Biden-Harris Administration's goal to enhance Tribal energy sovereignty, while achieving an equitable clean energy future.
"Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the DOE has provided historic funding for Tribal communities and today's announcement doubles down on our commitments to ensuring these communities remain in the driver's seat as together we deploy clean, stable and affordable power to those that need it most," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "Tribal Nations are helping to lead the way as we transition to build more cost-effective, stronger, and resilient communities for the future."
The six cost-shared energy projects selected today are the result of a competitive funding opportunity announcement released Feb. 27, 2024. Through these grants, the DOE Office of Indian Energy will continue its efforts to advance Tribal energy sovereignty and maximize the deployment of clean, reliable, affordable, and local energy solutions. Collectively, these projects are estimated to result in nearly 5.6-MW of clean energy generation and over 3.2-megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage, impacting over 100 Tribal buildings and saving those communities nearly $54 million over the life of those systems. These investments will yield tangible results year after year to improve the quality of life for these underserved communities.
The projects competitively selected for negotiation of award, in alphabetical order, are:
Through a new $25 million funding opportunity announcement, the DOE Office of Indian Energy anticipates making approximately 20-40 awards that range from $100,000 to $2,500,000 for projects that support the planning, assessment, and development of clean energy for Tribal buildings or on Tribal lands.
Applications are due at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23, 2025. To learn more, join an informational webinar on Oct. 24, 2024.
About the DOE Office of Indian Energy
DOE funds a wide variety of clean energy projects to support Tribes in realizing their energy visions. From 2010 through 2024, DOE's Office of Indian Energy has invested over $190 million in more than 240 Tribal energy projects implemented across the contiguous 48 states and in Alaska. These projects, valued collectively at over $300 million, are leveraged by more than $125 million in recipient cost-share. Find information about current funding opportunities and learn more on the DOE Office of Indian Energy website.