U.S. DOE Announces $3.6 Million Funding To Enhance Tribal Clean Energy Collaboration

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a funding initiative of up to $3.6 million aimed at enhancing collaboration with non-profit regional intertribal organizations. The initiative, titled “Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement,” seeks to improve outreach and engagement, assisting federally recognized Tribes in navigating and accessing DOE clean energy funding and technical assistance.

Eligible non-profit regional intertribal organizations can request up to $300,000 annually for a maximum of three years. The funding will support communication, organizational capacity-building, and engagement activities, with the objective of establishing strong, effective working relationships between Tribal elected leaders, staff, and the DOE.

Key Dates and Information:

• Application Deadline: September 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET.
• Objective Strategy Session: August 15, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET. This session will provide an overview of program objectives and a Q&A segment.
• Informational Office Hours: September 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET for potential applicants to ask additional questions.

This funding opportunity is managed by ENERGYWERX in collaboration with the DOE, facilitated through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) by DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions. This collaboration aims to expand DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, accelerating the development and deployment of clean energy solutions.

“Our office is excited to use the PIA funding mechanism for the first time,” said Wahleah Johns, Director of the Office of Indian Energy. “This provides an opportunity to build partnerships with regional intertribal organizations and enhance DOE’s outreach and engagement efforts to better support Tribal Nations as they pursue their energy visions.”

Eligibility Criteria for Organizations:

• Must be a coalition of two or more federally recognized Indian Tribes.
• Established under Congressional, state, or Tribal law.
• Governed by board members who are current elected Tribal government officials.
• Operate at the direction of participating Tribes within a specific geographic region.
• Qualify as a non-profit organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
• Focus on areas other than public health or gaming.

Funding Activities May Include:

• Tracking and sharing DOE funding and technical assistance opportunities.
• Assessing member Tribes’ clean energy needs and connecting them to DOE programs.
• Organizing conferences, workshops, and events to foster dialogue and collaboration among Tribes, the energy community, and DOE.
• Enhancing DOE Tribal engagement by organizing regular meetings for DOE leadership to communicate energy policy and program information.

This initiative builds on the DOE Office of Indian Energy’s authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, aimed at accelerating clean energy technology deployment on Tribal lands. In 2023, the Office committed $75 million to Tribal energy projects and has invested over $120 million in Native communities since 2010. These investments have resulted in more than 46 megawatts of new electricity generation, powering over 8,800 Tribal buildings and contributing to the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of federal clean energy investments benefit disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.