Over the next two years, 31 energy projects conducted by America’s Tribal Nations will receive a total $6.3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, Secretary Steven Chu announced on July 21.
"Tribal Nations are well-positioned to take advantage of the benefits of clean energy and energy efficient technologies," said Chu. "Projects such as these will save energy and money, create long-term clean-energy jobs, and spur economic development in Tribal communities nationwide."
The more than $6 million in DOE funding will be split three ways, with $2.1 million for energy efficiency feasibility studies, more than $2.1 million for first-steps projects, and more than $2 million for energy efficiency installation projects on tribal lands.
DOE announced the availability of funding for these Tribal energy projects in January. Funding for another group of Tribal clean energy projects will be announced later this summer.
Specifically, the awards cover the following areas:
- Feasibility Studies - Nine Tribal initiatives will involve energy assessments to identify opportunities for future cost-effective building upgrades.
- First Steps Planning - Seventeen projects will entail strategic planning, energy options analysis, energy organization development (e.g., utilities or Tribal committees), and workforce training and certification as the first steps toward a clean energy future.
- Installation Projects - Five projects on Tribal lands will implement energy efficient upgrades in their buildings that will help reduce electricity or heating and cooling costs by 30 percent or more.
There are now 562 federally recognized Tribal Nations. These grants are administered by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), which in coordination with the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE) under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Title V authorizations, provides financial and technical assistance to Indian Tribes for the evaluation and development of their energy resources, implementation of energy efficiency to reduce energy use, and provides education and training to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects.
For details on each of the 31 Tribal projects, visit the DOE website; which also offers a complete guide to the Tribal Energy Program.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
