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Education and Training

The Office of Indian Energy is working with Tribes to build tribal energy capacity through education and training. Below are materials and more information about these efforts.

FORUMS

Conventional Energy and Associated Vertical Business Development Best Practices in Indian Country

March 1, 2012 -- Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino -- Las Vegas, NV

The dynamic world of conventional energy is a critical piece of the American energy portfolio. This strategic energy forum will focus on recent trends, existing successful partnerships, and perspectives on the future of conventional energy and how Tribal business interests are evolving to meet the interests and needs of new tribal energy economies. The third of a series of planned DOE Office of Indian Energy-sponsored strategic energy development & investment forums, this Forum will provide an opportunity for Tribal leaders and executives to get real-time, regional market snapshots of: New discoveries, new production methods, associated support industry opportunities and new markets emerging in the traditional energy sector.  This Forum will also provide a venue to Tribal leaders and executives to hear directly from each other, and speak directly to each other and sector executives, regarding best practices in conventional energy project partnerships and investments.

Exploring the Business Link Opportunity: Transmission & Clean Energy Development in the West

February 7-8, 2012 -- Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel -- Denver, CO

The second in a series of planned DOE Office of Indian Energy-sponsored strategic energy development and investment forums, and co-sponsored by DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, this two-day forum will provide an opportunity for tribal leaders and executives to: interact with industry executives and federal leaders, get up to date information on transmission development and planning activities in the West, and hear the latest in trends in recent financing of clean energy projects. This forum will also provide a venue for tribal leaders and executives to hear directly from and talk directly to each other regarding best practices in tribal project partnerships and investments.  

Tribal Leader Solar Energy Forum

The first in a series of DOE Office of Indian Energy-sponsored strategic energy development and investment forums, the Solar Energy Forum was held December 19-20, 2011, in Palm Springs, California. During the event, tribal leaders received the latest updates from, and interacted directly with, tribes, industry, utilities, federal agencies and the Department of Energy on solar energy deployment efforts in the southwest. In an effort to provide information to tribes that are seeking to develop their solar resources, the forum enabled tribal leaders and staff to hear directly from experts in the solar energy development industry and engage in an interactive conversation with those experts. 

WEBCASTS

Overview of Geothermal Energy Development

On January 10, 2012, the DOE Office of Indian Energy held a webcast on developing geothermal resources on tribal lands that included an overview of: geothermal resources by region; technology options; geothermal leasing and development policies such as resource ownership, water law and rights, leasing, and development at the federal, tribal, and state levels; and financing options and strategies. Presenters: Kermit Witherbee and Paul Schwabe, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Western Area Power Administration: Electric Power Training Center Tribal Webinar Series

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, the U.S. DOE Tribal Energy Program, and the Western Area Power Administration are conducting a series of webinars that promote tribal energy sufficiency and foster economic development and employment on tribal lands through the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.  The webinars will

  1. Discuss methods for Tribes to evaluate and develop their renewable energy resources,
  2. Help them build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects,
  3. Outline a process of strategic energy planning for tribes interested in improving their energy security, sovereignty and local economy,
  4. Provide renewable energy and energy efficiency information for tribal decision makers, and
  5. Offer ways for Tribes and utilities to partner in renewable energy and energy efficiency development.

Click here for topics and dates. 

WORKSHOPS

Tribal Leader Energy Education Initiative Workshop

The Tribal Leader Energy Education Initiative Workshop held on November 1, 2011, at the National Congress of American Indians provided information about the Office of Indian Energy’s efforts to develop training curriculum on renewable energy tribal project development and financing, including how to build a framework for project development in your Tribe, and ways to identify likely projects.