PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
On July 21, 2011, Secretary Steven Chu announced that 31 tribal energy projects would receive $6.3 million over two years as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's ongoing efforts to support tribal energy development and continue strengthening the partnership with Tribal Nations. These competitively selected projects will allow Native American Tribes to advance clean energy within their communities by developing strategic energy plans, expanding the skills and knowledge of tribal members, and improving the energy efficiency of their buildings. More here.
The Department of Energy is in the early stages of beginning a review of the current Weatherization Assistance Program regulations (10 CFR Part 440) and is committed to consulting with tribal government through this review process. We will follow up with additional information shortly, but if you have any comments or questions regarding this regulatory review process, please e-mail them to: TribalConsultation@Hq.Doe.Gov and we will respond as soon as we can.
OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE)
The Tribal Energy Program offers financial and technical assistance to Indian tribes to help them evaluate and develop their renewable energy resources and reduce their energy consumption through efficiency and weatherization. As building knowledge and skills is essential to developing, implementing, and sustaining energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, the program also offers education and training opportunities.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
Intended to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes to develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs designed to: •Reduce fossil fuel emissions; •Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; •Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and •Create and retain jobs. Through formula and competitive grants, the Program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation's long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance of dwellings of needy families using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry.
Federal Energy Management Program
The Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) facilitates the Federal Government's implementation of sound, cost-effective energy management and investment practices to enhance the nation's energy security and environmental stewardship.
The Federal Government, as the nation's largest energy consumer, has a tremendous opportunity and clear responsibility to lead by example. FEMP is central to this responsibility, guiding agencies to use funding more effectively in meeting Federal and agency-specific energy management objectives.
OFFICE OF ELECTRICITY DELIVERY AND ENERGY RELIABILITY
State and Regional Policy Assistance
The Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE)'s mission with regard to State and Regional Policy Assistance is to provide, on an as-requested basis, unbiased policy assistance and analysis to States and regions on State electricity policies, programs, laws, and regulations that facilitate electricity infrastructure investment needed to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to customers.
OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY
DOE has created a network of seven Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) to help develop the technology, infrastructure, and regulations to implement large-scale CO2 sequestration in different regions and geologic formations within the Nation. Underlying this Regional Partnership approach is the belief that local organizations and citizens will contribute expertise, experience, and perspectives that more accurately represent the concerns and desires of a given region, thereby resulting in the development and application of technologies better suited to that region.
LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM
http://loanprograms.energy.gov/
Section 1703 of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy to support innovative clean energy technologies that are typically unable to obtain conventional private financing due to high technology risks. In addition, the technologies must avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. Technologies we will consider include: biomass, hydrogen, solar, wind/hydropower, nuclear, advanced fossil energy coal, carbon sequestration practices/technologies, electricity delivery and energy reliability, alternative fuel vehicles, industrial energy efficiency projects, and pollution control equipment. Technologies with more than three implementations that have been active for more than five years are excluded. Title XVII specifies that the Energy Department must receive either an appropriation for the Credit Subsidy Cost (CSC) – the expected long-term liability to the Federal Government in issuing the loan guarantee – or payment of that cost by the borrower. Under Section 1703, borrowers pay the CSC directly. In some cases, however, 1703 projects may also be eligible under 1705, thereby qualifying them for appropriated CSC.
POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS
Bonneville Power Administration
Tribal Set Aside for Low Income Weatherization
The Bonneville Power Administration has a long-standing commitment to provide funding for weatherization services to low-income households. In 1999, BPA specifically set aside funding to be targeted towards Native American homes to improve the installation of weatherization measures in both Indian Country and throughout the service territory of its public utility customers.
OFFICE OF SCIENCE
Support for education and training for TCU students in STEM
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC IMPACT AND DIVERSITY
Coordinates DOE’s Small Business Program through the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), which targets 8(a) businesses, including tribally-owned businesses, Alaska Native Corporations, and other Native American businesses, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. OSDBU host an annual conference with more than 1,600 participants, and quarterly Business Opportunity Sessions that are aimed at providing information on contract and subcontract opportunities, as well as energy technologies. OSDBU outreach events provide participants an opportunity to network with up to 200 buyers that awarded more than $6.0 billion in prime and subcontract awards in FY 2010.
American Indian Research and Education Initiative
The Office of Economic Impact and Diversity began a unique partnership between the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research and education funding to American Indian students at our Nation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities and other universities. Through this pilot program, the resources of the Energy Department – including technology and research capabilities, equipment and staff – will be matched with the drive of American Indian students to assist Tribal communities in developing and managing energy resources. Over the next three years, the Energy Department will provide a record-high amount of funding to tribal students.