United States Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm accompanied over 700 Tribal leaders at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Tribal Clean Energy Summit held at Pechanga Resort Casino on Feb. 27. At the summit, Secretary Granholm announced that the DOE has selected to fund 12 Tribal projects focusing on cleaner energy. This announcement follows President’s Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Energy Improvements in rural or remote areas in 2023. This law grants over 366 million dollars to 17 projects across 20 states and 30 tribal nations and communities to stimulate clean energy development and deployment in rural and remote areas.
Secretary Granholm stated that “70 percent of these awards went to Tribal Nations and Tribal Projects, and collectively these projects will receive the largest amount in DOE history, over $200 million.” Additionally, the 17 projects receiving funding abut or are located within disadvantaged communities with pollution issues that have historically been underserved.
Among the 12 Tribal projects receiving funding is the Navajo and Hopi nation who endeavor to install battery and solar panel storage systems which will provide energy for up to 300 homes. Additional projects are predicted to save households in the Taos Pueblo region $700 per year due to the transition towards clean energy. The Chignik Hydroelectric Dam and Water Source Project in Chignik Bay, Alaska, will renovate a 70 year old leaking dam and include a 2.1 megawatt- hour (MWh) hydroelectric facility. This new hydroelectric facility will supersede the community’s existing diesel consumption providing power for homes, economic activities and businesses. Furthermore, the project team will also regenerate the community’s water supply with over 6 million dollars of investment.
Generally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will facilitate the building of microgrids for community health centers and energy projects in rural and remote regions. These microgrids will ensure that community health centers receive electricity for critical life saving equipment. Funds will also go towards constructing a new hydroelectric facility on Tribal lands, promoting accessibility to reliable affordable energy.
Secretary Granholm stated that “President Biden firmly believes that every community should benefit from the nation’s historic transition to a clean energy future, especially those in rural and remote areas. Thanks to the President’s investing in America’s agenda, DOE is helping revitalize communities across America, ensuring thriving businesses, reliable access to clean energy and exciting new economic opportunities now and for generations to come.”
To learn more about the projects selected for DOE award negotiation, visit the Office of Clean Energy demonstrations at https://www.energy.gov/oced/energy-improvements-rural-or-remote-areas-selections-award-negotiations
