On September 28, 2023, officials from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) announced the availability of $38 million in finance for 13 projects. The purpose of this announcement was to hasten the transition of Native American and Alaska Native communities to the use of renewable energy technology. These projects were chosen by the Office of Indian Energy in order to "improve Tribal energy and economic infrastructure, resource development, and electrification on Tribal lands," as stated in a news release.
After going through a rigorous selection process, thirteen projects have been singled out for further consideration as potential award candidates. The implementation of these initiatives has as their main objective the promotion of the installation of renewable energy infrastructure in the communities inhabited by Native Americans and Inuit. A press release provides a number of examples, some of which include hydroelectric power in Alaska, biomass heating in Minnesota, energy efficiency measures in Wisconsin, solar installations in Minnesota, Oklahoma, and New York, solar PV integration with battery storage in Alaska, solar projects in Maine, and a solar apprenticeship program in Iowa.
According to a press release, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm made the following statement: "American Indian and Alaska Native communities are disproportionally affected by climate change, facing high and ever-increasing energy costs and unreliable or nonexistent energy sources." According to the administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, "the projects selected today will help Tribes build resilience and stabilize energy costs while contributing to the broader goal of a net-zero economy by the year 2050."
These enhancements would be beneficial to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, which usually struggle due to obstacles such as high energy costs and unpredictable access. It is expected that $55 million will be invested to improve the quality of life in unserved areas. This will be accomplished by providing access to 9.6 MW of renewable energy, 2,600 MWh of battery storage, and savings of over $125 million over the lifespan of the systems.
