Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands
Links: Sam.gov listing (includes other programs); U.S. Department of Energy FY2022 Notice of Intent
The Energy Technology Deployment program aims to accelerate the deployment of energy infrastructure on Tribal lands.
Average award: $1,058,000 for FY2021
Number of awards: 7 awards in FY2021
Cost share/matching required: Yes
Most recent deadline: February 11, 2021
Expected Award Cycle: Annual
The first time the competition was offered was in 2020, with the deadline extended several times through modifications. The Department of Energy (DOE) anticipates making awards with a period of performance of one to two years and no longer than three years. The department projects issuing a new Funding Opportunity Announcement in Summer of 2022.
The Energy Technology Deployment of Tribal Lands program supports projects that reduce or stabilize energy costs and increase energy security and resiliency for Indian Tribes and tribal members. The program is intended to promote energy independence, economic development, with the ancillary benefit of providing employment on Tribal Lands through the use of commercially warrantied clean energy technologies that Native Americans and Alaska Natives believe are best suited to meet their needs, their location, and their available energy resources. The program anticipates 2022’s announcement to provide funding in the following areas
- Area of Interest 1: Install clean energy generating system(s) and/or energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal Building(s).
- Area of Interest 2: Deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or energy storage on Tribal Lands.
- Area of Interest 3: Install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple essential Tribal Buildings during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience.
In 2021, $7,410,364 was awarded with awards ranging from $168,000 to $3,000,000. Under the planned 2022 cycle, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy anticipates making awards that range from $100,000 to $2,000,000 or from $250,000 to $4,000,000, depending on the Area of Interest. The first cycle of this award required 50% cost share; however, notice of the planned 2022 FOA lists a 20% recipient cost share with a potential ability to apply for a reduced cost share of not less than 10% based on poverty rate and median household income of the tribal community relative to the statewide median household income.
Applicants must be (1) an Indian Tribe; (2) Intertribal Organization, or (3) Tribal Energy Development Organization; and (4) on whose Tribal Lands the project(s) will be located. A consortium of Indian Tribes is eligible but a single Indian Tribe acting as Applicant. Tribal Lands include:
- Indian lands (lands within an Indian Reservation, land held in trust, land located in a census tract in which the majority of residents are Natives of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act or persons who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe or village;
- Lands held in fee simple (purchased or owned) by an eligible entity;
- Land held under a long-term land lease by an eligible entity; and
- Land that was conveyed to a Native Corporation pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.) and subsequently conveyed to a Native village or Tribal governmental entity or the land is held, invested, managed for and on behalf of a Native village or Tribal governmentalentity.
Tribally-owned or controlled building are those where the eligible entity has the authority to augment or modify the building and where the building is either owned by the eligible entity or tribal members, or the eligible entity has a long-term lease. Tribal buildings may include, but are not limited to, tribal member homes, schools, community buildings, clinics/hospitals, tribal government buildings, fire stations, police stations, radio stations, washaterias, utility facilities, tribal casinos, or tribal businesses.
- $183,960 to Blackfeet Community College (MT) in 2020 for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on four campus buildings (business division, child care center, fitness center, and media center).
- $501,267 to the San Xavier District of Tohono O’odham Nation (AZ) in 2020 for grid-tied solar PV systems for the San Xavier District Administration Building and the San Xavier Education Center.
- $378,528 to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (CO) in 2021 for solar PV systems on seven tribal facilities in White Mesa, Utah including an Education Center with a Head Start preschool.
Submit application via Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Exchange at www.eere-exchange.energy.gov/. Application components in the 2020 cycle included application for federal assistance, summary/abstract, summary slide, technical volume description, workplan, project metrics data file, options analysis, feasibility study and energy audit(s), eligibility statements and evidence, Tribal Council resolution or declaration of commitment and cost sharing file, participant letters of commitment and cost sharing file, resumes, applicant and subrecipient budget justification workbooks, budget support, audit, site and resource maps and graphics, design and engineering file, economics file, subcontract plan file, registration certifications, disclosure of lobbying activities, and waiver request.
Lizana K. Pierce, Program Officer
720.356.1749
[email protected]
[email protected]