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Tribal Colleges Access U.S. Energy Funds
The latest investment in creating reliable and sustainable electricity generation for Tribal communities includes nearly $15 million in grant funding for tribal colleges and universities across the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy announced the funding opportunity after granting $50 million to deploy clean energy technology in Indian Country. The need for energy reliability and access is great in these communities, said Wahleah Johns, director of the Office of Indian Energy.
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $15 million in grants for tribal colleges and universities to boost clean energy development and create more reliable and sustainable electricity generation for these communities. Many communities lack access to basic services such as running water, electricity, and broadband internet, leading to the development of micro-grids or installation of solar panels.
Tribal colleges and universities will use the latest grants to reduce campus electricity costs while training students who can support a renewable energy economy in tribal communities. The Blackfeet Community College in Montana has already found success with the construction of a smart building and installation of solar panels on campus buildings.
The U.S. Department of Energy is providing nearly $15 million in grant funding for tribal colleges and universities across the country to develop clean energy solutions, according to director of the agency’s Office of Indian Energy, Wahleah Johns. The grants are aimed at helping to reduce campus electricity costs and training students to support a renewable energy economy in tribal communities. Between 2010 and 2022, the Office of Indian Energy invested more than $120 million in over 210 tribal energy projects across the U.S. which Johns says have been led by tribes out of necessity due to the lack of infrastructure in rural areas.
According to Wahleah Johns, director of the Office of Indian Energy, the transition to renewable energy for the Navajo Nation and Moapa Band of Paiutes needs to be culturally sensitive, given the importance of preserving sacred sites and cultural resources. She emphasized that the lack of infrastructure in tribal communities has contributed to the energy crisis, and the needed investments stretch into the billions of dollars. In addition, mounting pressures from climate change must also be addressed. The office has been working to develop a long-term strategy that supports energy resilience in tribal communities and helps them navigate the challenges of development and deployment.
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