$366 Million Allocated for Tribal Clean Energy

By Isaac White.

The Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a groundbreaking investment exceeding $366 million. This investment, a critical component of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, is poised to launch 17 innovative projects across 20 states and 30 Tribal Nations and communities. Aimed at bolstering clean energy deployment in the nation’s most isolated and underserved regions, this initiative is a testament to the administration’s commitment to fostering an equitable, sustainable energy future.

The funding, a direct outcome of the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is designed to empower rural and remote areas through diverse, community-driven energy projects. From constructing resilient microgrids that safeguard community health centers to developing hydroelectric facilities on Tribal lands, the initiative promises to enhance energy reliability and affordability, thereby nurturing safer, more resilient communities. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized, “This investment ensures that the transition to a clean energy future is inclusive, touching every community, especially those historically left behind.”

Central to this initiative is the alignment with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to advance energy and environmental justice. The initiative ensures that the projects benefit disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by pollution and underinvestment. These areas, characterized by their limited population and geographical isolation, face daunting energy challenges, including exorbitant electric bills and frequent power outages. The DOE’s 2023 report highlighted the stark reality in Tribal communities, with a significant portion of homes without electricity and facing monthly power disruptions.

The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, managed by the DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), spearheads these projects. By leveraging DOE’s expertise in resilient energy solutions, the program aims to address the unique challenges faced by rural and remote communities.

The projects span a wide array of clean energy technologies, including solar, battery storage, microgrids, hydropower, and more, embodying a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of each community.

A significant focus of the ERA program is its support for Tribal communities, recognizing the imperative of enhancing Tribal energy sovereignty. Among the projects, the Navajo and Hopi Nations are set to receive solar and battery energy storage systems, aiming to electrify 300 homes.

This initiative not only addresses the immediate energy needs but also contributes to long-term sustainability and resilience. Another notable project promises substantial savings for Taos Pueblo households, with each household expected to save $700 annually, underscoring the economic benefits of transitioning to clean energy.

These projects represent more than just technological advancements; they are a step towards rectifying historical injustices and ensuring that the clean energy revolution is truly inclusive. By addressing the energy challenges of rural and remote communities, the DOE’s investment is poised to create a ripple effect, spawning new economic opportunities, enhancing community well-being, and contributing to the global fight against climate change.

The Department of Energy Shared Some Projects:

• Solar + Storage Microgrids for Rural Community Health Centers Project: (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee): The CHARGE Partnership, made up of the mission-aligned organizations the National Association of Community Health Centers, Capital Link, Collective Energy, and Clean Energy Group, plans to build energy resilience in Community Health Centers to improve access to reliable health care in low-income, rural communities across eight states in the southeast. The initial site for this project is in Tunica, Mississippi in partnership with Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center, which will incorporate additional community and workforce initiatives. The clean, resilient energy systems developed through this project will benefit up to 175 health center sites, ensuring energy reliability for critical medical equipment, refrigeration of insulin and vaccines, and continuity of care during emergencies and power outages. Participating health centers could save up to $45 million in energy costs, avoid millions in losses due to closures, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and create a scalable, replicable model for remote health care providers, strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities across the country. 

• Chignik Hydroelectric Dam and Water Source Project (Chignik Bay, Alaska): This project aims to renovate a 70+ year-old leaking dam and add a 2.1 MWh hydroelectric facility on the same site. In addition to restoring the dam, the project team has secured over $6 million to rehabilitate the community’s water supply and anticipates creating construction jobs with a Tribal preference. The new hydroelectric facility will replace 100% of the community’s diesel consumption and provide power for homes, businesses, and economic activities like tourism and fish processing. The project will also provide a new revenue stream for its owners, the Chignik Bay Tribal Council, and could then sell excess power to utilities, reducing residents’ total electricity rates.

• Resilience and Prosperity in Rural Northern Wisconsin (24 sites across Red Cliff Band Tribal Lands and Bayfield County, Wisconsin): This project seeks to increase regional energy reliability with the deployment of 23 microgrid systems. Wisconsin’s Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE) will promote local workforce development—particularly for construction and permanent project jobs, create avenues for meaningful public engagement, and provide clean energy education to residents. OSCE also aims to deploy solar power, battery storage, smart controls to enable islanding, and electric vehicle charging stations.

• Energizing Rural Hopi and Navajo with Solar Powered Battery-Based Systems (Navajo and Hopi communities in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah): This project plans to install 2.5 kW off-grid solar and battery storage systems to electrify 300 Tribal homes, enhancing energy resilience and increasing electrification rates within the community. The project lead, Native Renewables Inc., is committed to an Indigenous-led workforce and has developed a program to increase the number of Tribal solar-installation professionals. They will also host training and education for participating households on solar electric energy systems and best practices to ensure the longevity of battery storage systems. This electrification project will fulfill essential household power needs, including lighting, and refrigeration for food and medicine. 

The Biden Administration’s commitment to an equitable clean energy transition is clear. Through strategic investments like these, the U.S. is not only advancing towards its environmental and energy goals but also ensuring that the journey is shared by all communities, irrespective of their geographical or economic status. As these projects unfold, they are set to redefine the landscape of clean energy in America, making it more accessible, reliable, and inclusive than ever before.