Archived News
News and Events
News and events of interest to Tribal Energy and Environmental Information Clearinghouse (TEEIC) users.
May 14, 2012
Tools to Determine Solar and Wind Energy Potential on Contaminated Lands
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed and launched two new tools designed to test underutilized sites and contaminated land for solar and wind energy potential. State and local governments, site owners, and community members can use the tools to help identify the most desirable sites for solar or wind installations from both a logistical and economic standpoint, without the need for technical expertise.
These tools and other resources are available on the EPA's Siting Renewable Energy on Potentially Contaminated Land and Mine Sites page, and direct links to the tools are provided below.
Screening Sites for Solar PV Potential (Solar Decision Tree) (815 KB)
The EPA will host a webinar to discuss these decision trees and related tools on May 22, 2012, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, EDT. For more information and to register for the webinar, see the Renewable Energy on Contaminated Land: Tools for Local Governments webinar page.
May 10, 2012
Upcoming Webinars on Transmission Grids, Clean Energy Financing, and More
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, DOE's Tribal Energy Program, Western Area Power Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) State and Local Climate and Energy Program, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), and ENERGY STAR are conducting webinars on energy-related topics in May and June. These webinars are free, but advance registration is required. Information about each webinar is provided below.
- DOE Tribal Webinar Series
- Today's Energy Supply – Yesterday's Grid
Date/Time: May 30, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. MDT. This webinar will explain how utilities' generation portfolios are changing and how grid infrastructure can be modified to handle these changes.- Presentations from past webinars in the series and a list of upcoming webinars are available on the Public Renewables Partnership web site.
- EPA Local Climate and Energy Webcasts
The EPA is hosting a three part webcast series on how local governments can fund clean energy programs. This is part of the EPA's Local Climate and Energy Webcast Series.
- Part I: Getting Started: Answering Big Picture Funding Questions
Date/Time: May 16, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EDT- Part II: Getting it Funded: Finding Funding for your Clean Energy Programs
Date/Time: May 30, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EDT- Part III: Keeping it Going: Financing Options for your Clean Energy Programs
Date/Time: June 13, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EDT- ENERGY STAR Webinars
ENERGY STAR is offering a number of webinars on energy-related topics. To view all upcoming ENERGY STAR webinars and to register visit ENERGY STAR's Training web page. One webinar listed on the training page that may be of more interest to tribes is shown below.
- Financing Energy Efficient Upgrades with ENERGY STAR
Date/Time: June 14, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EDT- FEMP Webinars
FEMP's First Thursday Seminars cover a variety of energy-related issues. The series is targeted towards Federal energy, environmental, and fleet professionals, but it is open to others.
- Streamlining Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) for Small Sites
Date/Time: June 7, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. EDT
May 8, 2012
Resources Provided by the Green Power Network
The Green Power Network is an online resource operated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Green Power Network provides a variety of resources including an overview of green power and how to buy green power, state-specific resources on buying green power, news and information on green power markets and related activities, and a reference library of papers, articles, and reports.
The Green Power Network also posts many green power solicitations in their Renewable Energy Requests for Proposals (RFPs) section. The solicitations posted are for renewable energy generation, renewable energy certificates, and green power.
In addition, the Green Power Network sends a monthly e-mail that provides a summary of the latest green power news and RFPs. To subscribe to this e-mail service, visit their Monthly E-Mail Update Subscribe page.
For more information about the Green Power Network, see their About the Green Power Network page.
April 18, 2012
Energy Development on Tribal Lands Course (July 30-31, 2012)
Energy Development on Tribal Lands is a two-day course organized by Electric Utility Consultants Inc. (EUCI) that will be instructed by the U.S. Department of the Interior and other Indian country experts. The course will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 30-31, 2012.
This course will outline why developing an energy project with a tribal entity on tribal land is not a conventional transaction with conventional leases, terms, financing, and collateral. This course will provide a basic understanding of federal Indian law, tribal sovereignty, governments and dispute resolution systems, and more.
A reduced registration rate is available through July 20, 2012. In addition, every fourth registrant is free if multiple people are registering from an organization at the same time. For more information about the course, including the agenda, background on the instructors, pricing, registration, and hotel information, see the Energy Development on Tribal Lands course information on the EUCI Web site.
April 16, 2012
Possible Funding Opportunities Related to Tribal Energy Development
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) and a consortium of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grantees, including Forterra, have announced funding opportunities. These opportunities may be able to be used to support energy-related initiatives. Information about each opportunity is available below.
- Building Sustainable Communities Consortium Free Technical Assistance
Applications due: April 30, 2012. Eligible entities within jurisdictions in eligible regions: any local, regional, state, or tribal government, or agency or subdivision thereof, or community-based organization working in close conjunction with any such division of government. For more information, see the Free Technical Assistance section of the Building Sustainable Communities Consortium Web site, and see the Who is Eligible to Apply page to view the eligible regions.- EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs Opportunity
Applications due: Varies by funding cycle, next due date is June 8, 2012. Eligible entities include: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and institutes of higher education. For more information, see the Funding Opportunity Synopsis on Grants.gov.
April 12, 2012
National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (May 22-24, 2012)
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) are co-sponsoring the National Tribal Forum on Air Quality to be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from May 22-24, 2012. The purpose of this forum is to provide environmental professionals from tribes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other organizations an opportunity to meet and discuss current policies, regulatory initiatives, funding, and technical topics in air quality.
For more information and to register, see the National Tribal Forum on Air Quality page of the ITEP Web site.
April 9, 2012
National Tribal Healthy Homes and Energy Efficiency Conference (May 8-10, 2012)
The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are sponsoring the National Tribal Healthy Homes and Energy Efficiency Conference. The conference will be held in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, from May 8 to 10, 2012.
Themed "Pulling It All Together," this conference covers a variety of topics to assist Tribes in developing comprehensive programs geared toward creating healthy, energy-efficient homes. Topics covered include developing sustainable tribal communities, healthy & energy efficient heating and cooling systems, drinking water & septic systems, and many more.
For more information, see the National Tribal Healthy Homes & Energy Efficiency Conference page of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan's Web site.
April 5, 2012
HUD Training: Turning Up the Heat on Energy Conservation (May 15, 2012)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is sponsoring a training workshop titled "Turning Up the Heat on Energy Conservation" on May 15, 2012 in Olympia, Washington. This training will focus on proactively addressing the impact of rising heating costs on both residents and tribal housing programs. Participants will walk away with new tools to decrease energy costs that can be implemented as training curriculum for residents and incorporated into the annual maintenance inventory.
The registration deadline is May 11, 2012. For more information and to register, visit the workshop registration page.
April 2, 2012
Possible Funding Opportunities Related to Tribal Energy Development
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Delta Regional Authority, and the Appalachian Regional Commission have announced funding opportunities. These opportunities may be able to be used to support energy-related initiatives. Information about each opportunity is available below.
- DOE Program Year 2012 Weatherization Formula Grants
Applications due: Varies by program year, next due date is May 1, 2012. Eligible entities: state governments and federally recognized tribes. For more information, see the Funding Opportunity Synopsis on Grants.gov.- Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge
Applications due: May 9, 2012. Eligible entities: Nonprofits, higher education institutions, tribes, and state and local governments. For more information, see the press release announcing the challenge and the USDA Rural Development Rural Jobs Accelerator page.
March 28, 2012
Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country Conference (May 21-22, 2012)
Native Nation Events is hosting the Fifth Annual Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country Conference, which will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, from May 21-22, 2012. At the conference, tribal leaders and professionals will discuss the significant opportunities for energy development in Indian Country, as well as the barriers that tribes must overcome to bring energy projects to fruition. Discussions will include increasing access to private capital, feasibility studies, and how tribes can create sustainable economies with renewable energy projects.
A reduced registration rate is available if registration and payment is received by April 6, 2012. For more information and the registration form see the Fifth Annual Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country Conference Web page.
March 26, 2012
EPA Region 10 Tribal Leaders' Summit (April 30 to May 4, 2012)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 Tribal Leaders' Summit is being held in Grand Ronde, Oregon, April 30 through May 4, 2012. With a focus on "Common Ground: Sharing Successes, Experiences, and Resources," the EPA Region 10 Tribal Leaders' Summit will bring together federal and tribal governments to explore opportunities to partner and leverage shared resources.
A reduced registration rate is available if registration is received by March 30, 2012. The Summit is hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. For more information and the registration form see the EPA Region 10 Tribal Leaders' Summit page of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Web site.
March 22, 2012
Fall 2012 White House Internship Program (Application deadline: April 1, 2012)
The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. White House interns dedicate their time, talents, energy, and service to better the White House, the community, and the nation. The assignments given to them on any given day could include conducting research, managing incoming inquiries, attending meetings, writing memos, and staffing events.
Interns participate in a weekly speaker series with senior staff members and small group meetings exploring different policy aspects of the Executive Office of the President through speakers, discussion, and off-site field trips. Most importantly, the internship experience includes an emphasis on service, and interns participate in regularly scheduled service projects at schools and nonprofit organizations in Washington DC.
The application deadline for the Fall 2012 White House Internship Program is April 1, 2012. For more information about the internship program and to apply, see the White House Internship main page.
February 22, 2012
Tribal Clean Energy Projects Awarded $6.5 Million from U.S. Energy Department
On February 16, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced 19 clean energy projects to receive more than $6.5 million. These competitively selected projects will allow Native American tribes to advance clean energy within their communities by assessing local energy resources, developing renewable energy projects and deploying clean energy technologies. These projects will help Tribal communities across the country save money and create new job and business opportunities.
For more information, see the article announcing the awards on the U.S. Department of Energy's website. In addition, a document providing the Tribal Energy Program February 2012 award project descriptions is available.
February 15, 2012
Online Resources for Assistance with Energy Development
A variety of online tools are provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP), and Cadmus Group, Inc. These tools can be used to assist with energy development, and include clean energy calculators and decision, analysis, prospecting, and mapping tools. Many of the tools have been recently developed or improved.
- Clean Energy Financing Decision Tool and Guide
The EPA Clean Energy Financing Programs include a Decision Tool designed for state and local staff in the early stages of choosing a clean energy financing program and a Decision Guide that includes the basics on financing-program options.- Resources for Development of Clean Energy on Contaminated Sites
- EPA and NREL have developed draft solar and wind decision trees that assist with screening energy potential on a variety of contaminated sites. EPA also provides several other resources on Siting Renewable Energy on Potentially Contaminated Land and Mine Sites.
- NALGEP recently released Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields: A Nuts and Bolts Primer for Local Governments, which will help local governments evaluate the potential for developing renewable energy on brownfields and other contaminated sites.
- Distributed Wind Site Analysis Tool
The Distributed Wind Site Analysis Tool, developed by the Cadmus Group, Inc., allows users to input location and terrain information about a potential wind system site in the United States and predict the energy output and environmental benefits of that site. For more information, see the article announcing the release of the tool.- Online tools Available through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The following is a list of models and tools that can assist in learning more about various renewable energy technologies and their uses. Most of these tools can be applied on a global, regional, local, or project basis.
- Energy Data for Decision Makers
- Technology Analysis Models and Tools. These tools are available for a number of technologies including: Biomass, Geothermal, Electric Infrastructure Systems, Solar, and Wind.
- NREL Online mapping tools. NREL offers a variety of online mapping tools to explore renewable energy resources, calculate energy production and costs of various renewable energy technologies, and locate alternative fuel production facilities. Recently, the Renewable Energy (RE) Atlas has been updated to include tribal lands.
February 10, 2012
USDA Rural Energy for America Program Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of projects. REAP is offering both loan guarantees and grants to help eligible applicants install renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements, and conduct energy audits and feasibility studies. Tribes are eligible for the following opportunity:
- Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grant
Applications accepted through February 21, 2012. Eligible entities: Units of State, tribal, or local government, land-grant colleges or universities or other institutions of higher education, rural electric cooperatives, public power entities, and instrumentalities of State, tribal, or local governments.For more information, see the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) web page. Instructions for applying are located in the REAP Notice of Funding Availability.
February 9, 2012
Upcoming Webinars Related to Energy Development
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Geothermal Technologies Program, Western Area Power Administration, DOE's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, DOE's Tribal Energy Program, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Green Power Partnership Program are conducting webinars in February and March. These webinars are free, but advance registration is required. Information about each webinar is provided below. Click the webinar title for more information and to register.
- Geothermal Exploration Technologies – How and where are they being used in the U.S.
Date/Time: February 15, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. MST. This webinar will highlight new and historical exploration technologies applied in unique combinations to determine geothermal potential.- Unwinding Transmission Policies
Date/Time: February 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. MST. Learn what transmission policy is, how it is established, and who enforces it. Discussions will cover today's policy issues and their potential impact on transmission resources. This webinar is part of the tribal webinar series.- Understanding the Interconnection and Transmission Service Queues
Date/Time: March 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. MDT. Learn about the procedure for interconnection, how to request transmission service, and what tribes can do to gain access to the transmission system. This webinar is part of the tribal webinar series.A listing of webinars in the tribal webinar series and presentations from past webinars in the series are available on the Public Renewables Partnership web site.
January 25, 2012
Distributed Wind/Solar Interconnection Workshop – February 22-24
Western Area Power Administration (Western); the Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG); the American Public Power Association (APPA); and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Wind and Water Power, Solar Energy Technologies, and Tribal Energy programs are jointly presenting the sixth Distributed Wind/Solar Interconnection Workshop. It will be held from February 22-24, 2012 in Golden, Colorado, and portions of the workshop are offered via webinar.
For more information, see the Workshop webpage. Onsite attendance is limited to the first 35 registrants. There are registration fees for both onsite and online attendance. However, Western is offering registration fee compensation for onsite attendance to tribal representatives on a first come, first served basis. For more information about this offer from Western, contact Randy Manion at manion@wapa.gov or by phone at 720-962-7423.
January 11, 2012
NEPA Workshop: March 21-22 in Denver, CO
The International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management (IIIRM) is offering a workshop on the strategic application of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in Indian Country. The workshop will be held on March 21 and 22, 2012 at the DoubleTree Hotel Denver in Colorado. The workshop is designed for Tribal Council Members, Attorneys, Natural and Cultural Resource Specialists and Environmental Protection Professionals and Federal Agency Personnel and Contractors Working in Indian Country.
For more information, see the workshop description and registration materials. A reduced registration fee is available until February 15, 2012.
January 5, 2012
Possible Funding Opportunities Related to Tribal Energy Development
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian Affairs and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service have announced funding opportunities. These opportunities may be able to be used to support energy-related initiatives. Information about each opportunity is available below.
- USDA 2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant – $3 million
Applications due: March 1, 2012. Eligible entities include: federally recognized tribes, State and local governments, special district governments, independent school districts, institutions of higher education, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, for profit organizations. For more information, see the Funding Opportunity Synopsis on Grants.gov.- DOI Grant Program to Assess, Evaluate, and Promote Development of Tribal Energy and Mineral Resources
Grant proposals due: March 16, 2012. Eligible entities: Indian tribes. For more information, including instructions for submitting proposals, see the Federal Register notice.
January 4, 2012
Upcoming Energy-Related Webinars in January
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, the DOE Tribal Energy Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Western Area Power Administration are sponsoring webinars in January. These webinars are free, but advance registration is required. Information about each webinar is provided below.
- Webinar for Tribes on Geothermal Resources and Financing Options
Date/Time: January 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. MST. For more information about this webinar and to register see the webinar registration page.- Overview of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Program
Date/Time: January 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. MST. For more information about this webinar and to register see the Tribal Energy Program Webinars page.
December 20, 2011
New Interactive Mapping Tool Assists with Project Siting
The U.S. Department of Defense and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have created the Renewable Energy and Defense Geospatial Database, a mapping and analytic tool to help project developers identify possible barriers to a proposed project location, including nearby military bases, radar installations, missile silos, and flight paths. The database also shows endangered or threatened wildlife species near the proposed project site. The system will be free to developers if they sign a licensing agreement with the NRDC.
For more information, see the Description of the geospatial database on NRDC's Web site. The description includes a link to download a Google Earth KMZ that provides a sample of the data. Google Earth is available for free download through earth.google.com.
Archived News
