At the 2016 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Program Review held Nov. 14–17 in Denver, Colorado, Indian tribes from across the country reported on how they are using Office of Indian Energy grant funding to advance their energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and pursue their energy visions.

The Program Review is an annual open meeting designed to facilitate networking and information exchange among elected tribal leaders, tribal executives, tribal staff, energy developers, federal agencies, and others working to accelerate clean energy development on tribal lands.

Presentation Highlights

• Anthony Giacobbe, Director of Power and Gas for the Seneca Nation of Indians, gave an update on the 1.5-megawatt (MW) wind turbine project that broke ground in April, as highlighted in this blog. The Tribe also currently has a 1.9-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array and natural gas projects underway. Download the presentation for the latest on the Seneca Nation's clean energy projects.
• Steve Estrada, Environmental Manager for the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, discussed lessons learned through the development of the Band's now-operational 1-MW Soboba Community Solar Energy Project, which was featured in this blog in July and the status of their new solar project announced in March. View the Band's presentation for more updates on the project.
• Sonny Adams, Director of Energy for the NANA Regional Corporation, gave an update on NANA's efforts to promote energy security in rural northwest Alaska, including a new public-private partnership to develop the largest solar PV array in the state. Download the presentation for more information on the project.
• Norman Shawanokasic, Chairman and President of Menominee Tribal Enterprises (the business arm of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin), gave an update on the Tribe's biomass combined heat and power project, which opened for business in April, as highlighted in this blog. Learn more in the Tribe's presentation.
• David Messier, Tanana Chiefs Conference Rural Energy Coordinator, presented on behalf of the Gwitchyaa Zhee Gwich'in Tribal Government (GZGTG). Messier gave an update on the Fort Yukon community’s solar installations and energy efficiency efforts detailed in this blog, which include multiple PV arrays and LED lighting retrofits to increase the efficiency of tribal buildings. Learn more about how these projects are helping reduce electricity costs and fuel use for this Alaskan community in GZGTG's presentation.

In addition to hearing updates on these projects and others in progress around the country, Program Review attendees learned how the Office of Indian Energy is positioning tribal entities to expand the Office of Indian Energy’s reach through an intertribal network of regional technical assistance providers. Learn more about the regional tribal organizations competitively selected to participate in the pilot program and the technical assistance offered by the Office of Indian Energy.

Learn More

Presentations from the 2016 Program Review are now available for download.