DOE tees up funding for tribal, rural energy projects

By Brian Dabbs | 02/27/2024 01:37 PM EST

White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi says the $366 million will boost equity.

Wahleah Johns.

Wahleah Johns, director of the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, during remarks last year. DOE/Flickr

The Department of Energy is prioritizing emissions reductions and lower utility bills in Indian Country with hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding announced Tuesday.

Using money secured by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, DOE is tentatively committing to spend $366 million for 17 projects across the U.S. Twelve of the projects are in Indian Country.

Wahleah Johns, the director of DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, told reporters Monday that Native communities “generally pay higher-than-average” bills for electricity.

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“They face high energy burden and energy poverty,” Johns said. “These projects are really significant in helping to provide more energy security for rural and remote communities.”

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