Energy Department Announces Over $125 Million for 63 Tribal Energy Projects Across 16 States
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced in Washington on October 22 that it will provide over $125 million for 63 tribe-led energy projects spanning 16 states, including Alaska, and 61 tribal entities, to lower energy costs, expand electricity access, and advance economic development for tribal communities.
DOE said the selections are consistent with President Donald J. Trump's "Unleashing American Energy" executive order. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly said the investment will help families and business owners in tribal communities access affordable, reliable, and secure energy. Eric Mahroum, director of the Office of Indian Energy, said it is the largest-ever single investment in tribal energy development in the office's 20-year history, and the first time the office is supporting projects at any phase, including large-scale generation, transmission, and distribution projects and critical minerals projects.
By category, 13 projects cover deployment and installation of community-scale projects, including bringing electric service to 150 tribal homes currently without electricity, converting 500 homes and businesses to natural gas heating, and upgrading electrical infrastructure. Another 27 projects cover predevelopment work, including Tribal Utility Authority studies, transmission and distribution, resource assessments, resiliency, and workforce development. A further 23 projects cover planning, assessment, and feasibility studies for large-scale projects, including identifying geothermal and other resources for baseload and resilient backup power and evaluating power-sales revenue.
DOE said the projects are funded through fiscal year 2026 and prior-year congressional appropriations. The projects have been selected for award negotiations; DOE stated that selection does not constitute a commitment to issue an award or provide funding, that it will negotiate with applicants, and that it may cancel negotiations or rescind a selection for any reason.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：加州沙漠中的 San Gorgonio Pass 风电场（资料图）。照片：Tom Brewster Photography／美国土地管理局（BLM），CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm in the California desert (file photo). Photo: Tom Brewster Photography / U.S. Bureau of Land Management, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
