Council of Energy Resource Tribes

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The Energy Independence and Security Act Of 2007
On December 19, 2007, President Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, P.L. 110-140. The Act contains 16 titles and authorizes billions of dollars in federal appropriations for a variety of renewable energy research and development activities. Indian Tribes and Tribal colleges and universities are eligible for several grant programs established by the Act:

Grants For Bio-fuel Production Research and Development: Section 223 establishes a grant program for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of bio-fuel production technologies in States with low rates of ethanol production, including low rates of production of cellulosic biomass ethanol, as determined by the Secretary. Entities eligible for grants include (a) institutions of higher education, including tribally controlled colleges; or (b) a consortium that includes at least one institution of higher education and industry, State agencies, Indian Tribal agencies, National Laboratories, or local government agencies located in the State. Section 223 authorizes appropriations of up to $25 million from FY 2008 to FY 2010 for this program.
Grants for Cellulosic Ethanol and Bio-fuels Research: Section 230 establishes a grant program for cellulosic ethanol and bio-fuels research and development for, among other entities, tribal colleges or universities (as defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965). Up to 10 eligible entities may receive grants and $50 million in appropriations is authorized for FY 2008, with unexpended amounts to be carried over to subsequent fiscal years.
University Based Research and Development Grant program: Section 234 establishes a grant program for higher education institutions that will fund grants for partnerships between Indian Tribes and higher education institutions renewable energy activities, with an emphasis on woody biomass technologies. Priority is given for higher education institution grant applications involved in joint ventures with Indian Tribes. This section was originally offered (and approved) as an amendment on the House floor by Representative David Wu (D-OR). Section 234 authorizes appropriations of $25 million for this program.
Grants for Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants: Section 244 establishes a grant program for retail and wholesale motor fuel dealers or other entities for the installation, replacement, or conversion of motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure to be used exclusively to store and dispense renewable fuel blends. Indian Tribes are among the eligible entities that may apply for these grants. Section 244 authorizes up to $200 million in appropriations for this program from FY 2008 to FY 2014.
Grants for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants: Subtitle E of the Act (Sections 541 to 548) establishes a block grant program for a number of renewable energy research and development activities. Of the amounts made available to provide grants under the program, 68 percent will be allocated to local governments, 28 percent to states, two percent to Indian Tribes, and two percent for competitive grants. Thus, Indian Tribes will receive a two percent set aside. Section 543(d) requires the Secretary to establish a formula to allocate funds to tribes. Subtitle E authorizes $2 billion for the programs within the subtitle for FY 2008 to FY 2012.

Department of Energy Names Director for Office of Indian Energy Policy and Makes Available $2 Million for Clean Energy Projects on Tribal Lands
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced the appointment of Steven J. Morello to be Director of DOE's newly formed Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. As Director of this office, Mr. Morello will work to implement and manage energy planning, education and efficiency for American Indian Tribes.

Also the Secretary announced that DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy would make available a total of up to $2 million for 15 Native American tribes and Alaskan villages that have been selected for negotiation of awards that support the advancement of renewable energy technologies on Tribal lands and rural Alaskan villages.

"The creation of the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs will further assist the Department in reaching all Americans in promoting clean, reliable and affordable energy," Secretary Bodman said. "I look forward to working with Steve to advance and promote clean energy, changing the way we power this nation."

The Indian Energy Policy and Program Office will reside within DOE's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs where Mr. Morello will also continue to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and External Affairs. Most recently, Mr. Morello founded Native Insurance Agency LLC (NIA), a Small Business Association-certified, minority-owned small disadvantaged business, where he served as its Managing Member. Prior to NIA, Mr. Morello worked in his own law firm, Native Law Group PC, representing his tribe, the Sault Saint Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, among others.

In 2001, Mr. Morello was nominated by President George W. Bush, and later confirmed by the Senate, to be the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Army. In that position, he served as the legal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Army's Chief Legal Officer.

A Georgetown University graduate, Mr. Morello received his law degree from the University of Detroit Law School, and earned a Master of Science in Business Administration degree from Boston University. Mr. Morello also earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.

As part of DOE's ongoing commitment to work with Native American Tribes and Alaskan villages, the $2 million Secretary Bodman announced today will be invested, subject to negotiations, in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on Tribal lands that support President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative, which challenges Americans to change the way we power our homes, offices, and vehicles.

"The Department of Energy is committed to encouraging and helping groups develop and deploy clean energy sources," Secretary Bodman said. "Providing support for Native Americans to explore and employ clean, renewable energy technologies will help increase efficiency and provide for a cleaner environment."

Of the 15 Native American Tribes and villages whose projects have been selected for negotiation, six will study the feasibility of utilizing renewable energy technologies on Tribal lands; and nine projects will take initial steps toward implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on Tribal lands. The selected projects will receive both financial and technical assistance from DOE. Since 2001, DOE has provided $12.4 million for 76 tribal energy projects, with tribes contributing an additional $3.6 million. Read more on DOE's Tribal Energy Program at www.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/.

For information on the 15 planned awards, see www.energy.gov/news/5493.htm

Possible Grant Opportunities
Click here to read more about these possible funding opportunities.

New report released from the Center of the American West on What Every Westerner Should Know about Energy Efficiency and Conservation.
The Center of the American West (CAW) recently published a new report on What Every Westerner Should Know about Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The report is free when downloaded. To obtain a PDF version of the report click here.