The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a virtual consultation session for Tribal and Alaska Native Corporation leaders or their designated representatives on March 29 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. 

With the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment in Jobs Act (IIJA), President Biden ushered in a new era of working with tribal, Alaska Native Corporation, state, and local leaders to build back better, stronger, and cleaner infrastructure across the country.

DOE leaders are interested in your feedback on: 

• What do you need from the Department of Energy to inform your BIL planning and preparation? 
• What are your Tribe’s/Alaska Native Corporation’s most important technical assistance needs and why? 
• As you look across the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) programs, which might be of most interest to your Tribe/Alaska Native Corporation? 
• In your experience, what are the most useful and/or appropriate factors to consider when designing formula grants for tribal governments/Alaska Native Corporations?

Information gathered in this virtual consultation session will guide the Energy Department in developing more than 60 new programs. Implementing $62.5 billion in funding from IIJA—the largest investment in our nation’s infrastructure in generations—will require deep, ongoing partnership alongside Tribal and Alaska Native Corporation leaders, members of Congress, governors, mayors, local officials, and community members.

DOE’s website on BIL programs can help you prepare for the consultation session. The BIL guidebook Building a Better America, prepared by the White House, may also be helpful. For more information, visit DOE’s Strengthening Tribal Consultation and Engagement with Tribal Leaders web page.

Tribal leaders may submit written comments prior to the consultation session at TribalConsultation@hq.doe.gov. Comments will also be accepted after the consultation session until 5 p.m. Eastern Time Friday, April 8, 2022.

Register here.