The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a virtual consultation session for Tribal and Alaska Native Corporation leaders or their designated representatives tomorrow, 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.

Please join Secretary Granholm and DOE leaders tomorrow to share your thoughts on:

• What you need from the Department of Energy to inform your BIL planning and preparation
• Your Tribe’s/Alaska Native Corporation’s most important technical assistance needs
• Which BIL programs might be of most interest to your Tribe/Alaska Native Corporation
• The most useful and/or appropriate factors for DOE 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.

Your participation is critically important to help us amplify the voices and address the issues of Native Nations. Register today to make your voice heard!