Jan. 25, 2022

Inform DOI Decisions on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementation and Register for Other Events of Interest to Tribes

The year ahead is shaping up to be a big one for the Office of Indian Energy and the tribal communities we serve! As 2022 gets underway, we are pleased to have the chance to share so many exciting events and opportunities aimed at addressing tribal energy, economic, environmental and infrastructure challenges through funding and technical assistance.

We’ve highlighted a few of particular significance to Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages below.

Upcoming Events

January 26-28: Tribal Listening Sessions on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementations

Tribal communities stand to benefit greatly from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and this week they have a prime opportunity to make their voices heard. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is seeking direct input from tribal leaders this week to inform the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) early-stage planning decisions regarding implementation of the BIL.

Along with including a $466 million investment for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for infrastructure projects and climate resilience initiatives, the BIL authorized a historic investment of $2.5 billion to help DOI fulfill pre-existing settlements of Indian water rights claims. It also made tribal communities eligible for additional DOI programs to support building resilience to wildland fire and drought, restoring ecosystems, enabling fish passage, and addressing legacy pollution from abandoned mine lands and orphan oil and gas wells.

Be sure to attend one of the listening sessions below and/or submit written comments to consultation@bia.gov by February 4, 2022.

• Pacific and Alaska Time Zone Tribes, January 26, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Register now.
• Mountain Time Zone Tribes, January 27, 12 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Register now.
• Eastern & Central Time Zone Tribes, January 28, 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Register now.

If you are unable to make the session reserved for your Tribe’s time zone, you may join an alternate session.

January 26: ArcticX

Join the discussion on how to ensure energy and environmental justice in the Arctic at the ArcticX webinar on Jan. 26 from 2-4pm Eastern Time/10am-12pm Alaska Time. Alaska residents and DOE leaders will be featured in panel discussions relating to challenges and opportunities of equitably advancing initiatives in the region.

Hosted by the Office of Technology Transitions and the Arctic Energy Office, this is the second webinar in a four-part series. The virtual events, which will culminate with an in-person event in Anchorage on May 23, bring together diverse Arctic stakeholders, including Alaska Natives, with industry entrepreneurs, university and laboratory researchers, and government leaders to:

• Learn about arctic infrastructure and operating environments
• Hear from organizations advancing clean energy in the Arctic
• Discuss energy challenges, innovative solutions, and technology deployment opportunities
• Explore Arctic energy transition pathways for future collaboration
• Network with Arctic stakeholders and visit key places in Alaska.

Register now.

February 7–10: Alaska Forum on the Environment Conference

The 2022 Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) Conference will feature more than 40 technical sessions, four keynote speakers, virtual exhibitor booths, daily films, and an after-hours meet-and-greet. Topics will include climate change, science, contaminated sites, clean-up and remediation, emergency preparedness, marine debris, and more. AFE 2022 will be a virtual event, hosted on the Alaska Connect online training platform in partnership with Knik Tribe.

Learn more and register.

February 22–24: 4th Annual Renewable Energy and Sustainability Conference

The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s annual Renewable Energy and Sustainability Conference in Hollywood, Florida, will focus on the newly changing landscape for tribal energy development and sustainability. Along with highlighting best practices; federal leadership, policy, and regulatory changes; project funding options; and project planning and development trends, the event will feature DOE Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns, Deployment Supervisor Lizana Pierce, and Deployment specialist Tommy Jones as keynote speakers.

Attendees will hear from tribal representatives, nongovernmental organizations, and private industries about tapping into the range of renewable energy and sustainability opportunities out there and ways to start the process.

Register now.

And Much More!

To keep abreast of the many other upcoming events of relevance to tribal communities, including the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) 2022 beginning on May 23 in Las Vegas, be sure to check the Office of Indian Energy Events page regularly.

Regards, 
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
1000 Independence Ave. SW | Washington DC 20585

For more information on the Office of Indian Energy, visit our website.

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