WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced that the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), is soliciting proposals from tribes. The grants will be funded through IEED’s Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) that enables tribes to assess, evaluate and promote the development of tribal energy and mineral resources. A formal solicitation was published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2010, by the Department of the Interior.
“Tribal lands have invaluable energy resources and great potential to harness projects that can be utilized to help Indian Country prosper,” Echo Hawk said. “This grant opportunity will help tribal leaders and tribal resource managers to develop concrete ways of promoting energy and mineral resources on Indian trust lands for the economic benefit of Indian mineral owners.”
The EMDP strives to expand the knowledge base through which tribes, either by themselves or with industry partners, can bring new energy resources into the marketplace through a comprehensive understanding of the potential of their undeveloped resources. A strong knowledge base will ensure that resources are produced in an environmentally acceptable manner. The EMDP funds both conventional and renewable energy projects. This is the first year where there is a specific amount of funds set aside for renewable energy projects. Some of the key components to consider when submitting a proposal are:
- On the mineral side, tribes are especially encouraged to submit projects that emphasize the use of construction minerals, such as sand and gravel.
- A key element of any project should be the impact that potential development will have on creating new jobs and income for the tribal community.
- There is a 60-day period for tribes to develop proposals and submit them to IEED for evaluation, ranking, and award.
- EMDP funding can only be made available to tribes whose lands are held in trust or restricted fee by the Federal government.
For general questions about the EMDP and the grant submission process contact Robert Anderson at (720) 407-0602 or robert.anderson@bia.gov
The Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs oversees the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, whose mission is to foster stronger American Indian and Alaska Native communities by helping federally recognized tribes with employment and workforce training programs; helping tribes develop their renewable and non-renewable energy and mineral resources; and increasing access to capital for tribal and individual American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses. For more information about IEED programs and services, visit http://www.indianaffairs.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/IEED/index.htm.
