Every year, our Division of Energy and Mineral Development provides the opportunity for Tribes to receive financial assistance to establish the legal framework for developing and regulating their energy resources. 

We know that millions and millions of acres of Tribal reservations hold vast natural resources. We support development efforts led by Tribes in accordance with Tribal goals and priorities.  

Development Activities Eligible for Funding

  • Developing the legal infrastructure to create any type of Tribal energy business
  • Establishing an energy-focused corporation under Tribal or state incorporation codes
  • Establishing an energy-related Tribal business charter under federal law (IRA Section 17 corporation)

Learn more about choosing a Tribal business structure

Regulatory Activities Eligible for Funding

  • Developing or enhancing tribal policies, codes, regulations, or ordinances related to energy resource, including land-lease regulations in accordance with the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act for energy development purposes or for business purposes connected to an energy project
  • Establishing a Tribal utility authority (TUA)
  • Adopting secured transaction codes and a subsequent joint power agreement with a state government

TEDC Grant Application Process Presentation

This presentation about the TEDC grant application process which will provide additional resources to help better serve eligible applicants and streamline the grants process for Tribes and their energy & mineral projects. This presentation was accompanied by a live Q & A session in December 2023. We hope to hold additional live sessions for the next TEDC grant announcement later this year.

 

The TEDC Grant is now closed

View this funding opportunity at grants.gov.

  • Active SAM.gov account and UEI number is required. Check on yours now!
  • Visit the "Apply" page to learn more about the requirements

The grant application process has changed, all applications must be submitted through grants.gov. The applications are processed through GrantSolutions. If you have any questions, please contact:

Division of Energy and Mineral Development
telephone: (303) 969-5270
e-mail: tedcgrants@bia.gov

Current Closing Date for Applications: Jan 11, 2024

Eligibility Information

All federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes, bands, villages, nations, or communities are eligible for TEDC grant funding.

What Would You Like to Do?

What You Need to Know

Success Stories

  • Pechanga in California

    Pechanga Western Electric

    Our grant helped to establish the Pechanga Tribal Utility (PTU). PTU is the first Tribal owned and operated utility company in California to buy and transmit power through the California Independent System Operator. PTU’s estimated power sales are over $11,650,000 annually.

  • Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico

    General DEMD meeting photo

    With our funding, we assisted in settlement negotiations for expired rights-of-way agreements with the Tribe’s incumbent utility provider for roughly $2,000,000. The pueblo will use a portion of the settlement funds to build a 1-megawatt community solar project to hedge against future rate increases, which will result in an estimated energy savings of $100,000 per year.

  • Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska in Nebraska

    General DEMD meeting photo

    Our funding helped the Village of Winnebago discover that their utility provider was mistakenly charging 5.5% in sales tax on meters located on their trust land. Meters on trust lands are nontaxable. The Tribe spends over $1,000,000 annually on power and now saves $55,000 per year with this tax issue resolved.

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Additional Information

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Division of Energy and Mineral Development
13922 Denver West Parkway, Suite 200
Lakewood, CO 80401
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST, Monday–Friday