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JULY 2024
White House Convening on Clean Energy
GRID Alternatives National Tribal Program Co-Executive Director, Tanksi Clairmont, along with industry professionals from across the country, attended the White House Convening on Accelerating Clean Energy Deployment Through Meaningful Community Engagement. Representatives from from federal, state, and local governments, tribal nations, the clean energy industry, community groups, academia, and environmental justice, labor, and environmental non-governmental organizations, discussed clean energy implementation which has been a major push from the Biden Administration on improving national sustainable energy initiatives.
For full story details please see the White House announcement here
Tribal Grant Timelines Released
2024 Tribal Facility - Residential Grant closed June 30th, 2024
External review process taken place July 1 - July 21, 2024
Award/Denials July 22 - July 31, 2024
Outreach to Tribes for Grant Agreements. August 1, 2024
Open Grant Opportunities
Capacity Building Grant Program – Deadline to apply July 31, 2024
Tribal Gap Fund Grant Program – Accepting applications
Tribal Energy Plan Grant Program – Open until all funds are subscribed
Educational Leadership & Workforce Development
We are currently accepting applications for the TSAF Scholarship. Scan the QR code above or Click HERE to apply.
Tribal Policy Updates
California Ties Up Incentives for Community Solar: GRID’s Tribal Response Regarding Decision 24-05-065
At the time of early adoption of community solar in California and establishment of the green tariff shared renewables program in 2013, there was little to no customer adoption of the enhanced renewable program— signaling to legislators and regulators alike that the program needed significant change for community solar to take off. Enabled by AB 2316 in 2022, the CPUC engaged in an evaluative process with multiple stakeholders to address the challenges of the community solar market in California regarding each existing renewable energy subscription program and the benefits of establishing a new program or tariff to modify the existing programs.
GRID Alternatives motioned to be an intervenor after the Revised Proposed Decision was voted on May 28 adopting new rules supported by the state’s biggest utility companies in a 3-1 split vote. The new rules will reduce compensation to solar providers and residents, essentially devaluing distributed energy projects, potentially torpedoing the market for future developers and harming subsequent community solar adoption further. During the near term, a non-ratepayer adder to subsidize projects for developers will be put into place with the federal funding from California’s Solar For All program. One of the largest concerns remains what will happen to the future Community Renewable Energy Program (CREP) after the federal financial incentives run out. GRID Alternatives was able to submit comments to questions regarding implementation of CREP and revised Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program. Please find attached GRID Alternatives' Opening Comments on ALJ's Ruling Directing Responses to Questions Regarding Implementation of D.24-05-065, filed July 10, 2024 with the California Public Utilities Commission.
Highlights of GRID’s comments focused on Tribal community solar project development are the following:
Tribes represent an opportunity to model community solar in their communities regardless of state regulatory policies.
If Solar For All funding is utilized as a non-ratepayer adder, Tribal set-asides are strongly encouraged to directly serve Tribal energy projects on Indian Lands. Additionally, utilizing federal funds does not maximize state and federal funding and fails to serve low-income communities significantly.
Tribal Construction Updates
The National Tribal Construction Team recently completed a 138 kW installation for Muckleshoot tribe in Washington state. The project included 3 roof top solar installations and a workforce development program that certified and trained 4 Muckleshoot tribal employees.
The Spokane tribal project was remobilized for the second year to complete a portfolio of 119 residential rooftop solar installations. 49 installations remain to be completed.
This month, the Tribal team began a solar installation project for the Yakama Housing Authority. The project includes a 218 kW portfolio of residential rooftop installations spread across 46 homes in the Wishram neighborhood. This includes a training program that will train and employ 6 local people from Yakama for the duration of the project.
GRID Welcomes New VP of Communications
Lycia Ortega
GRID Alternatives welcomes Lycia Ortega (she/her), citizen of the Quechan Indian Tribe, as the new VP of Communications. Lycia is a communications strategist and policy advocate, specializing in campaigns that raise the visibility and enhance the political power of historically underserved communities. Lycia is skilled at uplifting, empowering, and humanizing community voices. She is passionate about storytelling using multimedia approaches and has led teams and initiatives on the domestic and global levels for more than 16 years. She holds degrees in Communications, Film and Video Production, and Indigenous Peoples Law. Lycia is located in Central Florida and is the proud mother of two. She loves distance running, indoor climbing, domestic and international travel, and participating in the revitalization of her Tribe’s rich language, culture, and traditions.
If you are interested in supporting the GRID National Tribal Program please contact National Tribal Program Co- Executive Director Tanksi Clairmont or if you would like make a donation now, use the button below.
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