For more on the following, see below.

1) Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) Issues Request for Applications for Renewable Energy (Dues Dates October 8 or November 10, 2008)

2) DOE's Tribal Energy Program Review (Nov 17-19, 2008, Denver, Co) -Note that the review has been extended through Thursday, November 20.

3) HUD Offers Grant Funds for Green Affordable Housing (Up To $50,000 per Project) - Applications Due September 18.

4) Departments of Treasury and Justice Announce Indian Economic Development Initiative

5) Save-the-Date: Minnesota Indian Business Conference (October 28-29, 2008, Welch, MN)

1) ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY (AEA) ISSUES REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS - (DUES DATES OCTOBER 8 OR NOVEMBER 10, 2008)

Alaska Energy Authority Announces New Renewable Energy Grant Application Period - AEA Seeks Qualified Applicants for up to $100 Million in Grants. Due dates for applications are October 8 or November 10, 2008, depending upon the status of the proposed project.

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) has issued its Request for Grant Applications (RFA) from qualified applicants for the purpose of evaluating and recommending renewable energy projects to be funded by the Alaska State Legislature. Earlier this year Governor Sarah Palin signed House Bill 152 into law. The measure establishes a renewable energy grant fund and authorizes AEA to manage the procedures for awarding the grants and distributing grant funds. $50 million is to be appropriated into the fund annually over the next five years. During this summer's special session, the Legislature and Governor Palin approved an additional $50 million for this year, thus providing up to $100 million for the first RFA.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

To be eligible for a grant recommendation the applicant must demonstrate formal approval and endorsement of its project by its governing authority (such as board of directors or executive management if it does not have a governing board) and be one of the following types of entities:

1. An electric utility holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity under AS 42.05;

2. An independent power producer (for the purposes of this grant an independent power producer is a corporation, person, agency authority, or other legal entity or instrumentality that owns or operates facilities for the generation of energy to be used at least 50% by the public and that is not an electric utility);

3. A local government; or

4. A governmental entity, (which includes tribal councils and housing authorities).

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

The RFA, application forms and all contact information can be found on the web at www.akenergyauthority.org/RE_Fund.html. Applicants may also contact Renewable Energy Fund Grant Manager Butch White by e-mail at re_fund@aidea.org, or telephone (907) 771-3048.

See the news release from the AEA (http://akenergyauthority.org/PDF%20files/PressReleases/9-4-2008AEA_Announces_Renewable_Energy_RFA.pdf).

2) DOE'S TRIBAL ENERGY PROGRAM REVIEW (NOV 17-19, 2008, DENVER, CO)

This annual program review is intended as a forum for tribes to meet and learn from other tribes pursuing energy sufficiency through conservation or renewable energy. The forum consists of presentations by tribes across the nation that are exploring renewable energy and energy efficiency. Come hear about their projects, the progress they've made, their successes and the lessons they've learned as they explore their energy options.

As we recognize the increasing interest of tribes in energy efficiency and renewable energy and the benefit of tribes learning from tribes, we're opening up this meeting to Indian Country as a whole. This is a unique forum where you can get an excellent overview of the wide range of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under way in Indian Country.

Tribal Energy Program Review
November 17-19, 2008
Renaissance Denver Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80207

AGENDA

Please check back later for an agenda. Registration will begin at noon on Monday, November 17, 2008. The review meeting will start at 1:00 p.m.and continue throughout the day on Thursday, November 20, 2008. The agenda, once complete, will be posted at http://www.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/upcoming_events.cfm

REGISTRATION

No registration fee is being charged, but advance registration is required to ensure adequate seating and availability of refreshments and food. Lunch will be provided on the three full days of the review (Tuesday through Thursday, November 18-20). To register, download the registration form from http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/upcoming_events.cfm and return it to Victoria DeHerrera via e-mail (victoria.deherrera@go.doe.gov) or fax to (303) 275-4788.

HOTEL (There is limited availability of rooms. Book rooms by October 16):

Renaissance Denver Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80207
(303) 399-7500
www.marriott.com/densa

Discounted rooms are available to meeting participants for $140.00 per night (the prevailing government per diem rate) plus tax. To make reservations at this reduced rate, call the hotel directly at (303) 399-7500. Say you want the group rate for the "Tribal Energy Program Review." The deadline to receive the group rate is October 16, 2008. After that date we are unable to guarantee the rate or room availability.

3) HUD OFFERS GRANT FUNDS FOR GREEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING (UP TO $50,000 PER PROJECT)

Eligible Applicants: Open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits; public housing authorities; tribally designated housing entities; for-profit entities; and for-profit entities participating through joint ventures with qualified organizations.

Applications must be received online by September 18.

Awards are expected to be made by the first week of November.

See the Grant Guidelines for more information regarding available funding and eligibility requirements. For Grant Guidelines, see http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/tools/funding/grants/planning.asp#applicants

Information courtesy of Brian Gillen, HUD. Thank you, Brian.

4) DEPARTMENTS OF TREASURY AND JUSTICE ADDRESS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN COUNTRY (INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED)

For full news release, see http://www.cdfifund.gov/news_events/CDFI-2008-35-EconomicDevelopmentIndianCountry.asp

The United States Departments of Treasury and Justice today announced a first-time partnership in strengthening and fostering economic development in Native American communities. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO) to launch an Indian Economic Development Initiative. The Initiative will increase access to financing for existing businesses; create new businesses, increase housing opportunities; and strengthen legal infrastructure.

The economic development projects will take place in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indian Community in Cass Lake, Minnesota, and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community of Baraga, Michigan. The sites will participate in community planning, commercial code development and business development. CCDO activities dovetail the CDFI Fund resources provided to Native organizations. CDFI technical assistance focuses on creating new Native CDFIs and strengthening the operational capacity of existing ones, including asset development activities for native individuals and families.

The CDFI Fund's Native Initiatives works to increase access to credit, capital, and financial services in communities by creating and expanding CDFIs primarily serving Native Communities. This is achieved by funding programs and providing a series of training programs to organizations working in Native areas. The CDFI Fund's Native Initiatives also makes financial assistance awards to certified Native CDFIs and provides grants to Native organizations to help them build the capacity to become a certified Native CDFI.

More information can be found at http://www.cdfifund.gov .

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey L. Sedgwick, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART).

More information can be found at http://www.ojp.gov

Information courtesy of Brian Gillen, HUD. Thank you, Brian.

5) MINNESOTA INDIAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE (OCTOBER 28-29, 2008, WELCH, MN)

A groundbreaking strategic approach to business development focused on Minnesota's Indian entrepreneurs & businesses that will inspire elected tribal officials and others to move forward with initiatives that will create business-supportive environments. A "must" for Indian business owners and artists; tribal leaders; tribal policy and law makers; tribal judges and legal counsel; tribal economic and other tribal government staff, Indian college students and tribal college faculty; business and community developers, federal, state and local elected leaders and agency staff; and lenders interested in tapping into the unlimited business potential in our reservation communities.

October 28 - 29, 2008
Treasure Island Resort & Casino
5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd, Welch, MN 55066

Contacts: Pamela Standing
MN American Indian Chamber of Commerce
(651) 789-6533, pjstanding@maicc.org

Madonna Peltier Yawakie
Turtle Island Communications, Inc.
(763) 424-6257, mpy@turtleislandcom.com

Regards,

Lizana Pierce, Project Manager
DOE's Tribal Energy Program
Golden Field Office
1617 Cole Boulevard
Golden, CO 80401-3393
Phone: (303) 275-4727
Fax: (303) 275-4753
lizana.pierce@go.doe.gov

For information on the Program and our "Guide to Tribal Energy Development", see www.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy