Below you will find the following upcoming workshops & funding opportunities for Tribes.

1) FY2008 Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED) Notice Of Funding Availability (NOFA) published (Deadline: May 30, 2008)

2) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in Indian Country Workshop (May 21-22, 2008, Denver, CO)

3) '08 HUD ONAP National Summit - Greener Homes: Creating Energy Efficient, Comfortable & Healthy Tribal Homes (June 17-19, 2008, Reno, NV)

4) DOE's Tribal Energy Program offers Regional Training: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Tribal Community and Project Development

a) Great Plains Tribes - May 12-15, 2008 (Rapid City, SD)
b) Southwest Tribes - July 21-24, 2008 (Albuquerque, NM)

5) DOE's Tribal Energy Program offers funding opportunity "Renewable Energy Deployment In Alaska Native Villages" - Deadline: May 8, 2008

6) DOE's Tribal Energy Program offers funding opportunity "Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency Deployment in Indian Country - Contiguous 48 States" - Deadline: May 8, 2008

1) FY2008 RURAL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (RHED) NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) PUBLISHED DEADLINE: MAY 30, 2008

See Federal Register Announcement attached. Applications submitted through http://www.grants.gov must be received and validated by Grants.gov no later than 11:59:59 Eastern time on May 30, 2008.

FUNDING AWARD AMOUNT:
HUD will award up to approximately $17,000,000 on a competitive basis for Support for Innovative Housing and Economic Development Activities to federally recognized Indian tribes, state housing finance agencies (HFAs), state community and/or economic development agencies, local rural nonprofit organizations, and community development corporations to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas. The maximum amount awarded to a successful applicant will be $300,000.

COST SHARING OR MATCHING
There is no match required under the Rural Housing and Economic Development program. Applicants that submit evidence of leveraging dollars under Rating Factor 4 will receive points according.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
The following are examples of eligible activities under the Rural Housing and Economic Development program. Permissible activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

a. The cost of using new or innovative construction, energy efficiency, or other techniques that will result in the design or construction of innovative housing and economic development projects;

b. Preparation of plans or of architectural or engineering drawings;

c. Preparation of legal documents, government paperwork, and applications necessary for construction of housing and economic development activities to occur in the jurisdiction;

d. Acquisition of land and buildings;

e. Demolition of property to permit construction or rehabilitation activities to occur;

f. Purchase of construction materials;

g. Homeownership counseling, including on the subjects of fair housing counseling, credit counseling, budgeting, access to credit, and other federal assistance available, including features for persons with disabilities, such as full accessibility, visitability, and universal design;

h. Conducting conferences or meetings with other federal or state agencies, tribes, tribally designated housing entities (TDHE), or national or regional housing organizations, to inform residents of programs, rights, and responsibilities associated with homebuying opportunities (all meetings and conferences should be provided in alternative formats for persons with a variety of disabilities, as appropriate, and in applicable languages common in the community for limited English proficient (LEP) families);

i. Establishing Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), lines of credit, revolving loan funds, microenterprises, and small business incubators; and

j. Provision of direct financial assistance to homeowners/businesses/ developers, etc. This can be in the form of default reserves, pooling/securitization mechanisms, loans, grants, the funding of existing individual development.

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

2) NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) IN INDIAN COUNTRY WORKSHOP MAY 21-22, 2008

Radisson Hotel Denver Stapleton Plaza
3333 Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado
May 21-22, 2008

The Workshop on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in Indian Country is presented by the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management (IIIRM)

Phone: (303) 733-0481; FAX: (303) 744-9808
E-Mail: iiirm@iiirm.org, Website: www.iiirm.org.

AGENDA:
Complete agenda is at www.iiirm.org.

SUMMARY

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) can be an important part of federal agency consultation with Indian tribes. However, effective tribal participation in the NEPA process requires an awareness of the workings and procedural requirements of NEPA, technical expertise, knowledge of the broad range of tribal environmental, social, cultural, health and safety interests that may be affected by federal programs and activities and a strategy that links NEPA responses to other legal and statutory requirements such as the federal-Indian trust doctrine, treaty rights, AIRFA, NAGPRA, etc. This Workshop will provide practical instruction and assistance to inform tribal decision-makers on: the requirements and latest developments in NEPA compliance and litigation; the role of tribal, federal and state regulators in the NEPA process; and strategies to identify and protect tribal interests that may be affected by proposed federal action.

Information courtesy of Jeanne M. Rubin, International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management. Thanks, Jeanne.

3) '08 HUD ONAP NATIONAL SUMMIT - GREENER HOMES: CREATING ENERGY EFFICIENT, COMFORTABLE & HEALTHY TRIBAL HOMES JUNE 17-19, 2008 RENO, NV

The '08 National Greener Homes Summit, hosted by HUD ONAP, will be a 3 day session to be located in Reno, NV. This informational workshop focuses on home energy efficiency and comfort, as well as indoor air quality, renewable energy resources, and mold and moisture prevention. The workshop also features hands-on demonstrations of energy efficiency products. The National Training will be held at the Peppermill Hotel Casino in Reno, NV. Attendees are responsible for arranging and covering costs associated with their own travel and lodging. There are no registration fees for this training.

Peppermill Hotel Casino
2707 South Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89502

Book your hotel room by dialing 800.282.2444 and requesting a room in the HUD ONAP room block. Be certain to make hotel arrangements before May 23, 2008 in order to take advantage of the group rate of $152 per night. After this date, rooms at the group rate will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

For more, see http://www.firstpic.org/.

Information courtesy of Glenn Reece, HUD ONAP. Thank you, Glenn.

4) REGIONAL TRAINING: RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Several regional workshops on tribal renewable energy development are planned. The workshops will address: renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency concepts; renewable energy project development; organizational structures and legal frameworks for development; and financing options. These unique courses will help tribal leaders and staff understand the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities that exist within your communities. The course material will focus on: 1) Determining community energy values and objectives; 2) Developing the outline of a tribal strategic energy plan; 3) Exploring how energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies can be used to help meet tribal objectives; 4) Organizing for tribal community success.

Dates and locations are listed below.

1) Great Plains Tribes - May 12-15, 2008 (Rapid City, SD)
2) Southwest Tribes - July 21-24, 2008 (Albuquerque, NM)

REGISTRATION FEE:
This workshop is offered free of charge to tribal members and BIA employees. Travel and per diem are the individual's responsibility. Lunches will be provided.

COURSE REGISTRATION:
Complete the attached registration form and send to David Glickson (Fax: 303-384-6568 or email: david_glickson@nrel.gov). Be sure to specify which training you will be attending.

AGENDA:
For a sample agenda, see http://www.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/upcoming_events.cfm

GREAT PLAINS TRIBES (RAPID CITY, SD) MAY 12-15, 2008

Radisson Hotel Rapid City
445 Mount Rushmore Road
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 348-8300
http://www.radisson.com/rapidcitysd

Discounted rooms are available to meeting participants for $70.00 per night (government per diem). To make reservations at the group rate, call the hotel at (605) 348-8300 or Radisson Reservations at (888) 201-1718. Say you want the group rate for "Renewable Energy for Great Plains Tribes." The deadline for receiving the group rate is April 27, 2008. After that date we are unable to guarantee the rate or room availability.

SOUTHWEST TRIBES (ALBUQUERQUE, NM) JULY 21-24, 2008

Marriott Albuquerque Pyramid North
5151 San Francisco Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 821-3333
www.marriott.com/abqmc

Group rate for participants is $75.00 To make reservations contact Marriott reservations at 1-800-262--2043 or the hotel directly at 505-821-3333. Ask for the group rate for "Renewable Energy For Southwest Tribes" when calling to make reservations to access discounted group rate. Cutoff date for reservations is June 27, 2008. After that date we will be unable to guarantee rate or availability.

5) RENEWABLE ENERGY DEPLOYMENT IN ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES (DE-PS36-08GO98021) CLOSES: MAY 8. 2008

For a copy, see http://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/8373d2fc6d83b66685256452007963f5/e2785409f8a2e4fe8525740f0054348b?OpenDocument.

Once, there scroll down the page to the bottom and double click the pdf file under "Full Announcement and Other Files."

Eligibility:
This announcement has restricted eligibility. Eligibility for award under this Funding Opportunity Announcement is restricted to: (1) Alaska Native villages or Regional or Village Corporations or (2) Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations; (3) on whose Tribal Lands the project(s) will be located within the State of Alaska.

Summary:
Under this announcement, DOE is soliciting applications from Tribes or Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations for the deployment of renewable energy heat and/or power solutions, including the hybridization of existing diesel power systems, in Native Alaskan villages. DOE is seeking comprehensive project plans for community-scale projects in Alaska Native communities that address the heat and/or power needs of the maximum number of communities while being sustainable and consistent with the environmental and cultural values of the community.

Each of the selected projects is intended to result in the significant reduction in fossil fuel use for the maximum number of Native villages through the implementation of renewable energy technologies using indigenous resources. Applicants are encouraged to aggregate multiple sites or regional approaches to meet DOE's goal of significantly reducing fossil fuel use. Applications demonstrating maximum unit installation, at lowest cost, over the shortest timeframe will be given preference. Successful applications must demonstrate the potential for at least a 50% reduction in fossil fuel consumption for heating applications and/or at least a 25% reduction in fossil fuel consumption for power applications.

See below for links to the Funding Opportunity Announcements.

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov to be considered for award. Questions regarding the content of the announcement should be submitted through the "Submit Question" feature of the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) at
http://e-center.doe.gov.

VERY IMPORTANT: To complete and submit applications through Grants.gov, there are several actions you must complete (e.g., obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR), install the PureEdge Viewer, register with the credential provider, and register with Grants.gov). Applicants are highly encouraged to register as soon as possible and should allow at least 21 days to complete the registration process. When done, call the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 to verify successful registration. Registration Instructions are found on the Grants.gov web site at http://www.grants.gov and in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

6) RENEWABLE ENERGY OR ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEPLOYMENT IN INDIAN COUNTRY - CONTIGUOUS 48 STATES (DE-PS36-08GO98022) CLOSES: MAY 8, 2008

For a copy, see http://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/8373d2fc6d83b66685256452007963f5/8d45d258a9bda2088525740f0052f4f3?OpenDocument.

Once, there scroll down the page to the bottom and double click the pdf file under "Full Announcement and Other Files."

Eligibility:
This announcement has restricted eligibility. Eligibility for award under this Funding Opportunity Announcement is restricted to: (1) an Indian Tribe; or (2) Tribal Energy Resource Development Organization; (3) on whose Indian Lands the project(s) will be located; (4) within the contiguous 48 States.

Summary:
Under this Announcement, DOE is soliciting applications from Tribes or Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations to implement building efficiency improvements or deployment of renewable energy systems in Indian Country. DOE is seeking comprehensive project development plans for the large-scale installation of renewable energy systems or energy efficiency measures resulting in substantial energy savings within 12 to 24 months of award, subject to the availability of renewable energy hardware. Applicants are encouraged to aggregate multiple sites or regional approaches to meet DOE's goal of significantly reducing fossil fuel use. Applications demonstrating maximum unit installation, at lowest cost, over the shortest timeframe will be given preference. Successful applications under energy efficiency must demonstrate the potential for a 30% reduction in energy usage. Applications proposing the use of renewable energy systems for building heating and cooling must meet at least a minimum of 30% of the building load. Renewable energy applications proposing less than 1 MW of generation will not be considered.

See below for links to the Funding Opportunity Announcements.

Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov to be considered for award. Questions regarding the content of the announcement should be submitted through the "Submit Question" feature of the DOE Industry Interactive Procurement System (IIPS) at
http://e-center.doe.gov.

VERY IMPORTANT: To complete and submit applications through Grants.gov, there are several actions you must complete (e.g., obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR), install the PureEdge Viewer, register with the credential provider, and register with Grants.gov). Applicants are highly encouraged to register as soon as possible and should allow at least 21 days to complete the registration process. When done, call the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 to verify successful registration. Registration Instructions are found on the Grants.gov web site at http://www.grants.gov and in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

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