Federal tribes seeking assistance with Department of Energy (DOE) loans, according to a recent report.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report last week, highlighting the difficulties faced by tribal governments in securing loans from the Department of Energy (DOE). The report, requested by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, provides updated information on the status of applications for loans and loan guarantees for tribal projects under the DOE's Loan Programs Office.

According to the report, the DOE's Loan Programs Office has received 20 applications for loans and loan guarantees for tribal projects since 2018. However, the report states that the Office has yet to issue any loans under the Tribal Energy Financing Program. Only one loan guarantee has been closed, and seven active applications are currently under review.

The report indicates that the lack of access to capital and unique challenges in tribal communities have created barriers for energy project development. The Department of Energy lacks sufficient staff with tribal experience to analyze loan applications, which may contribute to the limited success in approving loans or loan guarantees for tribal projects.

The report is based on interviews with tribes and DOE staff, as well as documents. It provides details on the costs that cash-strapped tribes are forced to pay for DOE contractors to review energy projects. The Tribal Governments that have applied since 2018 for funding from the DOE's Loan Programs Office for their energy projects include the Navajo Nation, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

The report suggests that tribes may need financial and technical assistance to develop energy projects due to insufficient revenue and capacity. It also emphasizes the limited success of the DOE's Loan Programs Office in approving loans or loan guarantees for tribal projects under the Tribal Energy Financing Program.

The history of the DOE's Loan Programs Office in approving loans or loan guarantees for tribal projects has been marked by limited success. The Office has received applications for tribal projects, but no loans have been issued under the Tribal Energy Financing Program. This situation raises concerns about the Office's ability to support energy development in tribal communities.

The report concludes by suggesting that the DOE and the tribal governments should work together to overcome the challenges in securing funding for energy projects. This collaboration could involve providing financial and technical assistance to tribes to develop energy projects and improve the Office's ability to analyze loan applications with tribal expertise.

In conclusion, the GAO report sheds light on the challenges faced by tribal governments in securing loans from the DOE for energy projects. The report calls for action from the DOE and tribal governments to address these challenges and support energy development in tribal communities.

Federal tribes seeking assistance with Department of Energy (DOE) loans, according to a recent report.