Today, as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the White House released the first edition of a new resource, "Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act's Clean Energy and Climate Investments in Indian Country," which provides clear descriptions of the law's tax incentives and funding programs for which Tribes are eligible.
"Indigenous communities are on the front lines of the intensifying and unique impacts of the climate crisis. It is critical that Tribes have access to the benefits of the transformational investments from the Inflation Reduction Act for the benefit of their people," said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. "As the Biden-Harris administration continues to implement this historic law, we will ensure that Tribes have the opportunity to provide meaningful and pre-decisional feedback to ensure they can leverage all of the opportunities presented by this once-in-a-generation opportunity."
In keeping with the Biden-Harris Administration's vision of achieving prosperity and resilience for all Tribal nations, the Inflation Reduction Act provides more than $720 million for programs dedicated to Tribal lands and Native communities. These programs will ensure more Tribal households have access to affordable and clean electricity, make Native communities more resilient to the growing threats posed by climate change, and bring the benefits of clean energy to Indian Country.
In addition to these dedicated programs, the Guidebook outlines Tribal eligibility for other aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act, including billions in grant and loan programs and clean energy tax incentives. As non-taxable entities, Tribes generally have not benefited from clean energy tax credits designed to incentivize clean energy deployment. Now, the Inflation Reduction Act allows Tribes to receive direct payments in lieu of tax credits, allowing them to get money back on their clean energy investments.
"For far too long, federal programs and resources to develop clean, affordable, and reliable energy have been inaccessible to Native communities," said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation. "Today's guidebook will help tribes navigate all of the opportunities available to them through President Biden's historic Inflation Reduction Act as part of his Investing in America agenda."
Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act more than seven months ago, his administration has been working quickly to design, develop, and implement its programs. This Guidebook provides information on current and prospective clean energy and climate programs. In the coming weeks and months, new developments will be published on www.CleanEnergy.gov to keep stakeholders and potential beneficiaries up to date on the latest deadlines and details.
The Inflation Reduction Act is a cornerstone of President Biden's Investing in America agenda centered on workers, families, and communities. President Biden has made transparent communication and open engagement top priorities as a means to ensure successful implementation and to fully unlock the unprecedented benefits of the law. This Guidebook is critical step toward delivering on that vision.
To view the Guidebook in full, click here.
