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GAO-24-106278 1 (2024-07-22)

handle is hein.gao/gaoqps0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Why This Matters Tribes and their citizens may experience difficulties obtaining reliable and affordable electricity or may not be connected to a traditional electricity grid at all.1 Inadequate electrical infrastructure or severe weather events can leave Tribes and their citizens without power for critical buildings and emergency services. Microgrids are electricity systems that can operate independently from a traditional electricity grid. Microgrids can help Tribes deliver power to their communities and protect from grid disruptions. However, developing a microgrid can be a costly and complex endeavor that poses financial, technical, and other challenges for Tribes. The Department of the Interior's Indian Affairs organization, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Denali Commission-an independent federal agency designed to provide critical utilities, infrastructure, and support for economic development and training in Alaska-have supported tribal microgrid development.2 We were asked to examine tribal microgrid development. This report provides information on the federal programs available to support such efforts, the challenges Tribes face with microgrid development-including unique challenges with microgrids in Alaska-and actions the federal government has taken to address some of these challenges. Key Takeaways * Several federal agencies and programs offer financial and technical assistance for tribal microgrid development. * Tribes face long-standing barriers to accessing federal assistance and specific challenges related to microgrid development that may affect their ability to successfully pursue microgrids. For example, Tribes may have difficulties providing matching funds for federal grant awards or may experience challenges with connecting their microgrids to a traditional electricity grid. * Unique challenges exist to developing a microgrid in Alaska related to geographical and environmental conditions. For example, the lack of road systems and seasonality of barge access to deliver project materials complicates microgrid development in remote Alaskan communities. * The federal government has taken several actions in recent years that could help address some challenges that Tribes face in developing microgrids. While these actions have significant potential, it is too soon to assess the extent to which they will be successful. Page 1 GAO-24-106278 Tribal Energy

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