Three day Department of Energy conference will focus on energy development issues for tribes; on tribal lands

MESA, Ariz. – The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) will assist with the planning and execution of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) September 23-25 National Tribal Energy Summit in Washington, DC. The conference’s theme is “Transforming our Energy Future.” Using its experience with its Reservation Economic Summits (RES) and knowledge of American Indian economic development, NCAIED will collaborate with DOE and summit host the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to ensure a successful event that benefits Indian Country. DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz will attend the conference, and both President Obama and Vice President Biden have been invited to address attendees.

“For years, energy has been one of NCAIED’s biggest focus areas, both through our Reservation Economic Summits and other sponsored events and programs,” said Gary Davis, President and CEO of NCAIED. “We are excited to work with DOE and NCSL on the upcoming National Tribal Energy Summit, which will help expand business opportunities for Indian Country. We look forward to a great event that will help to transform our energy future, and we hope Indian Country participates in full force.”

The summit will focus on energy policy priorities important to American Indian Tribes and bring together tribal and state governments, federal agencies, tribal corporations, private industry, utilities and academia to explore energy development and security issues identified by tribes and DOE’s Indian Country Energy and Infrastructure Working Group (ICEIWG). In-depth concurrent panel discussions will focus on specific topic areas, including: Energy Resources; Climate Action Plan; Alaska and the Arctic      Discussions; Electricity Transmission Needs; Energy Infrastructure; Energy Markets/Finance; Energy Regulation; Science and Technology; Managing Energy Risks; Education and Workforce Development; Future of Energy in Indian Country; Energy and Culture; Agency Review and Cross Cutting Issues; Efficiency Weatherization and Design.

For more information about the summit, which is taking place just north of the U.S. Capitol at the Hyatt Regency, please visit: http://www.ncsl.org/research/energy/national-tribal-energy-summit.aspx.

In addition to featuring multiple sessions on various energy issues at its Reservation Economic Summits (RES), NCAIED is part of the Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy (MIE) Initiative Partner Network. The network is comprised of energy-focused companies and trade associations joined by a common mission to increase engagement of minority and tribal communities in the energy sector through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, workforce development, energy economic development and climate change policy and awareness. NCAIED signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DOE last year agreeing to contribute toward making measurable advancements in these areas.

– About the National Center: The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 40 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development – we have evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation. Our motto is: “We Mean Business For Indian Country” as we are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people- both now… and for generations to come.