IRA Section 80003 – Tribal Electrification Program

Section 80003 of the IRA appropriates $145.5 million to the Director of the BIA to advance the use of zero-emissions energy systems in Tribal homes, as well as an additional $4.5 million for administrative costs associated with the program. The appropriated funds can be used to provide electricity to previously unelectrified Tribal homes through zero-emissions energy systems, to transition electrified homes to zero-emissions systems, and to conduct necessary home repairs and retrofitting to install these systems. The appropriated funds are available until September 30, 2031.

Tribes that fall below certain income or enrollment thresholds are designated “Small and Needy” by the BIA and receive supplemental federal funding. Section 80003 of the IRA specifies that its funding does not count towards the calculation of funds received by these Tribes for the purposes of the Small and Needy program.

Section 80003 also specifies that funds distributed under certain agreements between the federal government and Tribes or Tribal organizations known as self-determination contracts and self-governance compacts do not count towards the funds provided under the Section 106 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act, 25 U.S.C. § 5325(a)-(b), which sets baseline funding requirements for these agreements.