As offshore wind energy advances in the United States, many Tribal Nations have called for additional resources to support Tribal capacity to engage in offshore wind energy decision-making
processes. In response, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to recognize the vital work that Tribal Nations and Tribal-supporting organizations do to support Tribal participation in offshore wind energy decision-making processes that affect their communities, cultural resources, economic opportunities, and the homelands and ocean spaces that they steward.
The Capacity Accelerator for Tribal Offshore Wind Energy Engagement (the capacity accelerator or the prize) is part of the American-Made program, funded by DOE and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). With a $7.1 million prize pool, the capacity accelerator is intended, in part, to help Tribal nations manage the volume of requests to engage in offshore wind processes to elevate their perspectives in the planning and development of related projects. Participation in the capacity accelerator is not an indication of support for offshore wind energy, but rather an opportunity to help Tribes build up resources and capabilities to engage in decision-making processes.
The Capacity Accelerator for Tribal Offshore Wind Engagement contains three phases: Capacity Needs, Capacity Development, and Engagement. To date, 70 innovators have applied to participate in Phase 1, the application deadline for which is April 1, 2025.
For complete details on the project and submission information click HERE.
Although offshore wind energy has the potential to fill a critical niche in the pursuit of the future energy grid and in filling growing energy needs, energy deployment is a complex topic that balances competing needs of sustainability, availability, technology, economy, environment, and society. It is important that Tribal perspectives are represented and heard during offshore wind planning efforts.
However, the number of processes and projects have strained Tribal resources and there is an urgent need within Tribes to build internal capacity to meaningfully engage in the decision-making process.
In designing the capacity accelerator, Tribes, Tribal-supporting organizations, and organizations working with Tribes on offshore wind energy were consulted to better understand the needs and challenges that they face in participating in the exploration of offshore wind energy. Some of the key areas of capacity building that may be pursued as part of this capacity accelerator include:
- Building capacity and expertise to participate in existing environmental monitoring and research, as well as to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into offshore wind research and deployment processes.
- Developing greater capacity to participate in permitting and National Environmental Policy Act processes for offshore wind energy projects and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau for Ocean Energy Management’s offshore wind planning processes for siting and leasing of areas for offshore wind energy.
- Increasing understanding and developing resources to ensure that potential economic benefits of offshore wind energy will flow to Tribal communities, including through Tribal Benefit Agreements.
- Developing Tribal offshore wind energy education and workforce training programs, including setting up or attaining registered apprenticeship standard and expanding apprenticeship readiness training opportunities for Tribal members.
It is recognized that only a sampling of needs and priorities were identified through the initial engagement process associated with the capacity accelerator and that there is a diversity of needs that Tribes may want to address. Therefore, this capacity accelerator is intended to increase internal capacity within Tribes to enhance effective participation in offshore wind energy decision making.
The capacity accelerator can be used by Tribal organizations from all geographies where offshore wind is being considered and can include associated activities and infrastructure development related to offshore wind development, such as but not limited to cable landing, onshore substations, and port development.
The capacity accelerator is designed to build or develop Tribal capacity to engage in offshore wind energy decision making in ways that reflect the needs and priorities of awardees. Increased internal
capacity within Tribes can be pursued in a myriad of ways, including but not limited to direct hiring, employing trusted subcontractors, attending conferences, supporting environmental research, developing workforce training, and engaging in offshore wind development processes. It is also designed to facilitate participation in regulatory processes and government-to-government consultation; however, the capacity accelerator is independent from those processes.
The capacity accelerator is not connected to any community or Tribal benefit agreement, though proposed solutions may align with or be similar to those supported by proposed or existing community and Tribal benefits agreements. The capacity accelerator is also independent from all offshore wind energy projects, though the funds distributed can be used to engage on specific projects. Participation in the capacity accelerator does not imply support for Offshore Wind Development, only the intent to build capacity to allow Tribal engagement in the offshore wind development process.
Technical assistance will be made available to ensure qualifying Tribes have access to experts and the best available information to support their work. The technical assistance is designed to be flexible and meet the specific needs of each awardee but will include opportunities for peer-to-peer learning amongst the Tribes and Tribal collective awardees, access to technical and NREL subject-matter experts, and support in planning and developing submissions.
About the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Innovation Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) American-Made program transforms innovative ideas into real energy solutions through prizes, collegiate competitions, vouchers, and opportunities to work with its network of experts. American-Made activates innovators, entrepreneurs, and everyday Americans to help science and technology solutions go further, faster. DOE’s American-Made program helps innovators overcome hurdles to solve energy problems. American-Made leverages public-private partnerships and incentivizes competitors with challenges to win cash prizes, earn vouchers, and collaborate with top researchers in world-class laboratories, academia, and industry. The program’s Innovation Engine Model ensures participants can more rapidly develop and deploy technologies that can address critical energy needs.
