Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced $3.2 million in energy grants to tribes during her first visit to Montana on Friday.

Jewell announced the grants during a visit with the Crow Tribe. The tribe is receiving $665,000 for a hydropower project as part of its water rights settlement.

“The Crow Nation is working to provide reliable, low-cost, renewable power to tribal members, and this grant will help make that vision a reality,” Jewell said in a press release. “These grants are about strengthening self-determination and self-governance by enabling tribal nations to evaluate and promote their energy and mineral assets, negotiate the best agreements with partners or investors and develop these resources for the social and economic benefit of their communities.”

Awards went to tribes in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. A large portion -- nearly $2 million -- will be used for renewable energy projects.

A full list of grantees can be found at www.doi.gov/news/upload/CROW-EVENT-FINAL-FACTSHEET-Grants.pdf

Get the Story:
Crow Tribe awarded grant for hydroelectric project (KTVQ 3/14)
Crow tribe awarded $655K for Yellowtail hydro project (The Billings Gazette 3/15)
Tribal leaders ask for less bureaucracy (The Great Falls Tribune 3/16)

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Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to meet with tribes in Montana (3/14)