Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Murray was instrumental in passing was the single largest investment ever in Tribal infrastructure
Senator Murray: “This announcement is great news for the Yakama Nation as they continue to work on improving grid resilience, boost their renewable energy supply, and strengthen service reliability.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Yakama Nation will receive up to $32 million to accelerate clean energy projects on tribal lands and in their community. The funding comes from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program, which awards grants to rural and remote areas of the country to improve access to reliable, affordable clean energy in historically underserved communities. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which Senator Murray was instrumental in passing as the then Assistant Majority Leader.
The $32 million award will support the Yakama Nation’s goal of converting inefficient, open-water irrigation canals into a solar and micro-hydropower irrigation system. This cutting-edge system could conserve up to 20% more water and help energy-burdened residents save up to 15% on their utility bills. Additionally, the project team plans to build solar panels on land that the Tribe knows does not risk disturbing cultural resources. The project team will also train and hire local Tribal members, aiming to create at least 10 full-time positions. Additional information on the project is available HERE.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been a historic and game changing investment in so many ways, but one of my top priorities has been making sure Tribes also see the benefits of this law in a big way—and that’s why I advocated so strongly for the Yakama Nation’s efforts to create a hugely more efficient solar and micro-hydropower irrigation system,” said Senator Murray. “This announcement is great news for the Yakama Nation as they continue to work on improving grid resilience, boost their renewable energy supply, and strengthen service reliability. As Appropriations Chair, I will keep fighting to make sure Tribes in Washington state are always at the table as we invest in rebuilding America’s infrastructure.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Murray was instrumental in passing provided more than $13 billion to directly support Tribal communities and makes Tribes eligible to apply for or request billions in discretionary, formula, and other funding to deploy record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitation systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs in every Tribal community. In total, this funding represents the single largest investment in Tribal infrastructure ever. As a voice in the U.S. Senate for Washington state’s Tribal governments and communities, Senator Murray has long worked to make sure our nation lives up to its promises to support Tribal infrastructure, health care, education, housing, natural resources management, and more.
A recent fact sheet on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering for Tribal communities across the country is available HERE.
###
English 
Spanish