EFCWest will be working with multiple Southwestern Tribes through 2022/23 to support their efforts to build energy efficiency and climate resiliency.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency and energy production are two ways Tribes can reduce costs and/or generate revenue. Alternative energy is particularly effective because it can provide critical power during extreme weather and climate change induced events. As Tribes work to regain economic stability while COVID remains an ongoing threat, helping Tribes explore the implementation of energy efficiency and energy production can ease overall energy costs, reduce climate pollution and reliance on expensive fossil fuels, and improve local economies.
In 2022/23 EFCWest will provide one-on-one assistance and workshops on improving home energy efficiency and reducing climate pollution. To support alternative energy production, EFCWest will provide training and technical assistance on 1) financing and implementing energy efficiency programs, 2) financing renewables from small to large scale, and 3) business planning for alternative energy production.
Climate Resilience
EFCWest has worked with multiple Tribes in southwestern states on climate issues and our experience compliments BIA findings that Tribes in NM, CA, AZ and NV are in need of training and technical assistance that:
Supports adaptation planning,
Provides workshops that strengthens grant-writing skills, and
Builds capacity to prepare vulnerability assessments.
In response to these needs, in 2022/23 EFCWest will provide hands on support, workshops and one-on-one assistance on adaptation planning, grant writing and vulnerability assessments. In addition, EFCWest will prepare an updated version of our 2019 guide “Tribal Climate Tools to Engage Community and Build Resilience” that includes more information on preparing vulnerability assessments and incorporates more guidance on adaptation planning.
