§3506. Tribal government energy assistance program
(a) Financial assistance
The Secretary may grant financial assistance to Indian tribal governments, or private sector persons working in cooperation with Indian tribal governments, to carry out projects to evaluate the feasibility of, develop options for, and encourage the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on Indian reservations. Such grants may include the costs of technical assistance in resource assessment, feasibility analysis, technology transfer, and the resolution of other technical, financial, or management issues identified by the applicants for such grants.
(b) Conditions
Any applicant for financial assistance under this section must evidence coordination and cooperation with, and support from, local educational institutions and the affected local energy institutions.
(c) Considerations
In determining the amount of financial assistance to be provided for a proposed project, the Secretary shall consider-
(1) the extent of involvement of local educational institutions and local energy institutions;
(2) the ease and costs of operation and maintenance of any project contemplated as a part of the project;
(3) whether the measure will contribute significantly to the development, or the quality of the environment, of the affected Indian reservations; and
(4) any other factors which the Secretary may determine to be relevant to a particular project.
(d) Cost-share
With the exception of grants awarded for the purpose of feasibility studies, the Secretary shall require at least 20 percent of the costs of any project under this section to be provided from non-Federal sources, unless the grant recipient is a for-profit private sector institution, in which case the Secretary shall require at least 50 percent of the costs of any project to be provided from non-Federal sources.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the development and implementation of the program established by this section.
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