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The Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Program assists tribes in the 48 contiguous states and Alaska with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Through START, technical experts from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Indian Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory coordinate with tribal leadership and staff to work toward achieving project goals.  

48 Contiguous States

START assistance in the 48 contiguous states addresses late-stage project development decisions, negotiations, and agreements. Tribal project teams receive technical expertise and guidance on a number of topics including revenue generation and financing structures; technical viability, maintenance, measurement and verification plans, and siting; communication and outreach strategies; and developing requests for proposals with the appropriate technical guidelines and selection criteria.

Alaska

START also assists rural Alaska Native communities with developing strategic energy plans to help mitigate climate change, conducting energy awareness and training programs, and pursuing new renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities. Project teams work together to reduce the cost and use of energy for rural Alaska consumers and communities, provide training and public education, and increase renewable energy deployment and financing opportunities.

START Projects

The START Program has supported 30 tribes and Alaska Native villages with moving renewable energy and energy efficiency closer to implementation.