The U.S. Department of Energy's energy funding round for Tribal communities is drawing scrutiny after Hindustan Times reported that an online map left Vermont off, a claim that remains unverified.
DOE said Oct. 22 that it selected 63 Tribal-led projects involving 61 Tribal entities across 16 states for negotiations over more than $125 million. The selections are not final awards, and DOE said selection for negotiations does not guarantee funding.
Hindustan Times reported that a DOE post on X included a map that appeared to leave Vermont out and drew critical replies. One user quoted by the outlet wrote, “So you failed geography.” The claim that the graphic omitted Vermont remains unverified.
DOE's selected-project document lists locations in states including Connecticut and New York, but none in Vermont. The department says each marker represents one project location, while a project may benefit other places as well. The project list therefore does not establish whether the graphic lacked Vermont's outline or simply showed no project there.
The selections cover several stages of energy work. Thirteen projects focus on community-scale deployment, with examples including connecting 150 Tribal homes without electricity, converting 500 homes and businesses to natural-gas heating, and upgrading electrical infrastructure. Another 27 selections support early project development, while 23 fund planning, assessment and feasibility work for larger Tribal energy developments.
DOE's Tribal Electricity Access and Reliability Report to Congress found that Tribal households face an energy burden 28% above average. The report estimated that 17,000 Tribal homes lack electricity, affecting at least 54,000 people.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly said the initiative aims to ease electricity costs and reliability challenges while supporting economic opportunities. DOE said the projects would draw on fiscal 2026 and earlier congressional appropriations. Negotiations can be canceled and selections rescinded before funding is awarded; the department provided no timetable for final decisions.
