Energy Security Task Force at EOPA
Energy Security Task Force
Elected Officials to Protect America, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has launched the Energy Security Task Force. Its mission is to mobilize lawmakers, government agencies, businesses, and NGOs to strengthen U.S. energy independence, modernize infrastructure, and help communities access resources from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The Task Force was created after our National Summit revealed that many state, tribal, and local governments need clear guidance to identify opportunities, meet requirements, and secure federal funding.
Members include elected officials, veterans, and participants in our Leadership Councils and Certificate Program with the University of San Francisco. Their expertise helps ensure effective use of federal funding to build stronger communities and advance national energy security.
We invite elected officials, tribal leaders, corporate and NGO partners, and stakeholders to join the Task Force and contribute to the successful implementation of the IRA.
Together, we can close capacity gaps, navigate complex funding, and expand reliable energy access nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs is authorized to fund and implement a variety of programs and projects that promote tribal energy development, efficiency and use; reduce or stabilize energy costs; enhance and strengthen tribal energy and economic infrastructure; and electrify Indian lands and homes. To advance its mission, the Office of Indian Energy works with American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages to maximize the value of their energy resources through:
The Office of Indian Energy also leverages public-private partnerships, inter- and intra-governmental coordination, and government-to-government partnerships to maximize the return on investments in the future of American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages.
The Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) partners with state and local organizations to accelerate the deployment of energy technologies, strengthen local economies, create jobs, and lower energy costs through place-based strategies involving government, business, and community stakeholders.
Foundational initiatives such as the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program, which have delivered energy savings nationwide for over 40 years, are now complemented by new efforts like the Local Government Energy Program and Energy Futures Grants. For the first time, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working directly with local governments and communities over the long term.
Through formula grants, DOE will expand the capacity of state energy offices and broaden the weatherization provider network to help families improve home efficiency and reduce utility expenses. Competitive awards will drive innovation at the state and local levels, supporting high-impact, self-sustaining energy projects. Technical assistance will further strengthen these efforts by sharing best practices, providing peer-to-peer forums, and building durable partnerships.
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) serves as an advocate for small businesses within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its mission is to expand opportunities for small, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone businesses in the federal acquisition process.
While OSDBU does not directly procure contracts, it acts as a bridge between the small business community and Commerce procurement offices. Established under the Small Business Act of 1953 (as amended by Public Law 95-507), OSDBU ensures federal contracting goals are met while promoting innovation, competition, and inclusion.
Key Functions:
- Increase prime and subcontract awards to small businesses.
- Identify and connect qualified small businesses with Commerce and its contractors.
- Publish the Annual Forecast of Contract Opportunities to highlight upcoming procurements.
- Negotiate and track small business contracting goals with the Small Business Administration.
- Provide outreach, training, and recognition programs to strengthen small business engagement.
Through these efforts, OSDBU helps integrate small businesses into Commerce’s competitive base, ensuring they play a vital role in federal projects and national energy initiatives.
Department of Energy – Loan Programs Office (LPO)
The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) provides financing for large-scale energy infrastructure projects that strengthen America’s energy security. LPO offers debt capital and flexible financing
for first-of-a-kind and high-impact ventures that private lenders often cannot support, making it a key partner in advancing national energy goals.
Since its inception, LPO has issued more than $35 billion in loans and loan guarantees across 30+ projects. Its portfolio includes transforming existing energy infrastructure, reviving nuclear construction, expanding advanced vehicle manufacturing, and supporting large-scale energy development — all while creating jobs and driving U.S. innovation.
Key Loan Programs:
- Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM): Direct loans to support U.S. manufacturing of advanced vehicles and components.
- Tribal Energy Financing: Direct loans and partial guarantees for tribal energy development projects.
- CO₂ Transportation Infrastructure (CIFIA): Financing for carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure.
- Title 17 Energy Financing: Loan guarantees for projects that strengthen U.S. energy infrastructure and promote reinvestment in critical facilities.
- Innovative Energy & Supply Chain: Financing for commercial-scale projects deploying new energy technologies or manufacturing processes.
- State Energy Financing Institution (SEFI) Projects: Federal support aligned with state-level energy priorities.
- Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR): Guarantees for projects that retool, repower, repurpose, or replace aging energy infrastructure.
Backed by an in-house team with decades of financial, technical, and legal expertise, LPO helps deliver flexible, customized financing to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of energy innovation and independence.
Inaugural Task Force Meeting
Energy Security Task Force Meeting
On February 28, 2023, at 2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM PT), EOPA, in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Transportation, hosted the first meeting of the Energy Security Task Force. Participants were briefed on DOE’s implementation strategy for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), with a focus on funding opportunities available for state and local governments to strengthen energy infrastructure and develop critical projects.
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
OSDBU works to expand opportunities for small businesses within federal contracts and acquisitions. Its mission is to ensure maximum participation by small business concerns, meeting or exceeding federal prime and subcontracting goals. Progress is tracked through official federal reporting at smallbusiness.data.gov.