The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Geothermal strive to equip the public with information and assistance in pursuing energy solutions for their homes, businesses, communities, and more. By assisting communities across the nation, DOE and the Office of Geothermal continue to work toward an efficient and cost-effective future for the United States.
Read below for a non-exhaustive overview of DOE programs, awards, prizes, grants, vouchers, technical assistance, competitions, and initiatives providing support to communities.
E2C
E2C connects local governments, Tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with national laboratory experts and customized, cutting-edge analysis to achieve energy systems that are reflective of local and regional priorities. The program has three facets: In-Depth Partnerships, Peer-Learning Cohorts, and Expert Match.
Sponsor: Funded by DOE and managed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), with support from Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Learn more about PNNL’s technical assistance.
Type: Award and technical assistance
Recipients: Various, dependent on program branch
Reliable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP)
R-STEP expands the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale energy planning, siting, and permitting. The program helps communities better plan for and meaningfully engage in the development of large-scale energy and energy storage projects.
Sponsor: The R-STEP™ funding and technical assistance opportunity is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with the DOE Integrated Energy Systems Office in the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, and is made possible through the innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE Office of Technology and Commercialization. Multiple DOE offices contribute funding for R-STEP™ projects.
Type: Award and technical assistance
Recipients: State-based collaboratives
Geothermal Power Accelerator
The Geothermal Power Accelerator is a 15-state effort to expand the use of firm, flexible geothermal power by working with states to set statewide geothermal goals, strengthen resource mapping, and advance policies and programs that reduce project costs and address regulatory barriers. Through this initiative, state energy offices are collaborating with industry leaders, federal partners, and national laboratories to identify solutions that drive state-level geothermal investment and deployment.
Sponsor: The Office of Geothermal funds and partners with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) to manage Accelerator activities.
Type: Information exchange and technical assistance
Recipients: State energy offices from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. Through the Accelerator, NASEO and DOE’s National Laboratories will help equip these state energy offices with best practices and technical assistance to get more geothermal power to their communities.
Additional Resources
The Office of Geothermal's Community Engagement
The Office of Geothermal's Engagement with Tribal and Native Communities
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
Building Technologies Office Funding Opportunities