The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Reliable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) program expands the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale energy planning, siting, and permitting.
DOE has awarded $29 million total to 16 state-based collaboratives under the R-STEP program.
Vision
By supporting state-level programs that serve as a resource to their local areas, R-STEP helps communities better plan for and meaningfully engage in the development of large-scale energy and energy storage projects. This effort supports the establishment of more predictable, community-oriented, and science-based siting processes for energy developers and permitting authorities.
Developing these projects in a way that is informed by meaningful community engagement can unlock opportunities for advancing affordable, reliable, and secure energy across the country. Through these collaboratives, state-based entities will act as trusted messengers to provide the capacity and knowledge needed for energy development.
To support improved siting processes, R-STEP provides competitive funding and technical assistance, opportunities for state-to-state engagement, and informational resources like best practices. R-STEP will grow as a go-to resource for convening, information sharing, and supporting the expansion of state-based energy planning, siting, and permitting programs.
Impact
Through two competitive rounds of funding, R-STEP is supporting 16 state-based collaboratives working across 17 states. These collaboratives are each implementing unique activities and developing resources tailored to the needs of stakeholders in their states. In addition, R-STEP awardees are receiving technical assistance from experts on topics such as environmental impacts, economic analysis, zoning ordinances, community engagement strategies, fire safety and codes, and much more.
What Is Siting?
Energy siting refers to a complex series of decision-making processes and actions that determine the location and design of new geothermal, storage, or other energy facilities.
State and local governments have critical roles in facilitating and approving large-scale energy facilities but may not always have the resources, time, or expertise to proactively plan for future deployment of these facilities or to address siting barriers.
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 Transitions.
Questions about the R-STEP funding and technical assistance opportunity can be submitted to info@energywerx.org.