Export Authorizations

Part II, Section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) states that exports of electric energy should be allowed unless the proposed export would impair the sufficiency of electric power supply within the U.S. or would impede or tend to impede the coordinated use of the U.S. power supply network. Based on these guidelines, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will grant authorization to export electric energy if it is determined that:

  1. Sufficient generating resources exist such that the exporter could sustain the export while still maintaining adequate generating resources to meet all firm supply obligations; and,
  2. The export would not cause operating parameters on regional transmission systems to fall outside of established industry criteria.

DOE must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) before granting authorization to export electric energy. On October 1, 2025, DOE issued a programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CX-270833) for exports over existing international transmission lines.

On October 28, 1980, DOE issued regulations implementing its authority under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (45 FR 71558) and in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR Part 205.300-309. On June 22, 2026, DOE issued a Final Rule rescinding the application requirements codified in 10 CFR 205.301 through 10 CFR 205.309 and modifying the language of 10 CFR 205.300 (90 FR 20826, and 91 FR 36970). 

Application Submissions

DOE encourages electronic submissions of applications for Export Authorization. Please email your application to electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov. 

Please note that electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov is a monitored inbox and responses should generally be expected within [7] business days. Please allow [14] business days prior to contacting the Office of Electricity with requests for status updates.

Authorization Status

Export authorizations issued since 1995 authorize the last entity that holds title to electricity inside the United States to export the electricity using a specific transmission line or collection of lines.

Requests for export authorizations not currently on the website should be addressed to electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov. 

Additional Information