Developing a modern electric grid capable of meeting all electrification goals will be a holistic effort. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to robust engagement and collaboration across Federal agencies, DOE’s National Labs, states, American Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives, industry, unions, local communities, and other stakeholders. These activities should not be focused on any one project, but on a national, coordinated effort.
Transmission Siting and Permitting Efforts
The siting and permitting of interstate and interregional high-voltage transmission generally requires action by many different authorities governing the federal, state, local, and Tribal lands and private lands, that facilities will pass through. Projects involving multiple agencies are subject to a wide array of processes and procedural requirements for compliance with legal mandates and multiple authorizations. DOE leverages unique federal authorities and financing mechanisms to streamline and coordinate transmission permitting and siting efforts to accelerate the deployment of critical electric infrastructure.
Puerto Rico Grid Recovery and Modernization
Since the hurricanes in 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy has been providing Puerto Rico energy stakeholders with tools, training, and modeling support to maintain initiatives that focus on mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. DOE’s Puerto Rico Recovery and Grid Modernization Team, together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, works to strengthen Puerto Rico’s electric grid while supporting efforts to reach their renewable energy target of 100% by 2050, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Offshore Wind Transmission Stakeholder Convenings
Together with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), DOE convened decisionmakers and stakeholders for a series of offshore wind (OSW) transmission workshops and conversations to collect feedback and share lessons learned. This effort informed DOE and BOEM’s development of a set of OSW transmission-focused recommendations and associated time-bound, regionally-specific action plans for enabling solutions for the Atlantic Coast and then the West Coast.
National Transmission Study Tribal Engagement
As one of the first steps in the Building a Better Grid Initiative, DOE is conducting the National Transmission Planning Study (NTP Study) to identify pathways for necessary large-scale transmission system buildouts that meet regional and national interests. Incorporating feedback from a wide range of interested parties, including tribal governments, tribal enterprises, tribal utilities, and American Indian communities will be critical to identifying pathways for necessary large-scale transmission system buildouts that meet community, regional, and national objectives. Incorporating tribal input and perspectives into the system modeling and algorithms used to develop the NTP Study will help form test scenarios and refine input data.
Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program
The Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program (WEMSE) provides states and regions with technical and financial assistance related to developing, expanding, and improving wholesale electricity markets. This engagement will ensure these stakeholders are able to provide critical insight into market design, expansion, and improvement activities. Learn more about funding opportunities and latest news by visiting the Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program.