In accordance with Executive Orders 10485 and 120381 (collectively, the E.O.s), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department) is designated to receive all applications for permits for the construction, operation, maintenance, or connection, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for the transmission of electric energy between the United States and a foreign country.
The Department is directed to coordinate Presidential permit reviews with the Department of State and the Department of War and obtain favorable recommendations from those agencies prior to making a final decision of permit issuance by the President (E.O.10485, Sec. 3).
On October 21, 1980, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued regulations implementing its authority under E.O. 12038 and section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (45 FR 71558) and in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR Part 205.320-329. Additional regulations that shift some costs from the government to the applicant were published in the July 25, 1983 issue of the Federal Register (48 FR 33816). On September 12, 2025, a Direct Final Rule rescinding the regulations codified in 10 CFR 205.320-329 (90 FR 20753) went into effect. In January 2026, the Department of Energy published a Procedures Handbook, available here. This document is intended to assist prospective applicants in their requests for Presidential permits to authorize the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of electric energy transmission facilities at international boundaries.
Application Submission
DOE strongly encourages pre-filing meetings to discuss the unique circumstances of any individual project. Meeting requests should be directed to electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov.
DOE encourages electronic submissions of application for Presidential permits to electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov. Any document is considered filed with DOE on the date it is electronically transmitted to DOE.
DOE encourages electronic filing to ensure timely receipt. However, DOE will accept hard-copy applications filed in-person or by mail. Please address or deliver all hardcopy submissions to:
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Electricity
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Suite 8H-033
Washington, D.C. 20585
All hand-delivered documents should be filed at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The submission will be deemed filed on the date and time stamped and as recorded by DOE. All documents and exhibits become part of DOE files and the public record subject to public disclosure, unless Confidential Business Information treatment is requested and granted.
Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of an application, DOE will make a sufficiency determination, in writing, regarding its contents. If DOE determines that the contents of the application are insufficient, DOE will, in writing, notify the applicant of the insufficiencies and instruct the applicant to resubmit the application. When the application contents are complete, DOE will proceed with the public interest and foreign relations reviews, and the completed application will be assigned a docket number.
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 contact GDO with requests for status updates.
Permitting Status
Questions concerning current applications can be directed to the GDO at electricity.exports@hq.doe.gov. Copies of current applications are available on request.