In support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Building a Better Grid Initiative to catalyze the nationwide development of new and upgraded high-capacity electric transmission lines. As one of the first steps, DOE is conducting the National Transmission Planning Study (NTP Study) to identify transmission that will provide broad-scale benefits to electric customers; inform regional and interregional transmission planning processes; and identify interregional and national strategies to accelerate decarbonization while maintaining system reliability. A public webinar to officially kick off the NTP Study was held on March 15, 2022. Additionally, last fall, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy held an “Energy Access and Reliability on Tribal Lands” virtual Listening Session to further inform DOE on the energy infrastructure challenges facing Indian Country.

One of the highest priorities in the development of the NTP Study is to collaborate with a wide range of interested parties, including tribal governments, tribal enterprises, tribal utilities, and American Indian communities to help identify pathways for necessary large-scale transmission system buildouts that meet community, regional, and national objectives.

Incorporating tribal feedback, input, and perspectives into the system modeling and algorithms used to develop the NTP Study is critical to success and that input will help form test scenarios, refine input data, and address issues of energy justice.

In the initial phase of development, DOE is asking tribal governments, tribal enterprises, tribal utilities, and American Indian communities for information about interest levels and feedback through the submission of statements of interest.

Statements of interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying Indian tribes or tribal enterprises engaged in large-scale clean energy development or regional transmission planning.
• Providing a description of any tribal policies pertaining to large-scale clean energy development.
• Identifying ways to enhance tribal engagement in transmission planning.
• Any other interests or concerns relative to national or regional transmission planning.

Statements of interest can include responses to any or all of the above topics or any other areas of interest and can be sent to David Hurlbut (david.hurlbut@nrel.gov) or Faith Smith (faith.smith@nrel.gov). DOE requests responses by July 20, 2022, however there will be multiple pathways and timelines for participation. Interested parties are encouraged to subscribe to the email newsletter to receive the most current information about the Building a Better Grid, including the NTP Study. Learn more about DOE's request for statements of interest by Indian tribes.

The NTP Study complements two other studies that were also launched as part of the Building a Better Grid Initiative: National Transmission Needs Study and the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study.

Please note that the NTP Study does not and will not provide advice, guidance, or assistance regarding applications for grants or loans under any IIJA-funded program.

• Visit the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor to see which financing program is right for you.
• Check out the State and Tribal Resource Hub for more valuable information for communities.