Grid Deployment Office: August Newsletter
Grid Deployment Office | U.S. Department of Energy
DOE GDO leads efforts to modernize and upgrade the U.S. electrical grid and critical electricity-generating facilities.
One year ago, Secretary Granholm established the Grid Deployment Office to tackle the challenges facing our nation’s power grid, including aging infrastructure, extreme weather that threatens reliability, costly electric bills, and a race to deploy clean energy. Since then, we have stood up multiple new programs in collaboration with states, tribes, communities, and private industry and started distributing over $25 billion of landmark investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to provide communities across the country with the modern energy infrastructure they both need and deserve. As GDO celebrates its first anniversary this week, I am immensely proud of our passionate and talented team for what we have accomplished and what is to come as we continue to deliver for the American people. - Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office
Recent Announcements
Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Rule to Streamline and Set Deadlines for Federal Transmission Permitting Process
On August 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a rule to establish the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Program to accelerate Federal environmental review and permitting processes for qualifying onshore electric transmission facilities. Consistent with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, the Program aims toward a better coordinated, more streamlined process that will set deadlines for Federal authorizations and permits for electric transmission on a two-year timeline while ensuring meaningful engagement with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Grid Deployment Office (GDO), which will administer the CITAP Program, is now seeking public comment and feedback on the proposed program via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR).
Through the NOPR, DOE seeks comments on the CITAP Program implementation, especially the preapplication requirements for transmission developers. DOE specifically invites Tribal governments to provide comments on the effects that this regulation could potentially have on Tribal communities. The comment period will be open for 45 days following the NOPR publication in the Federal Register. Details on how to submit comments are provided in the NOPR.
A public webinar will be held at 1:30 p.m. ET on August 23, 2023. Registration is required.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $407 Million in States, Territories, and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electric Grid
As of August 3, 2023, DOE has released $407 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO), the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts due to extreme weather and natural disaster and ensure the reliability of the power sector’s infrastructure, so all communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity anytime, anywhere. Award recipients for the first two fiscal years of funding are being announced on a rolling basis.
The application deadline for Fiscal Year (FY) 22 and FY23 grants has been extended for Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Corporations, until August 31, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET (with a mail-in option post-marked by this date).
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Over $450 Million to Increase Access to Rooftop Solar Power for Puerto Rico Residents
On July 31, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm traveled to Puerto Rico and announced up to $453.5 million from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF) aimed at increasing residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage installations across the region, with a focus to reach and support Puerto Rico’s most vulnerable residents. This funding will help deploy solar and battery installations to up to 40,000 households, provide consumer protection and education initiatives to support residents’ long-term use of solar systems, and support a Solar Ambassador Prize for community groups to help the Department identify and connect with eligible households – all part of President Biden’s goal of lowering energy costs with a resilient grid powered by 100% renewable energy.
PR-ERF FOA applications are due on September 18, 2023, at 5:00 pm AT/ET and applications to become a Solar Ambassador Organization are due on September 25, 2023, at 5:00 pm AT/ET.
DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will host a public bilingual informational webinar about the Solar Ambassador Prize on August 17, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. AT/ET. Registration is required.
News and Updates
The Grid Deployment Office Turns 1!
On August 10, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the Grid Deployment Office to drive federal investments to modernize and expand capacity of the nation’s power grid and deploy cheaper, cleaner energy across America. On the first anniversary, GDO reflected on the most powerful moments and accomplishments achieved over the past year as we maintain and invest in critical power generation facilities, increase grid resilience, and improve and expand transmission and distribution systems to provide reliable, affordable electricity when and where people need it.
USDA Invites Rural Cooperatives to Submit Letters of Interest for Grants and Loans to Deploy Renewable Energy Systems
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting Letters of Interest for the Empowering Rural America (“New ERA”) program through September 15, 2023. New ERA makes $9.7 billion available for eligible rural electric cooperatives to make improvements to eligible generation and transmission systems, to purchase, build, or deploy renewable energy, zero-emission systems, carbon capture storage systems, or to purchase renewable energy. The funding is available for loans and grants.
Join the Grid Deployment Office!
On September 12, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET, GDO will host a virtual information session and career fair to provide an overview of open opportunities with the team. We have a range of positions available for a variety of skillsets, many offering telework or hybrid work options across the country. Potential positions include:
Hear from Director Maria Robinson as she shares what she loves about working at the Grid Deployment Office.
GDO Launches Facebook Page
At GDO, we are committed to working in strong partnership with energy sector stakeholders and value input on all our activities and initiatives. On August 7, 2023, GDO launched a new Facebook page to expand our reach and enhance engagement and outreach with the public. Stay connected and join us on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest news and updates.
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To learn more about the latest milestones, funding opportunities, webinars, and highlights from our teams, make sure you opt-in to receive program specific updates.
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Introducing the State and Tribal Grid Resilience and Transmission Planning Resource Hub
Expanding and modernizing the electric grid to meet growing electrification will be a holistic effort across communities, states, tribes, and the nation. Success will not be achieved with individual projects, but only with a national coordinated effort. The State and Tribal Grid Resilience and Transmission Planning Resource Hub provides valuable resources geared specifically to community partners to ensure we maximize regional and community benefits.
Visit the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor
Do you know which transmission and grid resilience financing program is right for your project? With more options now for financing and investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, as well as other existing DOE transmission and grid programs, the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor’s interactive tool can help identify which opportunities may be best suited to bring your project to fruition.
Check out the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor.
Open Opportunities
OPPORTUNITY: Solar Ambassador Prize / Premio Para Embajadores de Energia Solar
Upcoming Events
Meeting: Pre-Filing Webinar: Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives (EPAct 2005 Section 247)
Recent Meeting Materials
Meeting: National Transmission Planning Study Updates Webinar
Meeting: A Conversation with Alaskans on the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants
Meeting: Community Benefits Plan Webinar: Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives (EPAct 2005 Section 247)
For more video content from GDO, including messages from GDO leadership, recordings from past webinars, explainer videos, and more, check out GDO’s new YouTube playlist on the DOE YouTube channel.