On January 30, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Grid Deployment Office issued a request for information on “issues related to the provision of grants to facilitate the siting of interstate and offshore electricity transmission lines” under section 50152 of the IRA. That section authorizes DOE to make grants to a state, local, or tribal entity that has authority over the siting, permitting, or regulation of a covered transmission project to enable them to engage in certain activities that “may improve the chances of, and shorten the time required for, approval” of the project by the state, local, or tribal entity. The section also authorizes DOE to make grants for economic development activities in communities that may be affected by covered projects’ construction and operation. The request for information seeks input on three topics:
(1) Eligible Siting Activities With Respect to Covered Projects,
(2) Economic Development Activities for Affected Communities, and
(3) Equity, Energy, and Environmental Justice.
Responses were due by February 23, 2023.