In a significant move to enhance the resilience and reliability of the U.S. electric grid, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the allocation of up to $371 million for 20 high-voltage transmission projects across 16 states. This funding, part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is aimed at expediting the permitting process for major interstate transmission lines and supporting local community infrastructure.
The grants, administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, are designed to advance at least 16 high-impact transmission lines that will bolster the deployment of reliable and affordable energy nationwide while also creating well-paying jobs. The Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) grants will also address critical community infrastructure needs, such as upgrading public school buildings and emergency response facilities.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of these projects, stating, “Today, every pocket of the country is experiencing the grueling impact of extreme weather, and there’s no doubt that we must expand our transmission grid to get more clean, resilient power to more people, in more places. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are accelerating transmission expansion while strengthening local communities and creating good-paying jobs across the nation.”
The TSED grants are part of a broader effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to expand and improve the electric transmission system. This includes streamlining federal permitting processes and investing billions in grid infrastructure. The TSED grants will complement these actions by supporting progress at the state and local levels, ensuring that communities hosting new transmission infrastructure directly benefit from the developments.
Highlighted projects funded by the grants include:
- Illinois Commerce Commission: Receiving $8 million to streamline and improve the transmission siting process for multiple projects in Illinois, including digitizing records and enhancing community engagement.
- Roosevelt Custer Regional Council: Awarded $710,000 to expand fire department facilities in rural North Dakota, improving community resilience.
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources: Granted $42.3 million to deploy a microgrid at a school in Barnstable, Massachusetts, to reduce energy costs and enhance emergency preparedness.
- Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians: Given $5.6 million for workforce development programs in California, focusing on ocean and coastal policy and science education.
These investments reflect a commitment to not only advancing the nation’s energy infrastructure but also ensuring that local communities see tangible benefits from these improvements. With these grants, the DOE aims to address the growing demand for clean, reliable energy while fostering economic development and resilience in communities across the country.
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