The US Government has announced a wide-ranging reform of transmission permitting rules and a $331m funding commitment aimed at adding 2,000MW of grid capacity throughout the western United States.
The Department of Energy is issuing a final rule to establish the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorization and Permits (CITAP) Program to consolidate environmental reviews and federal permitting processes within a standard two-year schedule for qualifying projects.
Meanwhile, $331m has been allocated through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support a new transmission line from Idaho to Nevada.
Construction is expected to commence on the 285-mile Southwest Inertie Project-North line in 2025.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said: “The Biden-Harris Administration is doing everything everywhere to get more power to more people, in more places.
“We are acting with the urgency the American people deserve to realise a historic rework of the permitting process that slashes times for new transmission lines, puts more Americans to work and meets the energy needs of today and the future.”
American Council on Renewable Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Elise Caplan added: “DOE’s creation of the CITAP Program will add much-needed efficiencies to the permitting of high-voltage lines undergoing National Environmental Policy Act environmental studies while also ensuring early and meaningful community engagement.
“The advancement of the Southwest Intertie Project through the innovative Transmission Facilitation Program is an important investment in expanding America’s transmission capacity.”