DoE awards USD 371m to projects in transmission permitting boost

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has decided to award up to USD 371 million (EUR 341.9m) among 20 projects to speed up the permitting of high-voltage, interstate transmission initiatives and support community infrastructure projects along major new and upgraded transmission lines.

The selected projects will receive the funds in the form of Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) grants, a press statement said on Wednesday.

One of the initiatives to receive support is the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) plan to streamline and improve the transmission siting process for several projects within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 1. This project has been awarded USD 8 million.

The Virginia Department of Energy, in turn, will receive about USD 8.4 million to address the need for skilled workers in Hampton Roads’ emerging clean energy sector by connecting members of the community with training opportunities and job prospects.

A second TSED funding opportunity is scheduled to be released by the DoE in the autumn.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.922)

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