Agency: Department of Energy – Transmission Facilitation Fund
Description:
Authorizes DOE to make loans or enter into contracts to jumpstart construct and deploy electric power transmission lines and related facilities. Transmission lines must be capable of transmitting not less than 1,000 MW or 500 MW in the case of upgrades or new projects in an existing infrastructure corridor. The Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP) offers capacity contracts, loans, and public private partnerships, as well as technical assistance. TFP is a revolving fund, not a grant program, and projects must demonstrate that DOE can recover its costs. IIJA provides $2.5 billion in borrowing authority and $10 million in annual authorizations for implementation.
Bill Section:
40106
New or Existing:
New
Potential Cost:
$2,500,000,000
Timeline:
Until funds are expended.
Implementation Status/Rulemaking:
On November 18, 2022, DOE issued a Request for Proposals to solicit applications for capacity contracts under the Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP). Applications were due February 1, 2023: Source
DOE announced the first round of project selections for the Transmission Facilitation Program, totaling up to $1.3 billion, on October 23, 2023: Source
On February 6, 2024, DOE announced a Request for Proposals for the second round of the Transmission Facilitation Program capacity contracts. Applications are due March 11, 2024: Source
On February 26, 2024, DOE announced a Request for Proposals for up to $200 million in public-private partnership funding for projects to connect remote and isolated microgrids to existing infrastructure corridors in Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories of the United States. Applications are due May 31, 2024: Source