DOE Seeks Experts to Support New State-Based Siting, Planning, and Permitting Initiatives

Apply by Jan. 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET to be a technical assistance provider.

Large-scale renewable energy and battery energy storage projects have a pivotal role as the United States moves to a clean energy system. Where and how these facilities are sited is a complex process that involves many considerations and parties.

To further support state and local governments and Tribal nations with this process, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking applications from organizations with expertise on key renewable energy and energy storage planning, siting, and permitting topics to provide technical assistance (TA) to previously selected State-Based Collaboratives awarded under the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) program.

Selected applicants will provide technical assistance to R-STEP Collaboratives as they develop trainings, tools, and other resources for use by communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, renewable energy developers, and others in their state. Technical assistance providers will provide expertise on key topics to strengthen the ability of Collaboratives to serve as a trusted source of information on clean energy planning, siting, and permitting within their states.

Topics of Interest

The activities being conducted by R-STEP Collaboratives are focused primarily on large-scale solar, wind, and battery energy storage facilities. Some Collaboratives are working on geothermal as well. DOE is seeking applicants with expertise and ability to provide technical assistance on one or more topics of interest, such as (listed alphabetically):

• Community engagement and community benefits
• Decommissioning and end of life
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in siting
• Economic drivers and tax policy analysis
• Environmental and wildlife interactions
• Geospatial analysis and visualization
• Health and safety considerations including fire safety for storage
• Planning, zoning, and permitting
• Tribal engagement

See submission guidance for a full list of topics.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must have a deep technical understanding of one or more topics and demonstrated experience providing educational or technical assistance services.

Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations (e.g., consulting firms, law firms), nonprofit organizations (e.g., environmental nonprofits, trade associations, and community-based organizations), and academic institutions (e.g., colleges and universities). Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are not eligible to apply through this opportunity but will also provide technical assistance to R-STEP Collaboratives under separate funding.

EERE anticipates awarding four to eight technical assistance providers with awards ranging between $20,000 and $300,000 each.

Learn more about this assistance opportunity and apply.

Applications are due by Jan. 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET. Interested applicants can join an optional Objective Strategy Session/Informational Webinar on Nov. 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET, and office hours on Dec. 11, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET.

Funding for technical assistance providers is provided by DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office and Wind Energy Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Technical assistance from selected applicants will be provided free of cost to R-STEP Collaboratives.

The R-STEP program is administered by ENERGYWERX. This funding mechanism is made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE Office of Technology Transitions.