– DOE announces final rule establishing CITAP Program to streamline transmission project permitting
– Up to $331 million committed for new transmission line from Idaho to Nevada to add over 2,000MW of grid capacity
– Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP-North) selected as additional conditional project under the Transmission Facilitation Program, creating over 300 construction jobs and providing alternate power supply route during emergencies
The US Department of Energy has introduced a final transmission permitting reform rule and a commitment of up to $331 million to add over 2,000MW of grid capacity in the Western US. The Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits Program aims to improve federal environmental reviews and permitting processes for qualifying transmission projects.
This final rule implements a May 2023 Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the siting, permitting, and construction of electric transmission infrastructure in the US. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide funding for a new transmission line from Idaho to Nevada, built with union labor.
The CITAP Program is designed to assist transmission developers through the federal review process, offering two-year permitting timelines, sustained integrity in environmental reviews, and transparent permitting procedures.
The SWIP-N project, supported by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will bring wind energy from Idaho to Southern Nevada and California, creating over 300 union construction jobs and enhancing grid reliability during emergencies. The National Transmission Needs Study estimates a need for 3.3 gigawatts of new transfer capacity by 2035, with the SWIP-N project addressing 58% of this requirement.