On December 19, 2023, the Grid Deployment Office released final guidance for the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designation process and opened the first window for public submission of information and recommendations on NIETC designation.
Designation of NIETCs can assist in focusing commercial facilitation, signal opportunities for beneficial development to transmission planning entities, and unlock siting and permitting tools for transmission projects in identified areas.
The final guidance outlines a four-phase process to assist DOE in independently identifying potential NIETCs. During the four-phase process, DOE plans to:
- Collect information on narrow geographic areas where NIETC designation may be particularly valuable.
- Publish a preliminary list of potential NIETC designations and collect more detailed information and feedback concentrated on the preliminary list.
- Complete any needed environmental and other reviews, conduct robust public engagement, and publish one or more draft NIETC designation reports and environmental documents.
- Conclude by publishing one or more final NIETC designation reports and environmental documents.
The initial window for public submission for information and recommendations on NIETC designation will remain open until February 2, 2024.
A webinar to provide additional information about the first window for public submission was held on January 3, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET.