National Transmission Planning Study Tribal Engagement

DOE Requests Feedback from Tribal Governments for the National Transmission Planning Study

In support of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working to catalyze the nationwide development of new and upgraded high-capacity electric transmission lines. As one of the first steps, DOE is conducting the National Transmission Planning Study (NTP Study) to identify transmission that will provide broad-scale benefits to electric customers; inform regional and interregional transmission planning processes; and identify interregional and national strategies to accelerate decarbonization while maintaining system reliability. A public webinar to officially kick off the NTP Study was held on March 15, 2022. Additionally, in November 2021, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy held an “Energy Access and Reliability on Tribal Lands” virtual Listening Session to further inform DOE on the energy infrastructure challenges facing Indian Country. In January 2023, the NTP Study team held an update meeting for Tribes.

The NTP Study engaged and invited input from a wide range of interested parties, including tribal governments, tribal enterprises, tribal utilities, and tribal communities to help identify pathways for necessary large-scale transmission system buildouts that meet community, regional, and national objectives.

DOE asked tribal governments, tribal enterprises, tribal utilities, and tribal communities for information about interest levels and feedback through the submission of statements of interest. This engagement informed both the NTP Study and the Interregional Renewable Energy Zones (IREZ) report. The NTP Study team received several statements of interest and other forms of engagement. The team held virtual conversations and shared input with the modeling team. Final scenarios will include state-level data that Tribes can use to inform their own processes.

Statements of interest could have included, but were not limited to:

  • Identifying tribal governments or tribal enterprises engaged in large-scale clean energy development or regional transmission planning.
  • Providing a description of any tribal policies pertaining to large-scale clean energy development.
  • Identifying ways to enhance tribal engagement in transmission planning.
  • Any other interests or concerns relative to national or regional transmission planning.

Please reach out to Faith Smith ([email protected]) with questions.

Learn more about DOE's request for statements of interest by Indian tribes.

Please note that the NTP Study does not and will not provide advice, guidance, or assistance regarding applications for grants or loans under any IIJA-funded program.

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