The US Department of Energy has announced a final transmission permitting reform rule and a new commitment for up to US$331m aimed at adding more than 2 GW of additional grid capacity throughout the Western United States. Through the creation of the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Program, the US DOE aims to improve Federal environmental reviews and permitting processes for qualifying transmission projects; it will consolidate Federal environmental reviews and authorizations within a standard two-year schedule while ensuring a transparent process and meaningful engagement with Tribes, local communities, and other stakeholders.
The announcement also includes a US$331m investment to support the construction of the Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP-North), a new 458 km transmission line from Idaho to southern Nevada that is expected to add more than 2 GW of transmission capacity to the region, enough to power around 2.5 million homes. The project also includes an upgrade to a key substation In Nevada, expected to unlock an additional 1 GW of capacity along the existing One Nevada Line, a major transmission corridor in Southern Nevada. Construction of the SWIP-North is anticipated to start in 2025.
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