Federal Department of Energy requests public input on expansive power production and distribution projects
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The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a new initiative, "Speed to Power," aimed at achieving the goals of President Trump's executive orders on "energy dominance" and the "artificial intelligence race." This initiative focuses on rapidly expanding energy generation and transmission capacity, a crucial step as analysts expect electricity demand to grow by 25% from 2023 to 2030 and 78% by 2050.
The DOE has called upon stakeholders, particularly entities involved in energy infrastructure development and related U.S. energy sector stakeholders, to report by November 21 on how to effectively use its funding programs and authorities to achieve this rapid expansion. The department has issued a request for information (RFI) on near-term investment opportunities, project readiness, load growth expectations, and infrastructure constraints.
The current rate of project development, according to the DOE, is inadequate to support the country's rapidly expanding manufacturing needs and the reindustrialization of the U.S. economy. In the first year of Trump's term, the administration has primarily focused on the development of fossil fuel and nuclear resources. However, the DOE's initiative highlights the need for more interregional transfer capacity, a point that is agreed upon by various parties across the policy spectrum.
The DOE could potentially improve port infrastructure to speed the development of offshore wind, or work with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to accelerate the interconnection of energy storage. The Natural Gas Supply Association notes that while the RFI does not directly speak to the need for gas infrastructure to support AI, natural gas investment is an integral component of this race.
The administration has faced criticism for seeking tighter restrictions for onshore wind and solar development and attempting to halt offshore wind projects. However, the DOE's initiative could serve the executive orders by working with the Department of Interior on unblocking permit approvals for offshore wind projects, or developing clean energy on federal lands.
The U.S. appetite for electricity is growing rapidly. The North American Electric Reliability Corp. expects summer peak demand to rise by 15% and winter peak demand by nearly 18% over the next decade. The White House has declared an energy emergency and has used its authorities to keep aging fossil fuel plants online.
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will be discussing the DOE's initiative and RFI in the coming weeks and will provide insights from the state regulatory community to federal colleagues. Moore suggests that these discussions could lead to meaningful collaborations that benefit both the federal and state energy sectors.
In conclusion, the DOE's "Speed to Power" initiative is a significant step towards addressing the growing demand for electricity in the U.S. and supporting the country's economic reindustrialization. By working with various stakeholders and leveraging its funding programs and authorities, the DOE aims to accelerate the development of large-scale energy generation and transmission projects, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future for the nation.
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