In August 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program to expand the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting. The R-STEP program is now accepting applications for the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy siting processes at the state and local levels.
The R-STEP program is managed by ENERGYWERX in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE's Office of Technology Transitions. This agreement enables ENERGYWERX to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of clean energy solutions. ENERGYWERX is facilitating this Assessment Event (AE) to identify Collaboratives to expand state and local capacity on large-scale renewable energy siting and planning.
More details related to the six State-Based Collaboratives which were selected for awards in R-STEP Round 1 can be found at: Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning | Department of Energy
Through this R-STEP Assessment Event, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is requesting applications from state-based collaboratives (Collaboratives) aiming to create or expand existing state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy planning, communication tools, and siting processes. R-STEP will also serve as a platform for Collaboratives to share learnings and best practices with other stakeholders.
A single application should be submitted by each Collaborative or team of organizations interested in working together. DOE highly encourages state energy offices (or equivalent state agencies) and university extension offices to lead or participate in applications but recognizes that the organizations best suited to perform these activities will vary from state to state. Other organizations that could play a key role could include, but are not limited to, tribal governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations. DOE also recommends that teams include organizations familiar with the needs of local communities in the state, organizations with experience providing educational or technical assistance services to local communities on technical subjects, and organizations with technical expertise on renewable energy siting topics (e.g., environmental impacts, tax policies, land use, zoning ordinance development). DOE will not select more than one application from a single state.
Applicants are encouraged to include organizations with technical expertise as a part of the project team. Selected awardees will also be eligible to receive additional Technical Assistance (TA) from other leading experts, separate from the team’s budget. Applicants should highlight topic areas where additional TA will be necessary because expertise is lacking as part of the project team. DOE will strive to provide TA across awardees equitably based on TA requests from awardees and funding availability.
Applications should 1) focus on plans to establish or expand a state-level initiative that improves decision-making by state, local, and/or Tribal governments on large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting; 2) prioritize community engagement both to identify local needs and disseminate technical resources; and 3) be submitted by cross-disciplinary Collaboratives with experience engaging local communities and technical expertise on siting issues.
Applicants can request up to $2 million to execute proposed activities over the course of up to 3 years (36 months).
Updated October 26 – DOE may request to virtually meet with applicants during submission review
Updated October 26 – Anticipated selection early 2024
September 22, 2023 - Q&A from IW/OSS added below. Additional Frequently Asked Questions have been added to the bottom of the page.
September 28, 2023 - FAQ section was updated. Changes are highlighted below.