Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™)

DOE is looking for experts in key planning, siting, and permitting topics to provide technical assistance to R-STEP Collaboratives. Learn more and apply by Jan. 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET.

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) program expands the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting.  

DOE has awarded $29 million total to 16 state-based collaboratives under the R-STEP program. Learn more about the selections.

Vision

By supporting state-level programs that serve as a resource to their local areas, R-STEP helps communities better plan for and meaningfully engage in the development of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. This effort accelerates renewable energy deployment by supporting the establishment of more predictable, community-oriented, and science-based siting processes for renewable energy developers and permitting authorities.

Deploying these projects in a way that is informed by meaningful community engagement can unlock opportunities for community wealth-building, workforce development, increased grid resilience, and electricity bill savings, especially in rural or underserved communities. Through these collaboratives, state-based entities will act as trusted messengers to provide the capacity and knowledge needed for rapid, equitable expansion of clean energy.

To support improved siting processes, R-STEP provides competitive funding and technical assistance, opportunities for state-to-state engagement, and informational resources like best practices. R-STEP will grow as a go-to resource for convening, information sharing, and supporting the expansion of state-based renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting programs.

Impact

Through two competitive rounds of funding, R-STEP is supporting 16 state-based collaboratives working across 17 states. These collaboratives are each implementing unique activities and developing resources tailored to the needs of stakeholders in their states. In addition, R-STEP awardees are receiving technical assistance from experts on topics such as environmental impacts, community benefit agreements, zoning ordinances, community engagement strategies, fire safety and codes, and much more.

What is Siting?

Renewable energy siting refers to a complex series of decision-making processes and actions that determine the location and design of new wind, solar, storage, or other renewable energy facilities.

State and local governments have critical roles in facilitating and approving large-scale renewable energy facilities but may not always have the resources, time, or expertise to proactively plan for future deployment of these facilities or to address siting barriers.

Learn more about large-scale renewable energy siting.

Selected State-Based Collaboratives

Map of Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning selections and highlighted states

The R-STEP program has announced state-based collaborations supporting: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Award amounts, specific objectives, and collaborative partners are subject to change pending negotiations. Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicant will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time. DOE award amounts are subject to change pending negotiations.

The R-STEP funding and technical assistance opportunity is managed by ENERGYWERX(link is external) in partnership with the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office and Wind Energy Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and is made possible through the innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement set up by the DOE Office of Technology Transitions.

Questions about the R-STEP funding and technical assistance opportunity can be submitted to info@energywerx.org.