Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants is a grant from U.S. Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office that funds state, local, and tribal government entities working to accelerate permitting and siting of high-voltage, interstate transmission projects and support economic development in communities impacted by transmission construction and operation.

Part of a $760 million federal investment program, the initiative includes two distinct grant types: siting and permitting grants and economic development grants. The DOE has already selected 20 projects across 16 states for up to $371 million in the first round, with siting grants covering analytical and community engagement work and economic development grants supporting infrastructure projects along major transmission corridors.

Awards range from $1,000,000 to $10,000,000.

Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants Program | Department of Energy Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants Program The Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) Grant Program is a $760 million investment to advance critical transmission projects by accelerating siting and permitting while supporting economic development efforts in communities impacted by transmission construction and operation.

On July 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected 20 projects across 16 states to receive up to $371 million to accelerate the permitting of high-voltage, interstate transmission projects and support community infrastructure projects along major new and upgraded transmission lines. The TSED program includes two distinct grants: grants for siting and permitting activities and grants for economic development activities.

GDO selected four siting and permitting projects for a combined federal investment of more than $17 million. GDO selected 16 economic development projects for a combined investment of more than $353 million.

Siting and Permitting Grants DOE Investment: $1,699,965 Project Description: Alamosa County will conduct an analysis and extensive community engagement around three potential transmission corridors to identify the optimal route to increase electric transmission capacity to the Upper Rio Grande Valley in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

Illinois Commerce Commission DOE Investment: $8,281,841 Project Description: The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will launch a comprehensive new initiative to streamline and improve the transmission siting process for certain MISO Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 1 Projects traversing the state, which will help unlock new clean energy generation in Illinois and bolster reliability and resilience across the MISO footprint.

In addition to improving community engagement, the ICC will also digitize records and upgrade public-facing databases that house data on environmental and cultural resources along the two transmission lines under review.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission DOE Investment: $4,565,510 Project Description: The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) will accelerate its siting decision-making process on certain PJM Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Projects traversing the state by expanding its public and community engagement, participating in more site visits and public input hearings, and providing education and training opportunities to its staff.

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin DOE Investment: $3,005,458 Project Description: The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) will hire more staff and increase resources to accelerate its review of certain MISO Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 1 Projects traversing the state, which includes three interstate high-voltage transmission lines.

The PSCW will also increase its outreach and engagement with the public, improve its coordination with other siting entities, and develop plain language educational materials on high-voltage transmission lines.

Economic Development Grants Baker School District 5J, Oregon DOE Investment: $1,100,000 Project Description: Baker School District 5J and the Baker Technical Institute (BTI), with support from the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, will launch the Lineman College and Training Hub in Baker City, Oregon to train new workers who will support local small businesses, large employers in the area, and local governments.

, The Training Hub will help meet growing demand for utility workers and anticipate future demand for skilled workers in broadband, energy, and electrical infrastructure roles. DOE Investment: $17,650,000 Project Description: The City of Guymon’s Mesa Water Project will address water scarcity challenges and bolster water infrastructure in Guymon, Oklahoma, strengthening the long-term sustainability and resilience of the community.

The project will include groundwater modeling, preliminary test well design, environmental and cultural assessments, well construction, and system commissioning.

City of Lordsburg, New Mexico DOE Investment: $1,800,000 Project Description: As a community hosting the Southline Transmission Project, the City of Lordsburg, in collaboration with multiple partners, will launch the Lordsburg Revitalization Project, a comprehensive investment to renovate downtown Lordsburg and bolster economic development, create opportunities for small businesses, and catalyze job growth.

City of Mott, North Dakota DOE Investment: $14,284,567 Project Description: As a community impacted by the North Plains Connector (NPC) transmission line, the City of Mott will construct the Cannonball Community Complex (CCC), a multi-purpose, accessible community center that will stimulate the local economy, create new job opportunities for the local community, and help offset the impact of a new transmission line under development.

The CCC will also serve as a shelter from severe weather and as a central base for essential services in emergency situations.

DOE Investment: $10,708,054 Project Description: As a community impacted by the Southline Transmission Project, the City of Willcox will launch the Willcox Open Space and Riparian Area Conservation Project to preserve Cochise Lake as a wetland sanctuary for birds and other wildlife and boost tourism and economic development in the region.

The project will modernize Cochise Lake’s underground water delivery system to ensure the wetland area has sufficient resources, in addition to building a visitor’s center and adding recreational and camping facilities to increase tourism.

Colorado Department of Local Affairs DOE Investment: $9,500,000 Project Description: The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development, Inc (SECED) will launch the Southeast Economic Development Grant Program (SEED Grant Program) to help secure benefits for communities in Southeastern Colorado impacted by the development of the Three Corners Connector (3CC) transmission project.

The SEED Grant Program will sub-grant funding to local public and not-for-profit organizations that will provide economic development, workforce training, and other opportunities to communities impacted by the transmission line.

Guymon Public Schools, Oklahoma DOE Investment: $50,000,000 Project Description: As a community hosting the Three Corners Connector (3CC) transmission line, the Guymon Public School District will construct a new junior high school and workforce development center, catalyzing sustained economic growth through job creation and opening up new educational opportunities for students and local residents.

New student facilities will include an outdoor environmental science classroom and a specialized STEM lab, and the workforce development center will provide trainings and classes for adults.

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources DOE Investment: $42,328,000 Project Description: The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the Town of Barnstable will install a renewable energy-powered microgrid at the Barnstable High School and Intermediate School Complex. The microgrid will help reduce energy expenses, making more funding evaluable for educational programming.

The microgrid will also help eliminate particulate and greenhouse gas emissions from boilers and gas heating, improve indoor air quality, and increase community resilience by expanding emergency shelter space and enabling electric vehicle charging in emergencies.

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity DOE Investment: $35,751,540 Project Description: The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will invest in workforce development initiatives to build a skilled workforce to support transmission construction and clean energy investments in the two counties affected by the Helix-Hiple transmission line, one of the MISO Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 1 projects.

LEO will provide specialized education and training through electric utility apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, as well as training for EV infrastructure construction and installation. LEO will also invest in a low-income energy fund to support a residential weatherization program, as well as provide utility stipends to residents in communities impacted by the siting of a new transmission line.

Montana Department of Commerce DOE Investment: $47,459,092 Project Description: The Montana Department of Commerce’s Southeastern Montana Transmission Siting and Economic Development Initiative (SM-TSED) will sub-grant funding to the rural counties of Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe to help mitigate the impact of construction of the North Plains Connector (NPC) transmission line.

The SM-TSED program will enable these rural and Tribal communities to invest funding in critical community infrastructure, including emergency and medical services, transportation, water, and sewage services, and climate mitigation projects.

New Jersey Economic Development Authority DOE Investment: $50,000,000 Project Description: The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will catalyze civic engagement, workforce development, and economic mobility in New Jersey communities impacted by the development of offshore wind transmission projects.

NJEDA will fund projects identified and chosen by local residents through Participatory Budgeting, during which residents propose, vote on, and lead spending decisions for projects in localities where new renewable transmission infrastructure is sited. NJEDA will also provide pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training opportunities for electrical careers in partnership with the IBEW Local Union 400.

Lastly, NJEDA will build new bike trails along transmission rights-of-way and link them with multiple existing paths to connect state, county, and municipal parks. DOE Investment: $43,538,714 Project Description: The New York Power Authority will implement the Propel NY Energy Sustainable Communities Initiative, which will make funding available to communities impacted by the Propel NY transmission project.

The initiative would work with local schools, housing authorities, and community service agencies to develop energy education and job opportunities for residents in impacted communities.

Northeast Oregon Economic Development District DOE Investment: $15,000,000 Project Description: The Northeast Oregon Economic Development District will help implement the Northeast Oregon Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and fund community-identified projects in Baker and Union counties, which are impacted by the development of the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line.

The program will fund economic development projects that focus on workforce, housing, business development, and infrastructure and promote a more resilient and vibrant economy while improving community well-being. Roosevelt Custer Regional Council, North Dakota Project Description: The Roosevelt Custer Regional Council will expand the Amidon Fire Department’s Fire Hall, boosting community safety, resilience, and well-being.

The expansion project will enable the Fire Department to house more equipment in bad weather, reduce the Amidon Fire Department’s response time, and provide new space for maintenance and training. The Amidon Fire Department is a volunteer, rural fire department that serves the rural communities surrounding Amidon, and enhancing the department’s facilities will enhance their emergency response capabilities.

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians, California DOE Investment: $5,584,683 Project Description: The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians (SYBCI) will establish the Santa Ynez Chumash Oceanographic Institute to equip Tribal members with education, training, and professional development opportunities in ocean and coastal policy and science.

The Oceanographic Institute will both enhance the Tribe’s capacity to collaborate on the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, as well as train Tribal members to advise and staff government agencies and companies that oversee ocean and coastal activities and site, permit, and develop offshore wind and offshore wind transmission projects.

Virginia Department of Energy DOE Investment: $8,380,735 Project Description: The Virginia Department of Energy, through the Hampton Roads Energy Workforce Development Initiative, will address the critical need for skilled workers in Hampton Roads’ emerging clean energy sector by connecting members of the community with training opportunities and job prospects.

The project aims to connect approximately 350 individuals to jobs within the clean energy sector of Hampton Roads. * DOE will not be making selections for a second round of TSED grants as all unobligated TSED funding was rescinded by the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Visit the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor to see which financing program is right for you and check out the State and Tribal Resource Hub for more valuable information for communities. Across the country, the electric grid is under unprecedented pressure to deliver more power than ever before! From extreme weather to rising demand, our power systems face increasing challenges.

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Grid Deployment Office has launched the Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) Grants program, a multimillion-dollar program to support tribal, state, and local communities affected by the construction or upgrades of high-voltage interstate or offshore electricity transmission lines. Grid Deployment Office (GDO)