[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 217 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 77571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24898]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Availability of National Transmission Needs Study

AGENCY: Grid Deployment Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of 
availability of the final ``National Transmission Needs Study'' (Needs 
Study) pursuant to the Federal Power Act, which requires DOE to conduct 
a study of electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion 
every three years. The Needs Study will inform the potential exercise 
of DOE's National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designation 
authority and the use of other DOE authorities and funding related to 
electric transmission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Adria Brooks, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Grid Deployment Office, via (202) 586-2006; or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE's Grid Deployment Office (GDO) is 
announcing the availability of the ``National Transmission Needs 
Study'' (Needs Study). Section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 
as recently amended by section 40105 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (IIJA), requires DOE to conduct a study of historic and 
anticipated future electric transmission capacity constraints and 
congestion every three years. The Needs Study implements that statutory 
provision and replaces what was formerly known as the National Electric 
Transmission Congestion Study.
    Pursuant to section 216(a)(1), DOE has consulted with states, 
Tribes, and appropriate regional reliability entities regarding the 
Needs Study, including by providing a consultation draft in October 
2022 for review and comment by these entities, holding a series of six 
audience-specific webinars following release of the consultation draft, 
and making available DOE staff for phone calls and meetings. On March 
6, 2023, a draft Needs Study was made available for public comment. The 
draft Needs Study included revisions made in response to comments and 
input that DOE received from states, Tribes, and regional reliability 
entities. The final Needs Study incorporates feedback received during 
the public comment period held between March 6 and April 20, 2023.
    Pursuant to section 216(a)(2) of the FPA, the study would inform 
any decision to exercise DOE's National Interest Electric Transmission 
Corridor designation authority. The Needs Study will also inform DOE as 
it coordinates the use of other authorities and funding related to 
electric transmission. These include new authorities under the IIJA and 
existing DOE programs, such as grid-related research and development 
and financing authorities that support grid infrastructure development. 
Members of the public can visit GDO's website to access the Needs Study 
at: www.energy.gov/gdo/national-transmission-needs-study.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on November 3, 
2023, by Maria D. Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, pursuant 
to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with 
the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of the Department of Energy. The administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2023-24898 Filed 11-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P