In September 2025, the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office released a request for information (RFI) entitled “Accelerating speed to power.” CPE submitted a response in November 2025. Our submission contributes to our team’s work designing business models that states and the federal government can use to finance and build out a coordinated bulk power grid that can manage large load demand while preserving resilience and price stability for ratepayers.
The RFI asked respondents what capacities the Department of Energy should exercise to support the rapid buildout of new energy generation and bulk electricity transmission assets. Our submission makes the following recommendations:
- Provide concessional capital in a manner that substitutes for high-cost equity in utility capital stacks.
- Prioritize reform of the national interest designation process for transmission projects so that the Department can utilize the Transmission Facility Financing Program (TFF).
- Prioritize lines in the Mountain West region using the Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP) and loan authorities at DOE.
- Remove obstacles to the synchronization of approval processes for loan, technical assistance, and other deployment support programs that project developers seek to access.
- Continue working with Congress to ensure the passage of regular grid planning.
- Use the Energy Dominance Financing facility to support the development of site-specific flexible capacity for large loads, particularly via batteries and energy storage technologies.
- Make it easier to pool different projects into a portfolio so that the project portfolio can pursue Title 17 financing.
You can preview our submission below or open it here.