The U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office on Sept. 11 expanded the existing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order 1920 technical assistance program, adding new technical assistance offerings for utilities and regional planners in long-term transmission planning.
The expansion complements GDO and the National Laboratories' existing technical assistance available to relevant state entities, including public utility commissions and state energy offices.
The expansion to GDO’s FERC Order 1920 technical assistance focuses on supporting utilities, regional transmission organizations (RTOs), and independent system operators (ISOs), in conducting long-term regional transmission planning required by FERC Order Nos. 1920, 1920-A, and 1920-B.
This technical assistance includes both longer-term support and more immediate assistance. Exact offerings are flexible based on the entity’s individual needs. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis based on displayed need, relevance to national, state, or regional issues, and solution scalability.
The expanded technical assistance is offered in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
The National Labs will hold an informational webinar on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET (10:00 am PT). Registration is required.
Application deadlines vary depending on the level of support needed.