First Request for Qualifications Issued for Generating Clean Energy on DOE-Owned Lands

Cleanup to Clean Energy Initiative Advances with Draft Request for Qualifications on Potential Use of Hanford Land

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued for public comment the first Request for Qualifications (RFQ) related to the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative focused on generating clean energy on DOE owned lands.

Building on the Request for Information issued in August, the draft RFQ includes details about the effort, outlines factors that may be considered during evaluation of future proposals and solicits input from parties interested in leasing land at the Hanford Site in Washington State to develop utility scale carbon pollution free electricity projects (CFE). Public comment is encouraged through February 5th and will be used to develop a final Request for Qualifications.

“Hanford is prepared for its next phase of environmental cleanup success and well positioned to help meet our nation’s clean energy goals,” said William “Ike” White, Senior Advisor for Environmental Management. “Under the leadership of Secretary Granholm, EM will continue working with local communities and tribes to advance cleanup while leveraging opportunities like the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative to help lead us into a clean energy future.”

America’s energy security, economic resilience, and climate leadership require the nation to dramatically increase clean energy production over the next several decades. DOE is playing a critical leadership role in achieving this goal, not only through policy implementation but also the strategic use of DOE federal facilities and lands.

Working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including industry, Federal entities, tribes, state, and local officials, DOE is exploring opportunities to lease Federal land for the buildout of large-scale clean energy projects. The Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative will help achieve President Biden’s ambitious climate goals and the directive in Executive Order 14057 for agencies to use their properties for the development of new clean electricity generation.

At Hanford, DOE has identified approximately 19,000 acres of contiguous land that could potentially be used for industrial activities including CFE generation and storage. DOE may decide to lease part or all the available land for CFE, or award leases to one or multiple entities for CFE. Potential CFE projects include solar, wind, and nuclear projects.

DOE will continue to communicate and partner with industry, tribal nations, communities, stakeholders, regulators, and others as a process to potentially develop clean energy projects on DOE land is developed and implemented.