The mission of ENERGYWERX, in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), is to expand DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners. This collaboration aims to facilitate the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of clean energy solutions through managing programs such as R-STEP.
The R-STEP program supports state and local governments in enhancing their decision-making capacity and expertise around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting. It provides funding, technical assistance, and fosters peer-to-peer information sharing to develop or expand state initiatives serving local communities. The program emphasizes increasing state and local capacity for renewable energy projects, encouraging equitable and inclusive community engagement, and disseminating technical resources. R-STEP encourages applications from state energy offices, university extension offices, tribal governments, universities, NGOs, and community-based organizations. Proposals should focus on initiatives that improve renewable energy planning and permitting, prioritize community engagement, and are submitted by collaborative teams with relevant expertise. Applicants can seek up to $2 million for activities over a 36-month period.