Assistance

​The Transmission Infrastructure Program (TIP) leverages WAPA's transmission development expertise to help selected applicants address specific project development requirements. To apply for project development assistance from TIP, prospective applicants must follow the process below.

​Application Submission Process and Fees

To be considered for project development assistance from TIP, a Project Applicant must submit a Project Proposal and Business Plan Proposal, along with advance payment to cover the costs associated with application screening and evaluation.

There are two options for submitting proposals and payment to apply for assistance from TIP.

Option 1: Submit Project Proposal and Initial Payment of $50,000

This option allows applicants who have not yet developed a full Business Plan Proposal to apply for TIP with a project proposal and partial application payment.

The project proposal should provide an outline of the proposed project, and must, at minimum, include:

• A detailed description of the proposed project (including transmission route information, or commercially financeable energy storage or other grid technology design, if applicable, and a preliminary financial model)

• The proposed role for TIP during project development

• Sufficient information to demonstrate the project meets, or is reasonably expected to meet, TIP's project criteria.

Option 2: Submit Project Proposal, Business Plan Proposal and Full Payment of $250,000

This option allows applicants who have developed a full Business Plan Proposal to submit a Project Proposal (see description under Option ​1, Business Plan Proposal and full payment of $250,000. The Business Plan Proposal is a preliminary plan prepared by the Project Applicant that  includes project development, commercial and financial plans supported by financial model projections. Based on the project development assistance received, this detailed, comprehensive document will mature and be revised by the Project Applicant as needed to prepare the project for loan financing.

For both options, payment is due within three business days of the application submittal.

Application Review Process

Applications for project development are reviewed by TIP on a quarterly basis near the beginning of each fiscal quarter (approximately January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1) to determine whether proposed projects qualify for the program. TIP will review all submitted project proposals and promptly notify the Project Applicant of its determination in writing. The review timeframe for project proposals is 30 calendar days.

If at any point TIP determines that a project proposal does not meet the project criteria or otherwise qualify for the program, TIP will notify the Project Applicant and return any funds paid in excess of actual costs incurred by TIP.

If, after review and evaluation, TIP approves the project proposal, the Project Applicant will have six months to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with WAPA. The MOU sets out non-disclosure and other customary confidentiality provisions (see example). After signing the MOU, Project Applicants who selected application submission and payment option 1 will have one year to submit a Business Plan Proposal and application payment balance of $200,000.

Due to the varying nature and complexity of Business Plan Proposals, TIP cannot establish a firm fixed timeframe for reviewing Business Plan Proposals but will work to complete its review expeditiously while keeping Project Applicants apprised of its progress.

​Freedom of Information Act

As an agency of the United States Government, WAPA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 .S.C. § 552). Accordingly, information submitted to WAPA by Project Applicants may be released if requested under FOIA.  Applicants may, however, request that sensitive information be treated as privileged or confidential under FOIA Exemption 4 and protected from public disclosure. Materials that contain confidential commercial or financial information and are so designated, and that meet FOIA and the U.S. Department of Energy's implementing criteria, will be treated as exempt from public release.

​Additional information

For additional information about TIP's project development technical assistance, see the Federal Register Notice. For questions or concerns about the loan application process, contact TIP via email or by calling 720-962-7710.

Helpful Links

​Project proposal recommended (PDF)

Email us to request a pro forma Business Proposal Financial model 

​Email your application to us