DOE Issues Final Request for Qualifications for Carbon-Pollution-Free Electricity Projects at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Site

CARLBAD, N.M. - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to notify interested parties and prospective offerors that DOE wishes to enter into a realty agreement for carbon-pollution-free electricity (CFE) projects at the Department's Office of Environmental ManagementWaste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Site.

Potential projects include nuclear energy, wind, solar, hydrogen development, energy storage and other clean energy technologies. The anticipated due date for receipt of proposal submission is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

This RFQ marks the next phase of DOE's Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative to increase clean energy production by making DOE land available for potential CFE projects. The initiative aims to achieve President Joe Biden's goal for agencies to use their properties for the development of new clean electricity generation in support of the Biden administration's clean energy and climate goals.

This RFQ announcement follows a request for information (RFI), which closed on March 20. The RFI invited industry, government and community members to comment on the potential use of WIPP land for CFE projects. DOE also held a Cleanup to Clean Energy Information Day on March 27, which invited interested parties and community members to learn more about the initiative, RFI and WIPP Site.