DOE issued a final transmission permitting reform rule to expedite review timelines. The rule is expected to reduce the expected time for permitting approval from four years to two years, while retaining strong protections and opportunities for community input. Specifically, the rule requires project proponents to engage in “robust engagement with the public, communities of interest, and Indian Tribes.” Communities of interest include “disadvantaged communities, rural communities, geographically proximate communities, communities with environmental justice concerns, and energy communities.” The rule streamlines agency coordination and collaboration to consolidate environmental reviews and authorization to the new two year schedule. The rule went into effect on May 31, 2024.