Pre-application offers a chance to share information and data about a project before applying. While optional, it can help ensure that, when submitted, an application is complete.
Steps in Application review
Select one of the steps to view details.
About this milestone
Typically, pre-application starts with a meeting to discuss a planned energy facility. Our goal is to begin an ongoing conversation to help identify stakeholders and to avoid unnecessary costs and delays. By the end of the pre-application process, an application that passed through the pre-application stage is more likely to be ready for our official review.
Benefits of the pre-application process
Pre-application discussions allow us to find potential issues with facility plans and additional data or studies that a potential applicant may need to prepare before applying.
A pre-application review can help prevent:
- Major changes to facility plans
- Delays in the conduct of studies that can only happen during certain seasons
- Expensive solutions to avoidable problems
- Missed opportunities or delays in engaging state and local agencies, tribes, and other interested groups
- The need to find a different location
- Canceling of a project
Pre-application tracks
We offer two tracks, or options, for pre-application reviews. Neither requires a potential applicant to submit an application to get started. Instead, each track can help a potential applicant prepare to apply.
Track 1: A review from our staff only
This option only takes our staff a few hours to complete. It doesn’t require any studies, help from contractors, or additional administrative work.
If a potential applicant chooses this option, they don't need to pay a deposit until they apply.
Track 2: A review from outside experts
This option requires help from consultants or contracted agencies. It may include formal studies, reviews from subject matter experts (SMEs), and additional administrative work.
If a potential applicant chooses this option, they’ll need to pay a $10,000 deposit. We’ll also provide an account code that allows us to bill for the costs of the review.
Related steps
After completing pre-application, a potential applicant may submit an application for site certification. If a potential applicant chose track 1, they may also want to complete track 2 to ensure their application is ready for review.
