About this programme
The Loan Programs Office (LPO) is the U.S. Department of Energy's financing arm, now operating as the Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF). It issues federal loan guarantees to American energy and manufacturing projects, with a stated mission of securing U.S. energy assets, boosting innovation, expanding affordable energy access, creating jobs, and bolstering national security.
EDF's flagship vehicle is the Energy Dominance Financing Program (EDFP), also referred to as Section 1706, which guarantees loans for projects that add energy to the grid or enhance grid reliability. Eligible project categories include retooling, repowering, repurposing or replacing energy infrastructure that has ceased operations; increasing the capacity and output of existing operating infrastructure; supporting known or forecastable electric supply needed to maintain grid reliability; and critical materials and minerals supply chain projects.
EDFP eligibility spans nuclear, coal, oil and gas generation, geothermal and hydropower, grid resilience technology and energy storage, transmission infrastructure upgrades, refinery retrofitting, and critical minerals and materials production, as well as manufacturing, advanced transportation, and Tribal energy-related investments. This is a large-project federal loan guarantee program, not a small-business grant — applicants are typically capital-intensive infrastructure developers, utilities, and industrial project sponsors.
The office is led by Director Gregory A. Beard, Deputy Director Phil Kangas, and Chief Investment Officer Hernan Cortes, and is based at DOE headquarters in Washington, DC.
How it works
EDF provides federal loan guarantees rather than direct grants — the government guarantees repayment of a loan the project raises, which is intended to lower the project's cost of capital.
The process starts with a no-cost pre-application consultation, which applicants can request through the DOE's designated application portal for projects that potentially meet eligibility criteria.
After the pre-application stage, applicants move to a formal application with an eligibility determination, followed by a due diligence phase that the office describes as typically taking six months or longer, sometimes over a year, during which project readiness and repayment prospects are assessed.
Who can apply
Projects must fall within EDFP's eligible categories: retooling, repowering, repurposing or replacing ceased energy infrastructure; increasing capacity/output of operating infrastructure; supporting grid reliability through known or forecastable electric supply; or critical materials and minerals supply chain projects.
Eligible technologies span nuclear, coal, oil and gas power generation, geothermal, hydropower, grid resilience and energy storage, transmission upgrades, refinery retrofits, and critical minerals/materials production, along with manufacturing, advanced transportation, and Tribal energy investments.
How to apply
- Request a no-cost pre-application consultation through the DOE loan programs application portal.
- Submit a formal application, which goes through an eligibility determination.
- Enter the due diligence phase, where DOE assesses project readiness and repayment prospects — this typically runs six months to over a year.
Frequently asked
What is the DOE Loan Programs Office / Office of Energy Dominance Financing?
It is the U.S. Department of Energy's financing office, now operating as the Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF), which issues federal loan guarantees to American energy and manufacturing projects that contribute to U.S. energy security.
What does the Energy Dominance Financing Program (Section 1706) actually fund?
It guarantees loans for projects that add energy to the grid or enhance reliability — including retooling or replacing ceased infrastructure, increasing output of operating infrastructure, supporting grid-reliability electric supply, and critical minerals/materials supply chain projects.
What technologies are eligible?
Nuclear, coal, oil and gas generation, geothermal, hydropower, grid resilience technology and energy storage, transmission infrastructure upgrades, refinery retrofitting, critical minerals and materials production, manufacturing, advanced transportation, and Tribal energy-related investments.
How do you start the application process?
By requesting a no-cost pre-application consultation through the DOE loan programs application portal for a project that potentially meets EDFP eligibility criteria.
How long does the loan review take?
DOE describes the due diligence phase — after the formal application and eligibility determination — as typically taking six months or longer, and sometimes more than a year, while it assesses project readiness and repayment prospects.
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a loan guarantee program, not a grant. DOE guarantees repayment of a loan the project raises rather than providing the capital directly.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.