Website: [energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office](https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office) ### Introduction The U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO) was established in 2005 under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 as part of a [[Federal|federal]] effort to accelerate the deployment of innovative energy technologies and infrastructure projects. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., within the Department of Energy (DOE), the LPO operates under the mission to provide access to capital for high-impact energy projects that may struggle to secure traditional private financing due to perceived risks or long development timelines. Its primary goal is to support U.S. energy security, grid reliability, job creation, and the transition to cleaner energy systems while lowering costs for American consumers. The LPO does not have a publicly available employee count, as it is a government office, and it operates as a public entity under DOE oversight, not as a private or publicly traded company. The LPO has evolved significantly since its inception, with expanded authority and funding under landmark [[Legislation|legislation]] like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It plays a critical role in financing projects across clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and critical infrastructure, often acting as a catalyst for private-sector investment. The office has historically managed a portfolio worth billions, with recent updates indicating a remaining loan authority of nearly $394 billion for clean energy financing as of earlier reports ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2023/02/doe-loan-programs-office-2023-updates-overview-and-key-insights)). ### Key Products and Technology The LPO does not produce physical products or technologies itself but provides financing for a wide range of energy and infrastructure projects. Below are the key focus areas and types of projects it supports: - **Title 17 Innovative Energy Projects (Loan Guarantees)** - **Type**: Financial instrument for clean energy and advanced technology projects. - **Technical Specifications**: Covers projects with significant energy output potential (e.g., renewable energy plants in MW/MWe, efficiency improvements), though specifics depend on individual applicants. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Supports renewables (solar, wind, geothermal), nuclear, energy storage, carbon capture, and advanced fossil technologies. - **Key Differentiators**: Offers loan guarantees to de-risk projects for private investors; focuses on innovative technologies with replicable potential. - **Development Stage**: Finances projects from late-stage development to commercial deployment. - **Target Customers**: Utilities, energy developers, manufacturers, and state/local governments. - **Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Program** - **Type**: Direct loans for advanced vehicle and component manufacturing. - **Technical Specifications**: Focuses on fuel efficiency and emissions reductions in transportation; no specific power output or hashrate. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid technologies, and alternative fuels. - **Key Differentiators**: Direct lending for domestic manufacturing to enhance U.S. competitiveness in clean transportation. - **Development Stage**: Supports operational manufacturing facilities and scaling. - **Target Customers**: Automotive manufacturers and suppliers. - **Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP)** - **Type**: Loan guarantees for tribal energy development. - **Technical Specifications**: Varies by project, often small to mid-scale renewable or efficiency projects. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Primarily renewables and energy efficiency. - **Key Differentiators**: Tailored to tribal communities with partial guarantees to reduce financial barriers. - **Development Stage**: Early to mid-stage project financing. - **Target Customers**: Tribal governments and entities. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a federal program, the LPO is not subject to regulatory licensing like private entities but operates under statutory authority from Congress and oversight by the DOE. Its activities are governed by laws such as the Energy Policy Act of 2005, IIJA, and IRA, with recent legislative changes like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) reshaping its role in 2025 ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/08/how-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-reshapes-doe-loan-programs)). The LPO must comply with federal guidelines on loan issuance, risk assessment, and environmental impact reviews (e.g., NEPA compliance for funded projects). Key regulatory milestones include expanded funding authorities under recent legislation and policy shifts under the Trump Administration in 2025, which prioritize energy dominance and nuclear power financing ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/04/status-and-outlook-for-the-us-department-of-energys-loan-programs)). There is no specific timeline for "commercial deployment" as the LPO is a financier, not a project developer, but it aims to accelerate project timelines through funding availability. Recent critiques from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlight the need for improved application review processes and clearer authority definitions ([GAO](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106631)). ### Team and Leadership The LPO is led by key officials within the DOE, with leadership subject to change based on administration priorities. As of the latest available information in 2025: - **Jigar Shah, Director of Loan Programs Office** (tenure may vary with administration changes): Oversees strategy and operations of the LPO, with a background in clean energy entrepreneurship and investment. No verified X handle available in current data. - **DOE Under Secretary for Infrastructure**: Supervises broader infrastructure investments, including LPO activities, as noted in recent updates ([DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov/office-under-secretary-energy)). Leadership transitions are expected under the Trump Administration in 2025, with posts on X indicating a shift toward fossil fuel and nuclear priorities under figures like Secretary Chris Wright ([@SecretaryWright](https://x.com/SecretaryWright)). Specific bios and roles may be updated pending official DOE announcements. ### Funding and Financial Position The LPO does not "raise" funding as a private entity but administers federal loan authority appropriated by Congress. As of earlier reports, it has issued nearly $36.26 billion in loans and holds a remaining authority of approximately $394 billion for clean energy financing ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2023/02/doe-loan-programs-office-2023-updates-overview-and-key-insights)). Recent posts on X suggest last-minute loans of $22.9 billion under the prior administration in early 2025, though these figures are unverified ([X posts](https://x.com)). The LPO’s budget and priorities are influenced by annual appropriations, with the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy Funding Bill outlining continued support for infrastructure projects ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/12/senate-appropriators-release-fiscal-year-2026-energy-funding-bill)). As a government program, there is no market cap or stock performance to report. Revenue is not generated directly by LPO but through loan repayments and fees from funded projects. Recent criticism on X highlights concerns over unvetted loans and calls for oversight, indicating potential financial risks in the portfolio ([X posts](https://x.com)). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 21, 2025 | Nuclear Renaissance Initiatives | DOE cancels $13B in "Green New Scam" allocations, redirects focus to nuclear with $1B for PA plant restart ([X posts](https://x.com)). | | Dec 15, 2025 | Energy Dominance Financing RFI | DOE issues request for information for legal counsel on complex energy project financing ([X posts](https://x.com)). | | Nov 17, 2025 | Nuclear Power Financing Priority | Energy Secretary announces LPO will focus on financing nuclear power plants under Trump priorities ([X posts](https://x.com)). | | Oct 16, 2025 | Grid Modernization Loan Guarantee | Secretary Chris Wright announces loan guarantee to modernize grid and support AI and manufacturing growth ([@SecretaryWright](https://x.com/SecretaryWright)). | | Aug 15, 2025 | One Big Beautiful Bill Act Impact | New legislation overhauls LPO authorities, reshaping its role in energy infrastructure financing ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/08/how-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-reshapes-doe-loan-programs)). | | May 8, 2025 | GAO Report on LPO Challenges | GAO identifies need for improved authority and application review processes at LPO ([GAO](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106631)). | | Apr 10, 2025 | Trump Administration Strategy | LPO positioned as strategic tool for private-sector investment in energy infrastructure ([Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/04/status-and-outlook-for-the-us-department-of-energys-loan-programs)). | | Feb 16, 2025 | Staff Cuts and Policy Shift | LPO loses 25% of staff under Trump Administration, with $21.6B in EV/climate commitments at risk ([X posts](https://x.com)). | | Jan 24, 2025 | Last-Minute Biden Loans | Reports of $22.9B in loans approved, with significant allocations to Michigan, sparking oversight concerns ([X posts](https://x.com)). | | Jan 17, 2025 | LPO 2024 Year in Review | DOE highlights 2024 achievements and outlines 2025 goals for U.S. energy leadership ([DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-year-review-2024)). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Private Energy Developers and Utilities**: LPO partners with companies across renewables, nuclear, and advanced manufacturing to provide loan guarantees, reducing financial risk and accelerating project timelines. Strategic value lies in bridging funding gaps for innovative projects. - **Tribal Governments (TELGP)**: Collaborates with tribal entities to finance energy projects, enhancing energy access and economic development in underserved communities. - **State and Local Governments**: Works through programs tied to IIJA and IRA funding to deploy infrastructure investments, as noted by the Office of the Under Secretary for Infrastructure ([DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov/office-under-secretary-energy)). - **Automotive Sector (ATVM)**: Partners with manufacturers to bolster domestic EV and component production, supporting U.S. competitiveness in clean transportation. ### New Hampshire Relevance The LPO’s financing programs have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly given the state’s energy needs and proximity to existing infrastructure like [[Seabrook Station]], a nuclear power plant, and the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid. The LPO’s focus on nuclear power under the 2025 Trump Administration priorities aligns with potential interest in small modular reactors (SMRs) or grid modernization projects in the region, which could support NH’s energy reliability goals. Additionally, legislative initiatives like HB 710, which explores advanced nuclear options, could intersect with LPO funding for innovative energy projects. The LPO’s readiness to finance projects at various development stages makes it a viable partner for NH deployment timelines, especially for grid power applications or data center load growth in the Northeast. While there is no direct evidence of NH-specific projects in 2025 data, the LPO’s broader focus on Northeast infrastructure and recent grid modernization loan guarantees ([X posts](https://x.com)) suggest potential interest. Industrial heat or clean energy projects for NH’s manufacturing base could also be relevant applications. No explicit NH connections are documented in current sources, but outreach to DOE or LPO could uncover opportunities. ### Competitive Position The LPO operates in a unique space as a government financing entity, with no direct competitors in the traditional sense. However, it can be compared to other federal programs or international equivalents: - **Small Business Administration (SBA) Energy Loans**: Focuses on smaller-scale energy efficiency projects for businesses, unlike LPO’s emphasis on large infrastructure. LPO’s advantage is its scale and focus on innovation, though it faces higher scrutiny over risk. - **Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Energy Financing**: Supports U.S. energy exports, overlapping with LPO on manufacturing but lacking domestic infrastructure focus. LPO’s broader mandate gives it an edge domestically. - **European Investment Bank (EIB) Climate Financing**: Offers similar loan guarantees for energy in the EU, often with stricter green mandates. LPO’s flexibility under shifting U.S. policies (e.g., nuclear focus in 2025) is a differentiator, though it risks inconsistency. Risks for LPO include political shifts impacting funding priorities and GAO-noted inefficiencies in application reviews ([GAO](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106631)). ### Closing Note The DOE Loan Programs Office remains a pivotal financier of U.S. energy infrastructure, navigating significant policy shifts in 2025 with a renewed focus on nuclear and grid reliability while facing oversight challenges. *Report generated December 24, 2025*