The United States Department of Energy's State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices from technology programs in Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Started in 2010, the program "is the only program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that provides cost-shared resources directly to the states for allocation by the governor-designated State Energy Office for use in energy efficiency and clean energy innovation, development, and demonstration activities.” The State Energy Program $3 billion funding will be used to provide rebates to consumers for home energy audits or other energy-saving improvements; to develop renewable energy; to promote Energy Star products; to upgrade the energy efficiency of state and local government buildings; and other innovative state efforts to help families save money on their energy bills. The energy efficiency upgrades are to be available for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Program History Originally the State Energy Conservation Program, the State Energy programs implementation was a result of the early 1970s energy crisis. The crisis brought attention to the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. As a result, new legislation was created to establish conservation programs and promote energy efficiency. Legislation that formed SEP framework:
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (P.L. 94–163) The Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (P.L. 94–385) The Warner Amendment of 1983 (P.L. 95–105) The State Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990 (P.L. 101–440) The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 (P.L. 102–486) The State Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990 (P.L. 101–440) The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 (P.L. 102–486)
Mission The State Energy Program's main purpose is to provide funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Each department's main goals are to increase energy efficiency while reducing energy costs and waste; as well as to achieve energy security, resiliency, and emergency preparedness plans. Promoting economic growth along with improved environmental quality rounds out the department's goals. That State Energy program has provided states with $300 million in financial assistance since 2010. This financial support has led to The Installation of more tax 60,000 renewable energy systems. Energy efficiency upgrades in 20,000 buildings that have led to reduced energy waste. Education of more than 2 million people in performing energy audits and upgrades. The State Energy Program has created a space to help state and local governments create partnerships with energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. The resources are meant to develop financing mechanisms for institutional programs. Such As:
Loan Program and Management Energy Saving Performance Contracting Transportation programs Residential programs for Homeowners
Programs All 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia receive funding and technical assistance from the State Energy Program. (The following programs are a selection of programs and not a completed list.)
Alabama The Energy Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs utilizes SEP funds to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and promote market acceptance and deployment of energy-efficiency and renewable energy technologies throughout the state. As of 2012 five loans have been executed: one to a yarn plant to install energy efficiency equipment in its manufacturing facilities expected to cut utility costs by 15%; another to fund improvements in a paper company's headquarters and sawmill operations and cut utility costs by 25% and 12%, respectively; another loan is being used to purchase and install energy efficient equipment in 118 K-12 schools with expected savings to surpass $1 million a year; Retrofits in Alabama Department of Corrections facilities are also being funded; Automotive Industrial Efficiency Program is working to help automotive supply chain companies to reduce energy consumption. Alabama has received $7 million from the SEP since 2010. The funds have been used to create and retain 500 jobs. Over 6 million square feet of building space has been retrofitted in over 100 buildings. More than 20,000 people were newly trained in energy efficiency installations.
Alaska Alaska has received $4 million from the SEP, helping them create 300 jobs and train 5,300 people in energy efficiency installations. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) administers SEP-funded projects. In 2010 a $250 million revolving loan fund to support energy upgrades in public facilities was developed with a goal of increasing per capita energy efficiency by 15% by 2020. The AEA is also working to replace a total of eleven school buses with electric vehicles.
California The California Energy Commission was created in 1974 and uses SEP funds to support its Appliance Efficiency Program. In the past ten years, California has received $26.2 million from the SEP. Approximately 1,800 jobs have been created or retained and 6,250 people have been trained in energy efficiency installations. Appliance efficiency regulations have been adopted to replace computers and computer monitors, portable electric spas, light emitting diode (LED) and small diameter directional lamps, portable air conditioners, commercial and industrial air compressors, and spray sprinkler bodies with efficient versions. The replacement of theses products is set to save more than 6,800 GWh of electricity and over 150 billion gallons of water annually as well as cutting utility bill costs by approximately $2 billion per year.
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
