Supporting Energy Innovation and Affordability: State Energy Offices’ Strategic Use of U.S. State Energy Program Funds

The nation's 56 governor-designated State and Territory Energy Offices strategically target energy policy development, planning and investments to spur private-sector energy innovations, enhance energy security, and improve energy affordability. Key to the work of the State Energy Offices is the federally funded U.S. State Energy Program - a formula grant program that supports each governors' energy policy priorities across a wide range of energy opportunities and while also supporting the national energy goals of Congress and the Administration. Opportunities supported by SEP include, for example:

• Meeting high-priority needs such as "powering up the grid" for data center development and new domestic manufacturing;
• Advancing nuclear power and geothermal power development;
• Supporting increased domestic production of electric transformers and other critical grid supply chain components;
• Modernizing and planning of electric transmission and distribution for greater reliability and affordability;
• Promoting cost-effective energy efficiency options for consumers and businesses;
• Supporting private development of utility scale energy storage and renewable energy projects for resilience;
• Leveraging private investment in critical minerals development and carbon utilization; and
• Facilitating private financing of energy reliability upgrades for mission critical state and local facilities (e.g., schools, hospitals, police and fire operations).

The State Energy Offices have a wide range of examples demonstrating how they are strategically using SEP funds to meet their states' energy goals and those of the nation. NASEO gathered examples from every state to create three new informational resources:

• SEP: Stories of Impact and Innovation from 50 States
• SEP: Accelerating the Development of Advanced Nuclear
• SEP: Energy Security and Grid Actions

For more information about the states' utilization of SEP fund to spur energy innovation and affordability, or to share additional examples of SEP successes, please contact Cassie Powers ([email protected]).