Recovery Act Update: State Energy Program
The Recovery Act provided $3.1 billion in grants to states and territories through the Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. The program supports State Energy Offices carrying out their own renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, and the Recovery Act funding also required each governor to pledge improvements in state building code adoption and utility incentives for energy efficiency. All 50 states and six territories are participating in the Recovery Act program. See the Alliance Recovery Act summary for more SEP program details.
Spending Snapshot- August, 2010:
Appropriated: $3.08 billion
Awarded: $3.08 billion (100% of appropriated funds)
Spent: $309 million (10% of appropriated funds)
Source
Funding Roll Out:
DOE awarded state funding in several phases throughout the year: 10 percent after a basic application from states and territories in March 2009, 40 percent with the acceptance of their comprehensive SEP plans in June through August, and the remaining 50 percent through demonstrated program success, ongoing.
SEP Recovery Act Timeline
- March 12, 2009: DOE issues funding opportunity announcement for SEP program (Alliance Summary)
- March 23, 2009: Initial applications and governors’ letters of assurance due to DOE
- May 12, 2009: Comprehensive application and State Energy Program plans due to DOE
- June – July 2000: DOE announces awards to 50 states and six territories
- July 6, 2009: DOE issues guidance on use of revolving loan funds
- August 14, 2009: DOE releases monitoring plan for SEP, WAP and EECBG
- December 2009: DOE issues guidance documents on environmental impacts, prevailing wage requirements, and the Buy American provisions in the Recovery Act
- February 2009: DOE issues guidance on financing programs
- Quarterly: States report to DOE on program outcomes, according to reporting guidance
- September 2010: All funds to be obligated
- March 2012: All funds to be spent, except those which are placed in revolving loan funds
State Use of Funds:
State Energy Program activities vary from state to state. Most common applications are building financing programs, public and educational building retrofits, and performance contracting. In addition, many states proposed renewable energy projects, transportation programs, and job training programs. See a DOE presentation on the State Energy Program for more information on planned activities, delivered February 2010.
Resources:
SEP Recovery Act Page - Department of Energy
State Energy Program page - Department of Energy
