The Issue
From pilot programs to energy code implementation to market-moving incentive programs, state and local initiatives are critical for driving efficiency into local economies. While the Alliance focuses largely on federal policy, there is a strong connection between work happening at the federal level and that in cities and states across the country.
The Solution
The Alliance works closely with fellow advocates in support of robust funding and strong authorizations for efficiency programs used by states and local governments. Despite recent proposals to cut or severely reduce funding for state and local energy efficiency programs, Congress has responded with additional support for the work happening in their states and districts.
The Department of Energy estimates that every $50 million invested in the State Energy Program delivers about $225 million in saved energy costs.
Congress sends money directly to states each year to support clean energy initiatives through the State Energy Program. States have leveraged the program to improve the energy efficiency of 43,000 buildings and educate more than 2.9 million energy auditors and contractors. Similarly, the federal Weatherization Assistance Program provides invaluable support in weatherizing about 35,000 homes for low-income families each year across the country. Weatherization assistance funding supports 8,500 jobs and saves participating low-income households about $280 on energy bills each year.
In the case of building energy codes, the Department plays a limited but important role in the development of the International Energy Conservation Code, which serves as a template for state and local governments to adopt and enforce. The Department provides critical technical assistance and analysis, and gathers field data used to help determine compliance.