Website: [energy.ny.gov/programs/state-energy-planning](https://www.energy.ny.gov/programs/state-energy-planning) ### Introduction The State Energy Program (SEP) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative established under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, with headquarters administered through the DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs in Washington, D.C. It does not have founders in the traditional sense but was authorized by Congress to provide formula and competitive grants to states for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related projects; employee count is not publicly specified as it operates via state energy offices rather than a centralized staff. The program's mission is to promote the efficient use of energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and support state-led initiatives for a resilient energy system, aligning with national goals like those in the Inflation Reduction Act; it is a [[Federal|federal]] government program, not a public or private company. SEP delivers flexible funding—over $500 million annually via formula grants post-2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—to all 50 states, D.C., and territories, enabling customized projects in buildings, transportation, industry, and grid resilience. Every four years, states like New York update their comprehensive State Energy Plans under SEP guidance, as seen in New York's 2025 adoption, which emphasizes diverse resources for reliability and affordability through 2040. ### Key Products and Technology SEP is a grant program, not a technology developer, so it funds diverse state projects rather than proprietary products. Key "products" are funded initiatives across sectors: - **Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades**: Type: Retrofit and electrification programs. Specifications: Targets 20-30% energy savings in residential/commercial buildings via audits, HVAC upgrades, and insulation. Energy source: Electricity, natural gas efficiency. Differentiators: Leverages low-income rebates under formula grants. Development stage: Operational nationwide. Target customers: States, utilities, households, businesses. - **Renewable Energy Deployment**: Type: Solar, wind, and storage incentives. Specifications: Supports GW-scale additions (e.g., New York's plan projects 28 GW solar by 2040). Energy source: Solar PV, onshore/offshore wind. Differentiators: Integrates with grid flexibility for reliability. Development stage: Operational, with ongoing expansions. Target customers: Utilities, local governments, large loads like data centers. - **Industrial and Grid Resilience**: Type: Electrification and demand response. Specifications: Reduces peak loads, supports large users. Energy source: Diverse (renewables, advanced nuclear, natural gas backups). Differentiators: Focus on affordability and equity via demand-side management. Development stage: Operational. Target customers: Industry, ISO/RTO grids. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a DOE grant program, SEP faces no NRC licensing (non-nuclear specific) but adheres to federal regulations like NEPA for environmental reviews on funded projects. States must submit annual plans to DOE for formula grant approval, with milestones including SEP Implementation Models for metric tracking (e.g., energy savings verification). Key milestones: Post-2022 Inflation Reduction Act, SEP funding tripled; 2025 state plans like New York's incorporate federal updates amid policy shifts. Upcoming: Biennial state updates, with DOE oversight on BIL/IRA compliance. No fixed commercial deployment timeline, as it supports ongoing state programs. ### Team and Leadership SEP leadership falls under DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs. Key figures include Director AnnaMaria McDeavitt, overseeing grant administration and technical assistance. At the state level, New York's plan was led by Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ([[NYSERDA]]), who emphasized pragmatic planning for reliability. No verified X handles for core SEP/DOE leaders in results; state chairs like New York Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian provide oversight. ### Funding and Financial Position SEP receives federal appropriations: $500 million+ annually in formula grants post-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021), plus $1 billion+ in competitive grants through 2026 via IRA. Latest: 2025 allocations reflect budget stability despite SLG funding pullbacks. No market cap or revenue, as it's pre-revenue government funding; states report leveraged investments (e.g., New York's plan projects $18 billion societal benefits by 2040). Key backers: DOE, with strategic alignment to IRA/BIL; no private investors. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |------|-------|---------| | Dec 16, 2025 | New York State Energy Planning Board adopts 2025 State Energy Plan | Unanimous vote on comprehensive plan through 2040, emphasizing resource diversity (solar, wind, nuclear, gas) amid CLCPA goals, reliability needs, and federal uncertainties; first full update since 2015. | | Dec 2025 | Plan highlights advanced nuclear and natural gas role | Recognizes need for 2-3 GW new nuclear and repowered combustion for reliability, supporting manufacturing growth. | | 2025 | Updates for affordability and load growth | Incorporates latest data on federal shifts, demand-side flexibility, and large loads like data centers. | | July 2025 | Draft State Energy Plan released | Initial modeling for scenarios, public engagement leading to final adoption. | | Early 2025 | SLG budget adjustments impact energy programs | States face funding pullbacks, prompting sustainable SEP best practices like enduring investments. | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **[[NYSERDA]] and State Agencies (New York)**: Joint development of State Energy Plan; strategic value: Aligns SEP funds with CLCPA for clean energy acceleration. - **Utilities and ISOs (e.g., ISO-NE implied)**: Demand flexibility and grid reliability partnerships; value: Manages peak loads, supports large users. - **Federal DOE**: Formula/competitive grants; value: Enables state customization for efficiency, renewables. - **Industry Groups (e.g., MACNY)**: Collaboration on advanced manufacturing energy needs; value: Boosts economic competitiveness via diverse resources. ### New Hampshire Relevance SEP fits well for [[New Hampshire]] via formula grants to NH's Office of Energy, supporting grid resilience near **[[Seabrook Station]]** (operational nuclear plant) and ISO-NE grid constraints. Technology readiness aligns with NH timelines for renewables/efficiency under **HB 710** (clean energy standards) and SMR provisions in recent [[Legislation|legislation]]. Applications include grid power augmentation, data center loads (growing in Northeast), and industrial heat/process efficiency. No direct NH-specific 2025 news, but Northeast parallels (e.g., New York's plan) suggest interest in diverse mixes including nuclear backups; SEP funds could leverage Seabrook for reliability. ### Competitive Position Compared to federal peers like **[[Weatherization Assistance Program]]** (WAP, DOE residential focus), SEP offers broader scope (commercial/industrial/transport) with higher flexibility. Vs. **EPA Clean School Bus** (narrow transport electrification), SEP enables holistic state plans. Unique advantages: Formula funding ensures all states participate; risks: Dependent on federal budgets amid 2025 pullbacks. Outperforms state-only initiatives by leveraging IRA scale. ### Closing Note The State Energy Program remains operational and pivotal, with strong 2025 state plan adoptions signaling pragmatic expansion despite funding pressures. *Report generated December 24, 2025*