Role of State Energy Offices

State and territory energy policies and programs are vital to ensuring economic growth, increased energy efficiency and a greater reliance on cost-effective clean energy and renewable energy sources.

Many of the State Energy Offices were formed in response to the energy crisis of the early 1970s. These offices have evolved to become important agents of change - researching, demonstrating and deploying emerging energy technologies. These offices spur energy-related economic development and minimize the environmental impact of growth, crafting energy solutions that address their citizens' needs and increase our national energy security.

The work of the State Energy Offices is supported primarily by taxpayers. This support comes in the form of state funding for programs and activities under the direction of the governors or legislatures, as well as federal appropriations for the State Energy Program, which focuses on promoting cost-effective energy solutions. State Energy Offices are also deeply involved in developing, managing and implementing public-benefit funds associated with electricity- and gas-industry restructuring. These offices work to leverage substantial private-sector funds for energy projects.

The activities of State and Territory Energy Offices vary widely, depending upon states' indigenous resources and needs. However, most State Energy Offices:

• Advise governors and legislators on energy issues, such as electric- and gas-utility industry restructuring;
• Ensure that the needs and issues of industry, business, and residential energy consumers are considered during energy policy and program development;
• Help businesses to use energy effectively - modernizing industry and retaining and creating jobs;
• Assist in achieving energy-related environmental goals;
• Assist energy providers and consumers during energy emergencies and natural disasters to mitigate supply disruptions and coordinate state, local and regional responses;
• Support residential and other low-level energy consumers in meeting their energy needs through cost-effective and energy efficient solutions;
• Demonstrate the application of cost-effective advanced energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other clean energy technologies in real-world situations;
• Manage certain federal energy research, development, deployment and demonstration programs more effectively and at lower costs than many traditional federal program management mechanisms;
• Work with other state agencies to deploy cost-effective, state-of-the-art technologies to reduce energy consumption and meet energy-related environmental goals; and
• Communicate to the public the importance of energy to economic development and the environment, emphasizing the value of cost-effective energy efficiency measures.