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State and Local Energy Project Assistance

NREL helps states and local communities throughout the United States achieve their clean energy goals by supporting renewable energy and energy-saving projects through a variety of technical assistance and technology deployment programs.

Technical Assistance Programs

NREL provides technical assistance to state and local energy projects through the following initiatives and programs:

  • Best Practices: State Clean Energy Policies Analysis (SCEPA)

    SCEPA is a collaborative effort among NREL, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state stakeholders. The program helps state policy-makers and implementers determine which policies will have the greatest impact toward achieving state clean energy goals.

  • Green Power

    The Green Power Network provides information about green power options in various states, as well as the policies behind them.

  • Renewable Energy Communities

    This project focuses on developing a renewable energy systems approach to community design—incorporating sustainable planning, net-zero energy homes, advanced vehicles, and innovative utility interconnections. Learn more about these efforts in A Renewable Energy Community: Key Elements (PDF 580 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

  • State Energy Program (SEP)

    SEP provides grants to states and directs funding to state clean energy initiatives from technology programs in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

  • Technical Assistance Project for State and Local Officials (TAP)

    TAP provides state and local officials with quick, short-term access to experts at DOE national laboratories who can assist with their energy efficiency programs and inform policies.

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

    NREL provides technical support to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural development through implementation of the Rural Energy for America Program. For more information about NREL's role, contact Misty Conrad.

Learn more about the on-the-ground technical assistance NREL provides in support of comprehensive energy solutions in Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as at military bases and polar sites.

State and Local Deployment Programs

NREL strives to increase the scale of clean energy technology deployment in U.S. states and localities by supporting these DOE technology deployment projects and initiatives:

  • Biomass Program

    NREL works with DOE and the National Biomass State and Regional Partnerships group to provide regional leadership for policies and technical issues to help advance the use of biomass.

  • Builders Challenge Program

    NREL supports this program's mission of increasing the overall energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings through the Building Technologies Program. We collaborate with the building industry and manufacturers to test and evaluate new building designs, technologies, and equipment; promote energy and money-saving opportunities to builders and consumers; and work with state and local regulatory groups to improve building codes and appliance standards.

  • Clean Cities

    NREL helps promote more widespread use of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies by providing technical and strategic support to local coalitions and vehicle fleets. We provide information about DOE Clean Cities resources, financial opportunities, and technology basics; offer unbiased information about fuel and vehicle technologies to help guide informed decisions about transportation options; and create links to research and development projects that can help inform activities.

  • EPACT Transportation Regulatory Activities

    NREL provides technical, policy, and project development support to help DOE implement requirements under federal legislation. Tools and resources developed by NREL help state and alternative fuel provider fleets meet and exceed requirements.

  • Solar American Cities

    NREL provides technical assistance to local partnerships comprising municipal, county, and state agencies, solar companies, universities, utilities, and nonprofit organizations working to power their cities with clean, safe, reliable solar energy.

  • Wind Powering America

    NREL research and development supports the Wind Powering America initiative's goal of dramatically increasing the use of wind energy throughout the United States while establishing new sources of income for farmers, Native Americans, and other rural landowners.

Learn more about our range of capabilities that support energy efficiency and renewable energy technology deployment projects.

More Information

For additional information about U.S. state and local energy options and projects, explore the following resources:

If you're interested in learning more about NREL's expertise in these areas, contact Roger Taylor.