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NASEO News

 2006

Read NASEO's post-election overview and the likely impacts on energy legislation in the 110th Congress Click here.

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $49.5 Million for SEP

The Senate Appropriations Committee on June 29 approved $49.5 million in FY ’07 funding for the State Energy Program.   The amount is equal to the President’s request for the program.   Without discussion, the Committee unanimously adopted the energy and water development bill (H.R. 5427) for the Department of Energy, which includes the SEP funding.   The bill will go to the Senate floor after the Fourth of July recess and then will be conferenced with the House bill (H.R. 5427), which includes only $25 million for the SEP.

Overall, the budget would provide $24.7 billion to DOE, a $658 million increase over the Administration’s budget request. 

SEP Funding Amendment Passes House

The termination of FY ’07 funding for the State Energy Program (SEP) by the House of Representatives was averted on May 24 with the adoption of an amendment providing $25 million, down from $49.5 million recommended by the President. The amendment, offered by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CN), passed on a vote of 217-204.

The House Appropriations Committee had earlier terminated all FY '07 funding for the SEP, citing a DOE Inspector General Report that criticized the EERE regional offices for inadequate oversight, but found no fault with State Energy Offices. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development is expected to take up the DOE appropriations bill on June 20. Click here for more information.

FY ’07 Administration Budget Requests 39% Increase for SEP

If appropriated by Congress, the State Energy Program will receive a 39% Increase in FY ’07, thanks to a request by the Administration. Other energy programs did not fair as well. Read more.

Also see NASEO's testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees here.

Summer Fuels Conference Speakers Predict Higher Gasoline Prices

Experts at the NASEO Summer Fuels Outlook Conference, held in Washington, DC on April 11, predicted that rising crude oil prices, regulatory changes affecting refineries and pipelines, and consistently increasing consumer demand throughout the world will likely increase retail gasoline prices at least 25 cents above 2005 levels this summer. Presentations from conference speakers can be accessed here.

Energy Outlook Conference a Success

The 2006 NASEO Energy Outlook Conference, held in Washington, DC Feb. 6-8, brought over 100 state energy directors and energy office staff members together with congressional, DOE, EPA, USDA and other federal agency participants and speakers for three days of productive and informative sessions. Dozens of SEO office directors descended on Capitol Hill to visit with Senators and Representatives to push for increased SEP funding. A reception in the beautiful Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building attracted nearly 200 participants, including a Senator and two House members, along with many congressional staff members. Presentations of speakers are available here.

Software Will Help States With Distributed Generation Policy

The Regulatory Assistance Project has just released a new software tool, the DG Policy Scoring Tool, for state and territory energy offices to enable critical DG policies to be considered together, rather than in an isolated, or ad hoc fashion.

All state and territory energy offices have received a copy of the software on CD. In addition, the software can also be downloaded from the RAP website.

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