NASEO News

$75 Million for State Energy Program in President’s FY ’10 Budget Request

President Obama’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 includes $75 million ($25 million more than FY ’09) for the State Energy Program.   $37.5 million of this budget request is for base appropriations while the other half ($37.5 million) would be for competitive funding.   Please click here for more information from US DOE on the President’s FY ‘10 budget.

Virginia's Division of Energy:  "Small Staff, Great Work"

Question: What do you get when you put together a former association executive who is a NASCAR fanatic, a master mechanic with an MBA, a "damn Yankee," an immigrant from Lebanon, a former university energy manager, a long-term solar booster, a former electric utility purchasing expert, a VISTA volunteer who later became a licensed high school track meet judge, and a veteran passenger on Air Force One?  Answer:  The "state energy office with a small staff doing great work -- Virginia."  The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy’s (DMME) Energy Division core staff impress not as much for their varied backgrounds and interests, but moreso because of their dedication to energy efficiency and the breadth of initiatives underway under their combined leadership.  Please click here for the full article on the Energy Division.

NASEO Climate and Energy Bill and Appropriations Update

Please click here for an update on the pending Climate and Energy Bill and Appropriations.  It appears a draft Climate and Energy bill may be released tomorrow with mark-up next week.  Please see the update for all the details, and contact Jeff Genzer at JCG@dwgp.com with any questions.

Federal Stimulus Spending on Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Alternative Transportation Programs About to Start Flowing, NASEO Reports

From NASEO Media Backgrounder 5/8/2009: “More than a billion dollars in federal stimulus funding for energy efficiency and other green projects and programs will begin to flow from the federal government to the states in a matter of weeks, reports the National Association of State Energy Officials.  This initial funding, part of the federal economic stimulus plan signed into law in February, is being rapidly processed by the U.S. Department of Energy.  Following this initial burst of funding, NASEO expects the pace of federal stimulus spending to accelerate in the next several months as detailed funding plans are reviewed and approved by the energy department.  The National Association of State Energy Officials, based in Alexandria, Va., represents State and Territory Energy Offices.  NASEO members, typically designated by governors, are leading state efforts to direct, invest and manage energy spending to maximize its benefit for the economy, including jobs, and the long-term energy future of America.” Please click here for the full document.

President Obama Issues Presidential Directive to USDA to Expand Access to Biofuels

From US Department of Agriculture Press Release 5/5/09: “President Obama issued a presidential directive today to Secretary Vilsack to aggressively accelerate the investment in and production of biofuels. On a conference call with Energy Secretary Stephen Chu and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, Vilsack also announced that he will help lead an unprecedented interagency effort to increase America's energy independence and spur rural economic development.  ‘President Obama's announcement today demonstrates his deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America,’ said Vilsack. ‘Expanding our biofuels infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to spur rural economic development while reducing our dependence on foreign oil - one of the great challenges of the 21st century.’”  Please click here for the full press release.

Spring 2009 “Energy Matters” from US DOE’s Industrial Technologies Program

The Spring 2009 issue of “Energy Matters” highlights DOE Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) free system assessment software tools, developed to help manufacturers identify energy and cost reduction opportunities in their facilities. Read this issue to learn about: ITP software tools that can help you identify immediate savings opportunities and contribute to a long-term energy management program ; ITP’s end-user and Qualified Specialist training to help you become an expert in using the tools; Twelve state-level projects that will receive funding from ITP to help local manufacturers meet energy reduction goals; Utility programs that provide incentives and resources to help industrial customers reduce their energy use while also meeting utility power demand.  Please click here to read this DOE publication.