The U.S. State Energy Program (SEP), established by Congress 30 years ago, is the only cost-shared program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that provides resources directly to the states. A bipartisan-supported program, SEP provides complete discretion and deference to the nation's governors in the use of SEP funds within a broad statutory framework set forth by Congress. States set their priorities for use of SEP funds on activities such as planning for and responding to energy emergencies resulting from natural and man-made disasters; assisting small businesses and manufacturers in reducing energy costs to improve competitiveness and create jobs; aiding farms and rural homeowners in developing homegrown energy solutions to lower energy costs; and supporting local governments in retrofitting schools, police stations, and other public facilities to reduce utility bills paid by taxpayers.
Each $1 of SEP federal funds is associated with annual savings of 1.03 million source BTUs and energy cost savings of $7.22
Each $1 of SEP federal funds is typically leveraged by $10.71 of state and private (non-federal) funds