State and Local Project Assistance
NREL uses its technical expertise and capabilities to assist states and local communities in the United States with a variety of renewable energy and energy-saving projects.
Our involvement in U.S. state and local energy projects includes:
Assistance Programs
NREL provides technical assistance to states and individual communities through crosscutting initiatives and programs, including:
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Best Practices: State Clean Energy Policies Analysis
The Best Practices: State Clean Energy Policies Analysis (SCEPA) project is a collaborative effort to better understand the environmental, economic, and energy security impacts of state policies using a uniform methodology. The intent of the project, funded by the Department of Energy/Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE-EERE), is to assist state policy-makers and implementers in determining which policies will have the most beneficial impact on the priorities of the state. It is implemented by NREL and the Alliance to Save Energy, in partnership with DOE, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state stakeholders.
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Technical Assistance Project for State and Local Officials
The Technical Assistance Project (TAP) is designed to provide state and local officials with quick, short-term access to experts at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories for assistance with their renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and programs.
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State Energy Program
The State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices from technology programs in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
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Green Power
The Green Power Network provides information on what green power options are available in various states, as well as the policies behind them.
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Air Quality Analysis
NREL collaborates with the National Association of State Energy Officials to identify opportunities in the United States for using energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for mitigating nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. See our air quality analysis capabilities to learn more about NREL's contribution to this project. NREL and EERE also have published a series of fact sheets for the Clean Energy and Air Quality Integration Initiative. This fact sheet series outlines how renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies can and are being used to reduce air emissions and meet environmental goals, showcasing case studies and technology-specific topics.
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Renewable Energy Communities
NREL is assessing the feasibility of developing renewable energy communities to help Americans overcome our high level of fossil fuel use and ever-increasing dependence on foreign oil. This project focuses on changing the way we design new communities using a renewable energy systems approach—with sustainable planning, net zero-energy homes, advanced vehicles, and innovative utility interconnections. These efforts are highlighted in "A Renewable Energy Community: Key Elements" (PDF 640 KB). For more information about NREL's role, contact Chandra Shah
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
NREL provides technical support to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural development through implementation of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program. The program funds grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for assistance with purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements. For more information on NREL's role, contact Misty Conrad.
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Integrated Energy Strategy for Greensburg, Kansas
Following its 90% destruction by a tornado on May 4, 2007, the farming community of Greensburg, Kansas, made a commitment to rebuilding a sustainable community. NREL is helping to develop an integrated energy strategy, which includes 24 recommendations to Greensburg City leaders, covering all areas of energy efficiency, energy generation, transportation, and institutional and administrative actions. For more information about NREL's role, contact Lynn Billman.
Technology Deployment
NREL assists the U.S. Department of Energy with renewable energy technology deployment projects and initiatives in U.S. states and local communities, including:
Clean Cities
The Clean Cities Program strives to advance the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. Clean Cities has a network of approximately 90 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and advanced vehicles.
Solar America Initiative
The Solar America Initiative is a DOE effort to make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. The strategy pursues complementary activities in research and development (R&D) and in market transformation nationwide.
Wind Powering America
Wind Powering America is a commitment to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States. This initiative will establish new sources of income for American farmers, Native Americans, and other rural landowners, and meet the growing demand for clean sources of electricity.
Building Technologies Program
DOE's Building Technologies Program works in partnership with states, industry, and manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings.
Biofuels Applications
The Biomass Program primarily carries out state and regional partnerships through cooperation with the National Biomass State and Regional Partnerships group. Each regional organization provides leadership in its region with regard to policies and technical issues in order to advance the use of biomass.
See our capabilities for more information about our expertise in technology deployment.
Technical Resources
Working with Us
NREL works closely with states and local communities, facilitating collaborative efforts that are key to moving clean energy technologies into the marketplace and promoting their use.
If you're interested in learning more about NREL's expertise in these areas, access the Strategic Energy Analysis and Applications Center (SEAAC) Staff page for information on our individual capabilities, as well as SEAAC staff's experience with various projects and initiatives.
You can also find out more about funding mechanisms, developing technology partnerships, licensing our technologies, and using NREL's facilities at Working with Us.
More Information
For more information about U.S. state and local energy options and projects, see the following Web sites:
