Goals and Metrics

The State Energy Program (SEP) is a cornerstone of a larger partnership between DOE and the states. SEP program goals therefore reflect the partnership's long-term strategic goals and each energy office's current year objectives.

• State Energy Program Goals
• State Energy Program Metrics
• SEP Metrics Calculator
• Non-Energy Benefits

DOE's State Energy Program saves $7.23 from reduced energy bills for every dollar of federal investment.

State Energy Program Goals

The mission of the State Energy Program is to provide leadership to maximize the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy through communications and outreach activities, technology deployment, and accessing new partnerships and resources. Working with DOE, state energy offices address long-term national goals to:

• Increase the energy efficiency of the U.S. economy.
• Reduce energy costs.
• Improve the reliability of electricity, fuel, and energy services delivery.
• Develop alternative and renewable energy resources.
• Promote economic growth with improved environmental quality.
• Reduce our reliance on imported oil.

The State Energy Program also helps states prepare for natural disasters and improve the security of the energy infrastructure. Specifically, SEP helps states meet federal requirements to:

• Prepare an energy emergency plan.
• Develop individual state energy plans. Each state shares its plan with DOE, sets short-term objectives, and outlines long-term goals.

The State Energy Program outlines this vision and mission in more detail in its "Strategic Plan for the 21st Century."

State Energy Program Metrics

Through the State Energy Program, DOE provides a wide variety of financial and technical assistance to the states. States routinely add their own funds and leverage investments from the private sector for energy projects. Some results of the State Energy Program are thus easily measured; for example, energy and cost savings can be quantified according to the types of projects state energy offices administer. Other benefits are less tangible; for example, developing a plan for energy emergencies.

DOE's State Energy Program leverages $3.58 in additional investment in energy projects from other federal programs, state and local governments, and private companies for every dollar of federal investment from SEP.

DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has led several studies to quantify savings that can be measured. ORNL's most recent report estimates significant cost savings through reduced energy consumption.

For details about the report, see:

• A feature article published by the State Energy Program in the May-June 2003 issue of Conservation Update written by ORNL's Martin Schweitzer and titled, "Measuring State Energy Accomplishments."
  
  
• The ORNL report titled Estimating Energy and Cost Savings and Emissions Reductions for the State Energy Program Based on Enumeration Indicators Data; ORNL/CON-487; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN; 74 pp.; January 2003 (PDF 313 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
  
  
• An Evaluation of State Energy Program Accomplishments Program Year 2002 (PDF 311 KB)
  

  The DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory published this report in June 2005; ORNL/CON 492; 92 pp.

SEP Metrics Calculator

The SEP Metrics Calculator estimates energy savings, cost savings, and carbon emission reductions resulting from individual State Energy Program (SEP) activities. These estimates can be used for SEP program status reporting and for reporting Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) activities.

The calculator is a spreadsheet tool that includes 80 individual activities and metrics. For each one, it calculates energy savings in units of million British Thermal Units (MBtu), Megawatt-hours (MWh), cubic feet of natural gas, or gallons of gasoline, whichever is appropriate. Totals for all measures are converted to their equivalents in MBtu. The conversion factors used in the calculations are included on worksheet two of the spreadsheet.

• SEP Metrics Calculator (Excel 96 KB)
• List of SEP Reporting Metrics (PDF 104 KB)
• Letter to the states introducing the calculator (PDF 70 KB)

Non-Energy Benefits of the State Energy Program

In addition to cost savings and development of new energy technologies, the State Energy Program provides non-energy benefits, which include voluntary energy programs such as ENERGY STAR®. State energy offices also:

• Help state legislatures and state executives formulate and carry out balanced energy policies and programs.
• Ensure our national energy security.
• Administer public benefits funds associated with the restructuring of the electricity and gas utilities toward competitive markets.
• Inform the public about the importance of energy to our economy and the environment.