The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites informal public feedback on proposed revisions to Superior Energy Performance® (SEP®) program documents in preparation for the 2018 program update (SEP 2018). Comments will be accepted until September 15, 2017. DOE will also host a public session to discuss revisions based on stakeholder comments: DOE ISO 50001 Workshop on Friday, September 29, 2017 from 8:30AM to 12:00PM at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia on the margins of the World Energy Engineering Congress.

SEP 2018, anticipated for release in the fall of 2018, will build on the 2017 updates and broaden the applicability of SEP to facilities in the industrial, commercial, and public sectors. Program updates will also be aligned with the 2018 revisions to the ISO 50001 standard. Certification to ISO 50001 will remain the central element of SEP, and DOE will continue to recognize the third-party verification of the energy performance improvement—a market value added.

Proposed revisions to the following SEP program documents (SEP normative references) for SEP 2018 are available for an informal public review:

These three documents are normative references to the SEP standards, ANSI/MSE 50021 and ANSI/MSE 50028. Information on the revisions to the ANSI/MSE standards can be requested from Holly Lawe at Georgia Tech Energy and Sustainability Services (GTESS) at holly.lawe@innovate.gatech.edu.

To submit input on the proposed SEP 2018 updates:

  1. Download the comment form. Do not make any editing or format changes (e.g., spacing, font, etc.) to the comment forms except for entering your name and email address, date, and comments. 
  2. Return completed forms to the SEP Administrator at superiorenergyperformance@ee.doe.gov by September 15, 2017.
  3. Include “Comment Form SEP 2018” in the subject line.

DOE conducts and manages the revision process for the three SEP normative references. DOE uses this input process to ensure market relevance of the SEP Program. Stakeholder input also ensures that the SEP program adapts more readily to the needs of SEP’s diversifying stakeholder base and broadens participation in new sectors. Changes are incorporated into the SEP normative references at the discretion of DOE. DOE may reply to respondents to seek clarification on comments received.

Following the comment period, DOE will make outcomes available, for example, in the form of updated draft documents, a table that summarizes decisions on the inputs received, or other means. The DOE ISO 50001 Workshop at Georgia Tech on September 29, 2017 will address revisions to the SEP normative references resulting from the public review process. Conference call-in and webinar access will be provided as an alternative for remote participants. The room location and webinar access will be posted on the SEP website when meeting details are finalized.  

GTESS, the ANSI-accredited standards organization responsible for the SEP standards, is responsible for ANSI/MSE 50021 and ANSI/MSE 50028. GTESS works with DOE to maintain and update these standards under ANSI procedures for American National Standards.

To accompany the 2018 SEP revision, DOE is planning an expanded recognition program for all 2018 SEP certified facilities. The goal is to recognize the success of ISO 50001 and the results certified under SEP 2018. DOE will be working with stakeholders to define the recognition categories but expects to highlight exceptional improvements in energy performance or absolute energy savings, best practice adoption, and multi-facility (enterprise) deployment under the SEP 2018 program framework.  

DOE looks forward to any comments on the three SEP normative references. Stakeholder input drives SEP program improvements to ensure that participation remains practical and valuable to its users.