SEP Operations Manual
This manual is a reference tool for the SEP network and DOE program officials and contains information needed to administer SEP. Download the SEP Operations Manual.
The State Energy Program (SEP) regularly releases documents to help state energy offices report and manage SEP program funding. This webpage provides a list of current and previous SEP guidance documents.
For more than 40 years, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) State Energy Program has provided funding and technical assistance to states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. State energy offices use SEP funds to develop state plans that advance energy solutions through regional networks, strategic energy planning, executive orders, legislation and local ordinances, management of local retrofits, and land-use plans.
SEP released the following guidance documents, listed chronologically below, that explain how states must report and manage SEP program funding.
2024 Program Guidance
- SEP Program Notice 24-01: Program Year 2024 State Energy Program Formula Grant Application Instructions – Effective February 15, 2024.
- SEP Program Notice 24-02 – This Program Notices provides final Grantee allocations for the preparation and submission of applications for funding of State Energy Program (SEP) formula grants for program year (PY) 2024 — Effective April 22, 2024.
- SEP 2024 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) – Issued February 15, 2024, this ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for Program Year (PY) 2024.
- PY 2024 SEP State Formula Allocations - Issued February 15, 2024.
2023 Program Guidance
- SEP Program Notice 23-01: Program Year 2023 State Energy Program Formula Grant Application Instructions–Effective February 21, 2023.
- SEP 2023 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)–Issued February 21, 2023, this ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for Program Year (PY) 2023.
- Final PY23 Formula Allocation Distribution–The final PY 2023 allocations reflect the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 that allocated $60 million for formula grants.
- SEP Annual Formula Grant Summary Template.
- SEP Formula Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) Template.
SEP National Training Forum
In 2022, over 130 attendees shared their expertise and insight with peers on topics related to management and implementation of SEP funding. Download the presentations.
Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program
- SEP Program Notice 22-05: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program Formula Grant Application Instructions—Effective November 15, 2022.
- State Energy Program Notice 23-03—Effective October 2, 2023. Revised state funding allocations in accordance with Section 40502 of the IIJA, which requires DOE to redistribute funds any state(s) have opted not to claim.
- State Energy Program Notice 23-02—Effective March 21, 2023. This program notice incorporates the extension of the deadline for submitting IIJA applications for the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program (EE RLF) to May 26, 2023, into a Program Notice.
- EE RLF Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued November 15, 2022, this ALRD is to solicit the formula grant applications for Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- EE RLF IIJA Formula Allocations.
- EE RLF IIJA Formula Award Application Checklist.
- RLF Supplemental Report (v1.0)
- EE RLF IIJA Template for Declining Funds.
- Download the RLF Program Implementation Frequently Asked Questions (last updated March 6, 2024)
The Program Implementation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is updated regularly to address questions about federal requirements (e.g., BABA, DBA, NEPA), RLF program-specific requirements (e.g., 180-day requirement, audits), braiding, award management and reporting, and other questions
2022 SEP Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Guidance
- SEP Program Notice 22-03: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 State Energy Program Formula Grant Application Instructions—Effective Aug. 26, 2022.
- SEP Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued Aug. 26, 2022, this ALRD is to solicit the formula grant applications under SEP for funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- SEP IIJA Formula Grant Allocations
- SEP BIL Supplemental Annual Data Report (v1.0)
- SEP Transformation Collaborative Opt-In Template.
- SEP Transmission and Distribution Plan Optional Template
- SEP Program Notice 22-04—Effective November 2, 2022. This program notice provides updated instructions regarding the preparation of applications for State Energy Program funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
2022 State Energy Security Plan Guidance
For more information and resources on State Energy Security Plans, visit the State Energy Security Plans webpage.
SEP State Energy Security Plan Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued March 28, 2022.
The purpose of this ALRD is to:
- Solicit applications for a portion of funding appropriated by Congress for State Energy Program formula awards in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 to support completion of State Energy Security Plans.
- Alert states that all future distributions of financial assistance through the State Energy Program will require the submission to DOE of a State Energy Security Plan that meets the requirements set out by the IIJA.
2022 Program Guidance
- SEP Program Notice 22-01: Program Year 2022 State Energy Program Formula Grant Application Instructions—Effective March 1, 2022.
- SEP 2022 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued March 3, 2022, this ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for Program Year (PY) 2022.
- SEP Annual Formula Grant Summary Template.
- SEP Formula Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) Template.
- SEP Program Notice 22-02—Effective April 6, 2022. The program notice amends the grant application instructions regarding the preparation of PY 2022 SEP funding applications. Updated instructions are necessary in light of two developments:
- Elimination of the cost match requirement in the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act of 2021.
- Exemption of FY 2022 SEP appropriations from the State Energy Security Plan requirement in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022.
- Final PY22 Formula Allocations—The final PY 2022 allocations reflect the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 that allocated $56.5 million for formula grants instead of $56 million.
2021 Program Guidance
- SEP Program Notice 21-01: Program Year 2021 State Energy Program Formula Grant Application Instructions—Effective Jan. 19, 2021.
- SEP 2021 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued Jan. 19, 2021, this ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for PY 2021.
- SEP Formula FY 2021 Allocations.
- SEP Annual Formula Grant Summary Template—Updated December 2020.
- Information about the Technology Action Group (TAG) Model and How to Participate.
- Technology Action Group (TAG) Commitment Letter Template.
2009-2020 Program Guidance
- SEP Program Notice 10-008F: Guidance for State Energy Program Grantees on Financing Programs—This guidance supersedes SEP Program Notice 10-008E, which was issued May 20, 2016, and supplements SEP Program Notice 12-002, which was issued June 4, 2012.
- SEP 2020 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued Feb. 3, 2020—This ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under State Energy Program for PY 2020.
- PY 2020 State Energy Program Formula Grant Application Instructions—Effective Feb. 3, 2020.
- Annual Summary Template PY 2020.
- PY 2020 State Formula Allocations.
- SEP Program Notice 10-006E: DOE Reporting Requirements for the State Energy Program—Effective March 31, 2019.
- 2019 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—Issued March 1, 2019, this ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under State Energy Program for PY 2019.
- PY 2019 State Energy Program Formula Grant Guidance 19-01—Effective March 1, 2019.
- Annual Summary Template PY 2019.
- Letter to Grantees Regarding Maintenance of Records to Document Work Performed to Support SEP Grant Activities—Issued Jan. 22, 2019, this letter reminds grantees of the requirement to maintain records that accurately reflect the work performed by grantees to support SEP grant activities.
- PY 2019 State Formula Allocations.
- SEP 2018 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) (Modification 0001)—Modified June 26, 2018, this ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for PY 2018.
- SEP 2018 ALRD Issued Feb. 7, 2018 —This ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for PY 2018.
- PY 2018 SEP Formula Grant Guidance 18-02—Effective June 26, 2018.
- PY 2018 SEP Formula Grant Guidance 18-01—Effective Feb. 7, 2018.
- Annual Summary Template FY 2018.
- PY 2018 State Formula Allocations.
- SEP 2017 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—This ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for PY 2017.
- PY 2017 SEP Formula Grant Guidance—Effective Jan. 19, 2017.
- Annual Summary Template FY 2017.
- PY 2017 State Formula Allocations.
- SEP 2016 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—This ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for PY 2016.
- PY 2016 SEP Formula Grant Guidance—Effective Feb. 26, 2016.
- SEP Program Notice 10-008E, Guidance for State Energy Program Grantees on Financing—Effective May 20, 2016.
- NEPA Determination FY 2016.
- SEP 2015 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—This ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under SEP for PY 2015.
- PY 2015 SEP Formula Grant Guidance—Effective Feb. 27, 2015.
- NEPA Determination FY 2015.
- SEP Program Notice 10-006D, Reporting Requirements—Effective Sept. 19, 2014.
- SEP Program Notice 14-2, Implementation Model Guidance—Effective July 1, 2014.
- SEP 2014 Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD)—This ALRD is to solicit the annual grant applications under the SEP for PY 2014.
- PY 2014 SEP Formula Grant Guidance—Effective March 19, 2014.
- NEPA Determination FY 2014.
- SEP 10-008D Guidance for State Energy Program Grantees on Financing Programs—Effective Oct. 26, 2012.
- SEP 12-002 Guidance for State Energy Program Grantees on Interest Rate Buy-Down Programs—Effective June 4, 2012.
- Oct. 16, 2012, Property Clarification Letter.
- SEP 12-001 Guidance for State Energy Program Recipients on Policy and Procedures Pursuant to the Closeout of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grants—Effective Nov. 9, 2011.
- SEP Reporting Guidance: Program Notice 10-006B—Effective June 23, 2011.
In some cases, DOE combined guidance documents for SEP and EECBG Program:
- SEP 10-001 National Environmental Policy Act Guide for SEP and EECBG Projects
- SEP 10-002 Retooling and Manufacturing Program Guidance Using SEP Funds
- SEP 10-003A Guidance on Implementation of the Davis-Bacon Act Prevailing Wage Requirements for SEP Grant Recipients under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- SEP 10-004A Guidance on Davis-Bacon Act Requirements for Recovery Act-Funded Rebate, Grant and Financing Programs for Individual Homeowners Conducted Under SEP, EECBG Program and Appliance Rebate Program
- SEP 10-005 Historic Preservation DOE Program Guidance
- SEP 10-006A DOE Recovery Act Reporting Requirements
- SEP 10-006A Reporting Guidance Process Metric List
- SEP 10-007A DOE Recovery Act Jobs Creation Reporting Requirements
- SEP 10-008B Guidance on Financing Program
- SEP 10-010 Guidance on Davis-Bacon Act Wage Rates for ARRA-Funded State Energy Program Projects Including Residential Weatherization Work
- SEP 10-011 Guidance for SEP Recipients on Payment Procedures
- SEP 10-012 SEP Guidance Regarding Appliance Rebate Programs
- SEP 10-013 Guidance for State Energy Program Grantees on Qualified on Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds and New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
- SEP 10-014 Guidance on Non-appliance Rebates
- SEP 10-015 Guidance for Grantees on Sub-recipient Monitoring
- Projects Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and Administered by EERE Notice
- Guidelines for States Conducting or Contracting Evaluations of ARRA Funded SEP Activities.