The State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Policy guides the development and implementation of coordinated, comprehensive strategies to assist states, territories, local authorities, and tribes in analyzing, assessing, and implementing energy policies, programs, and related activities. 

It also helps ensure that national energy policies, programs, and related activities are informed by the policies, programs, regulations, and practices of state, local, and tribal governments.

Focus areas include:

• Communities LEAP – The DOE Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program) Pilot seeks to help communities access the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy and clean energy manufacturing. Under this pilot initiative, DOE will provide supportive services valued at up to a total of $16 million to support 24-36 communities to develop their own community-driven clean energy transition approach. This opportunity is specifically open to low-income, energy-burdened communities that are experiencing either direct environmental justice impacts, or direct economic impacts from a shift away from historical reliance on fossil fuels.  
• Place-based Strategy – Place-based approaches aim to strengthen communities (usually defined at a scale where measurable economic outcomes can be achieved—from a neighborhood up through a multi-county region), rather than provide direct assistance to individuals, companies, or technologies. DOE is focusing on place-based approaches through a variety of cross-agency initiatives, such as Justice40. DOE’s strategy includes programs and initiatives designed to serve disadvantaged communities, rural and remote communities, energy communities, and Tribal Nations. DOE’s strategy includes programs and initiatives designed to serve disadvantaged communities, rural and remote communities, energy communities, and Tribal Nations. DOE’s place-based approaches target specific energy- or technology-related challenges and opportunities of each community, with the goal of supporting each region’s transition to a more prosperous, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. For example, DOE released an interactive map that shows in localized detail private sector announcements since President Biden took office in U.S.-based manufacturing facilities across the clean energy supply chain. This includes manufacturing in the solar, offshore wind, battery, electric vehicle and component parts, and EV chargers sectors. View the interactive map here.  Additionally, DOE also creates state fact sheets that spotlight examples of how the Investing in America Agenda is strengthening each state’s energy economy. From information on the number of energy jobs and various types of clean energy adoption in a state, to details on DOE funding programs for home energy efficiency, the fact sheets provide a valuable snapshot into how federal energy programs and investments are supporting states and their communities.
• Cross-DOE Collaboration – The Office of Policy coordinates with DOE programs and staff offices to lead strategic thinking, working to achieve U.S. energy goals. The Office of Policy also provides policy analysis support to DOE program and staff offices for Departmental mission objectives.