Most energy efficiency advancements are created, mandated, implemented, or enforced through policy mechanisms at varying levels. As such, SEEA is committed to supporting the advancement of energy efficiency policy across the Southeast.
The goal of SEEA’s Energy Efficiency Policy Team is to provide Southeastern decisionmakers–including utilities, local governments, state agencies, and other organizations–with the resources and support they need to make educated and informed decisions on energy efficiency policies. SEEA provides relevant and timely information about energy efficiency developments in the region and nationally, convenes energy efficiency stakeholders around key issues, and acts as a technical advisor when questions arise. By collaborating and building partnerships with stakeholders from all segments of the energy efficiency community, SEEA facilitates the sharing of best practices and lessons learned to advance the region’s understanding of existing and emerging issues in energy efficiency.
State Policy
SEEA serves as a resource to state energy offices, public service commissions, environmental agencies, and other state-based stakeholders, providing technical expertise on priority issue areas within our states. SEEA also engages at the state level with specific project work.
Local Policy
In the Southeast, local jurisdictions are centers of innovation in the energy efficiency space. SEEA continues to assess opportunities to support further deployment of energy savings through local partnerships and collaboration with groups like the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN).
Utility Policy
Utilities often face challenges in developing successful programs and deploying energy efficiency as a system resource. SEEA actively engages with utilities across the Southeast to support and facilitate industry discussions on key issues of focus, including program design and regulatory tools to support energy efficiency within the utility business model.
SEEA also provides technical expertise and regional perspective through its participation in utility stakeholder forums in the region. These include the Southern Company Stakeholder Forum, TVA Energy Efficiency Information Exchange, Georgia Power Demand Side Management Working Group, Dominion Virginia Power Management Working Group and Integrated Resource Planning Stakeholder Discussions, Arkansas Parties Working Collaboratively, and the Duke Energy Carolinas Collaborative.
Energy Efficiency Policy Research and Reports
Introduction to Blockchain Technology in Energy
June 2019
Following the 2018 SEEA Conference, SEEA began researching blockchain in response to an increased interest in energy-related technologies from among our members, industry promotion, and general confusion about this complex, evolving technology. The goal of this paper is to offer an overview of this technology and its potential role in our energy future. This paper offers a simplified explanation of how blockchain works and highlights several potential applications for blockchain in the energy sector.
Energy Efficiency in Utility Planning Regulations and Implementation in the Southeast
November 2018
The purpose of the report is to better understand the extent to which energy efficiency is treated as a “least cost resource” in utility planning in the Southeast region.
Integrating Efficiency in Disaster Recovery
August 2018
This report examines how we can increase the realization of energy efficiency improvements to both residential and commercial buildings by intervening at key points in the rebuilding process following a natural disaster. We delve into how to work with utilities to target their energy efficiency programs to customers affected by natural disasters as well as how to integrate energy efficiency into the administration of disaster recovery funding.
Utility-Administered Low-Income Programs in the Southeast
July 2016
Historically marked by high poverty rates, the Southeast continues to advance in its pursuit of comprehensive, energy efficiency offerings to serve low-income ratepayers. SEEA produced this landscape assessment in July 2016 to provide a snapshot of the current state of low-income programs in SEEA’s region and to identify clear trends and opportunities as the region moves forward.
Energy Efficiency Goal Setting in the Southeast
May 2015
At the request of public utility commissions, their staff, utilities and other interested parties, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) created this document to provide examples and model policies implemented in other states to inform the creation of energy saving targets and goals. This document is intended to be broadly applicable to entities throughout the region that are exploring policy options for expanding the role of energy efficiency within their portfolio or jurisdiction.
Summary of Mississippi’s Quick Start Energy Efficiency Programs
January 2015
SEEA completed this document in May 2015 to serve as a quick reference guide of the rules, requirements and utility filings for the Mississippi’s Commission-approved, Quick Start energy efficiency programs.
Our Work
Energy Efficiency Policy
SEEA’s policy work focuses on state, local and utility policy for the purpose of advancing energy efficiency progress and opportunities across the region.
Built Environment
SEEA’s work with residential, commercial and industrial buildings addresses building energy codes and their impact on building resilience, health, comfort and affordability.
Energy Efficient Transportation
SEEA’s efforts to advance energy efficient transportation address policy, programs, outreach, charging infrastructure, and technical assistance.
Regional Investments
SEEA’s pool of legacy ARRA funds are currently invested in five community projects that were selected for their potential to deliver significant energy efficiency gains.