State Energy Program


SEP provides funding and technical assistance to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and increase energy affordability. 




Why do we have The State Energy Program?

Back-to-back oil and energy crises in the 1970’s highlighted the United States’ reliance on foreign energy imports and the need to establish a level of American energy independence through a national strategy. On  August 4, 1977, President Carter signed the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, creating the United States Department of Energy (DOE). Among the programs under the purview of the newly formed DOE was the State Energy Conservation Program, now known simply as the State Energy Program (SEP).

The SEP is managed at a state level and tasks- states, territories, and the District of Columbia who receive funding and technical assistance to meet the following goals:


Increase the energy efficiency of the U.S. economy.

Implement energy security, resiliency, and emergency preparedness plans.

Reduce energy costs and energy waste.

Promote economic growth with improved environmental quality.

The state energy program complements Governor Cox's "any of the above" energy policy.


Ensuring Utah's energy independence through programs that will enable more domestic energy development and enhance global energy security.

Supporting rural communities through economic development and diversification efforts, infrastructure investment, and workforce training and development.

Developing and disseminating educational curriculum, scholarships, and internship opportunities to students in the state.

Supporting energy efficiency efforts and initiatives to reduce Utahns’ utility bills while maintaining some of the lowest utility rates in the country.

Emergency Management

Connecting stakeholders to state and federal opportunities.

Energy Pathways Scholarship

Together with Chevron, we’re helping advance Utah’s future energy workforce with scholarships for students pursuing STEM courses at Utah universities, colleges and trade schools.

Apply Here

Energy Pathways Internship

Interns help advance energy initiatives throughout the state of Utah via education, collaboration, research, and outreach. Learn more about opportunities to intern with our office. 

Apply here

Energy Educator Award & Professional Development Events for STEM Teachers

K-12 Curriculum Meeting State SEEd Standards

Developed in collaboration with the Utah Science Teachers Association, the curriculum meets the state SEED  Standards and will help students better understand the critical role of energy and minerals in their lives. 


Lesson plans

Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center

The Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center (IIAC), hosted by the University of Utah, provides no-cost energy assessments to manufacturers in the Intermountain Region

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Building Talks

The Utah Energy Code’s Building Talks program offers opportunities to builders, developers, building officials, architects, engineers, HVAC professionals, and all subcontractors working in Utah’s building industry to learn about new construction projects.

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