1. 2016

   NASEO: NASEO finalized the white paper deliverable, Technology Based Economic Development: Assessment of States’ Roles and Opportunities.NASEO launched a webpage dedicated to Energy Technology-based Economic Development and the Innovation Ecosystem: http://www.naseo.org/technology-transitions. Held NASEO-EPSA Joint Roundtable at Energy Policy Outlook Conference to discuss electricity policy. Launched Answers to State Questions (ASQ), an online forum for state officials to submit questions that arise as a result of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. 3N Meeting conducted to discuss barriers and options under the EPA’s Clean Power Plan Rule. NASEO EPIC staff briefed NASEO’s state energy planning lead on the outcomes of the EPIC roundtable, white paper, and continued engagement on the Quadrennial Energy Review. During this discussion, NASEO colleagues discussed potential updates to NASEO’s statewide energy planning database to reflect policy items raised over the course of the EPIC project.

   NGA: The NGA Center continued to conduct research and update its database on state actions (i.e., legislation, executive orders, and regulations). During this period, NGA Center staff continued to track actions across seven policy categories including energy efficiency, clean electricity and others. This included an update for 2015. NGA Center staff also developed ideas for expanding the categories included in the database. NGA Completed the policy database with state actions from 2008 - 2015. They continue to work on the state actions for 2016. NGA has submitted their top trends briefing to DOE. NGA hosted a webinar on State Energy Policy Trends and State Feedback.

   NARUC: 3N Clean Power Plan Meeting Held Conducted jurisdiction baseline meeting in Washington, DC. Webcasts and conference calls held with NASEO, NCSL, NACAA, AAPCA, ECOS, and NGA. Held a follow-up meeting in Washington, D.C. on the jurisdiction baseline. Finalized and performed multistate outreach memo document NARUC had developed with input from seven states.

2. 2017

   NASEO: Under task 3, NASEO hosted a webinar on Energy Workforce Development for NASEO members and key partners, including 18 State Energy Office registrants. Under task 3, NASEO provided written briefing to EPSA on importance of energy workforce development to advancing State Energy Office energy policy goals and priorities. They also developed expanded workforce-­focused workplan for EPSA consideration. Under task 4, NASEO organized a small group conference call with seven states to discuss data, metrics, and impact tracking associated with comprehensive state energy planning.

   NGA: NGA researched a wide array of sources and assessed the major policy and regulatory developments in all states in the target areas.

   NCSL: Under task 1.1, NCSL has drafted outlines of the two Energy Water Nexus papers, one on thermoelectric cooling and one on lifecycle water responsibility in oil and gas production. NCSL has participated on a number of phone calls and researched source materials for both papers. NCSL has been working directly with EPSA to revise the draft outline and participated on multiple calls with NASEO to discuss the best approach and share resources. Under task 1.6, NCSL rewrote a comprehensive report examining the current state of nuclear power in the U.S. and what the spate of recent nuclear plant closures means for the U.S. energy mix. The report highlights the role that state legislatures play and policy options for states that wish to retain their current nuclear fleet. This report was originally ready for publication in August 2016. At EPSA’s request, NCSL held the report until the release of the QER. Given the topic and developing actions related to nuclear power, NCSL rewrote the report with updated information and state examples. Under task 1.7, NCSL answered a number of information requests from state legislators and legislative staff related to nuclear power. In particular, NCSL answered 3 requests asking for a summary of state legislation that had been proposed or enacted by state legislatures that would support the operation of nuclear power plants. Another request asked for information on new nuclear power projects, along with state legislation that supported new nuclear power developments. In addition, several requests asked for detailed information regarding Illinois; S.B. 2814, the Future Energy Jobs Bill, which among other things, provides support to struggling nuclear power plants. Under task 1.1, NCSL has received comments on and revised outlines of the two Energy-Water Nexus papers: Thermoelectric Cooling Water in Oil and Gas Production. NCSL is in the process of researching and drafting the papers. NCSL worked directly with EPSA during outline revisions and participated on calls with NASEO to discuss the best approach and share resources. Under task 1.6, NCSL published the report State Options to Keep Nuclear in the Energy Mix. This report provides extensive background and discussion on issues that have led to the premature closure of existing nuclear power generation and provides information on state policies which support existing nuclear power. The report was published as a PDF online and 1,000 copies were printed as well. In addition, NCSL published a blog to promote the report. Under task 1.7, NCSL answered a number of information requests from state legislators and legislative staff related to nuclear power and testified on the topic. NCSL staff testified on nuclear retention issues and state policy actions before the newly created Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus. It is the first bipartisan, bicameral nuclear caucus in the country. Under task 1.8, NCSL continued to update the database on a biweekly basis and has entered and summarized all energy-water nexus related bills as well as nuclear generation bills in all 50 states, commonwealths and territories. They received nearly 650 web page visits per month on average.

   NARUC: NARUC hosted a meeting to discuss Emerging Electricity Technologies and a Smart Grid Federal-State Jurisdictional Boundaries and Opportunities for State Action. The meeting addressed two major questions:

   1. What are the “flash points” of federal-state jurisdiction on emerging electricity technologies?
   2. How should the National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) – representing the states – address these flash points? What can and should the NCEP do? NARUC staff initiated a research project under direction from the EPSA office regarding the aftermath of significant rate increases on state commissions. Starting from an assumption that commissioners who oversee large electric rate or bill increases may find themselves out of a job if a set of extenuating circumstances simultaneously occur, NARUC embarked on a series of interviews with current and former commissioners and a data gathering process to: (1) build more context around commissioner duration and turnover, (2) study the incidence of significant rate or bill increases, and (3) define extenuating circumstances such as media scrutiny, political gridlock, additional infrastructure issues, and other characteristics that may ameliorate or amplify the blowback of a rate or bill increase on commissioners.

3. 2018

   Complete initiated projects.

Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):

For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.

1. Energy Tax Act of 1978, Public Law 95-618.
2. Energy Security Act of 1980, Public Law 96-294.
3. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Public Law 110-140.
4. Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT), Public Law 102-486.
5. Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), Public Law 109-58.
6. Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91.