State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency Programs

Overview The State Energy Program’s (SEP) purpose is to provide funding and technical assistance to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste, and increase energy affordability. It also helps prepare for natural disasters and improve the security of the State’s energy infrastructure. Specifically, it assists states in meeting federal requirements to prepare for an energy emergency and develop an individual state energy security plan. SEP is federally funded by the Department of Energy. Congress appropriates funds annually to support program activities, which includes funding for formula grants, competitive awards, and technical assistance. Additional funds can be appropriated for related energy efficiency programs managed by the Energy Efficiency Unit in ADECA’s Energy Division. The funding is utilized to plan and implement energy programs in Alabama that are designed to achieve national energy goals such as lowering energy costs and consumption, decreasing reliance on imported energy, reducing impacts of energy production and use on the environment, and to increase energy security and reliability. If you would like to be placed on the Energy Programs Mailing List, please email your contact information (Organization Name/Name/address/email/phone number) to [email protected]  and request to be added to our Mailing List. FY 2026 Grant Application Information SEP FY26 Application Workshop Slides SEP FY26 Application Workshop Q&A SEP FY26 Energy-Efficient Retrofits – deadline : 11:59 CST on Jan. 30, 2026 Eligible Applicants (in Alabama only): Local Government Public K-12 Public School systems, Non-profit organizations Total Available: At least $50,000 per subrecipient (Anticipated to award 8 grants) Rating Criteria SEP FY26 Energy-Efficient Retrofits of Wastewater Treatment Facilities – deadline : 11:59 CST on Jan. 30, 2026 Eligible Applicants: Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Alabama Total Available: At least $35,000 per subrecipient (Anticipated to award 3 grants) Rating Criteria Documents Required Along with Application/Actions to Take Before Application Submitted: State of Alabama Disclosure Statement – Alabama Act 2001-955 requires the Vendor Disclosure Statement be completed and filed with all grant proposals to the State of Alabama in excess of $25,000. Certificate of Compliance with the Beason-Hammon Act – The Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act; Code of Alabama, Section 31-13, imposes conditions that apply to incentives by the state, any political subdivision of the state or any state-funded entity where the co-party is a “business entity or employer.” This act will require selected applicants to submit a completed copy of the E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is generated when the business entity or employer enrolls in that program bearing the number assigned to that MOU by Homeland Security at https://verify.alabama.gov . Signatory Authority Form – This form lists the individuals who have the authority to sign and submit invoices and other documents to the ADECA Energy Division on behalf of the subrecipient. Most recent audit Procurement policy Obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI) Number (formerly DUNS) from SAM.gov E-Verify Memorandum (full packet signed by applicant organization and Homeland Security) Obtain an Employer of Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS Maintain an active registration in System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov Register with the State of Alabama Accounting and Resource System (STAARS) Vendor Self Service (VSS) portal at https://vendors.alabama.gov Grant Administration SEP Invoice Form – State Energy Program recipients must use this form and submit electronically to request reimbursements.