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NASEO COVID-19 Resource Hub

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The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are widespread, and reinvigorating the U.S. economy will require a multi-sector response. NASEO is compiling resources – categorized by topic area below - that may be of assistance to State Energy Offices as they address the short-, medium-, and long-term implications and opportunities of the crisis. In addition to bookmarking this page, we encourage NASEO members to tune into COVID-19 updates over email and webinar, share your experiences and feedback, and contact NASEO with questions.

Click on the any of the following toggles to view Issue Contact information and links to resources on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Image source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

American Rescue Plan Act

In March 2021, the U.S. Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), a $1.9 trillion package design to combat the economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including for impacted industries and workers. Energy-specific provisions of ARPA include utility bill payment assistance for lower-income households, low-income weatherization, and environmental justice support for disadvantaged communities.

To learn more about ARPA and its relevance to the work of the State and Territory Energy Offices, read NASEO's "American Rescue Plan Act: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for State and Territory Energy Offices."

Many State Energy Offices, working in partnership with other state agencies, state legislatures, local governments and school districts, employers, and community-based organizations, found creative uses of ARPA funds to support economic recovery and growth in tandem with efforts to achieve clean energy, climate, and adjacent community development goals. While the list below is not comprehensive, it demonstrates the broad array of ways State Energy Offices and their partners have put ARPA funds to use. For State Energy Offices interested in sharing additional examples, please contact Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org).

State:	Use of ARPA Funds:	Where to Learn More:
Colorado	$200 million in ARPA funds for investments in reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling workers, including through clean energy organizations and employers	Summary of HB21-1264 List of Funded Organizations
Hawaii	$62 million in ARPA funds for HI-CAP, jointly managed by the Hawaii Technology Development and the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (the state green bank) to expand access to capital for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs	May 2022 HTDC News Release HI-CAP Program Website
Minnesota	$7.9 million for state Weatherization Assistance Program with the goal of weatherizing 550 additional homes; $15 million for water bill assistance	Scaling Weatherization in Minnesota Report September 2021 Minnesota Commerce Department News Release
North Carolina	$32.6 million for the North Carolina Cooling Program	LIHEAP FY2022 Detailed Model Plan
Vermont	$15 million for the K-12 School Indoor Air Quality Program through Efficiency Vermont; $10 million for the Affordable Community Clean Energy Program via the State Energy Office’s Clean Energy Development Fund	Efficiency Vermont’s School Indoor Air Quality Grant Program Clean Energy Development Fund RFI for the Affordable Community-Scale Renewable Energy Program
Virginia	$250 million in ARPA funds (to be matched by $250 million in local funds) to improve ventilation and air quality in public schools	Governor Northam July 2021 Press Release

Buildings
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Contacts: Rodney Sobin (rsobin@naseo.org) , Ed Carley (ecarley@naseo.org), Maddie Koewler (mkoewler@naseo.org)
Electricity
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Contact: Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org)

Resources:
Energy Security
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Contact: Campbell Delahoyde (cdelahoyde@naseo.org)

Resources:
Equity
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Contact: Maddie Koewler (mkoewler@naseo.org)

Resources:
Federal Policy
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Contacts: Jeff Genzer, (JCG@dwgp.com) David Terry (dterry@naseo.org)
- Multi-Organization Energy Efficiency Stimulus Support Letter (April 2020)
- NASEO members are encouraged to tune into the monthly Government Affairs calls for up-to-date information on federal and congressional actions on coronavirus recovery and stimulus.
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for State and Territory Energy Offices
Fuels
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Contact: Campbell Delahoyde (cdelahoyde@naseo.org)
- Oil & Natural Gas COVID-19 Responsible Recovery Compendium
- U.S. Energy Information Administration Short-Term Energy Outlook
Solar
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Contacts: Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org), Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org)

Resources:
Workforce
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Contact: Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org)

Resources:
- BW Research Partnership Resources on Energy Sector Jobs Impacts

NASEO COVID-19 Resource Hub

American Rescue Plan Act

Buildings

Electricity

Energy Security

Equity

Federal Policy

Fuels

Solar

Workforce