State Energy Offices and economic development organizations can both play a critical role in supporting energy-related economic development and are uniquely positioned to help their stakeholders enable businesses and industries to invest in innovative and cost-saving technologies. 

To support states in driving energy-related economic growth, NASEO and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) have launched a collaborative effort to cultivate strategic partnerships among State Energy Offices and state and regional economic development organizations through a monthly working group and one-on-one technical assistance.

NASEO and IEDC are facilitating a State Energy-Based Economic Development Working Group to support states in maximizing the potential of federal energy investments and advancing state economic goals. The working group brings together interested State Energy Offices and state and regional economic development organizations to strategize on common priorities, learn from experts, and share best practices to promote energy-related economic development.  

State Energy Office Participants
  • North Dakota Commerce - Division of Community Services
  • Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Office of Energy Programs 
  • Nevada Governor's Office of Energy
  • Hawai'i State Energy Office
  • Maine Governor's Energy Office
  • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Energy Programs Office
  • Mississippi Development Authority, Energy and Natural Resources Division
  • Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce, Energy Policy Program
  • Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
  • Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Energy
  • Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
  • Colorado Energy Office
  • Minnesota Department of Commerce, Energy Division
  • Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency 
Economic Development Organization Participants:
  • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Energy & Utility
  • New North, Inc. (Northeast Wisconsin)
  • Rhode Island Commerce 
  • Alaska Municipal League
  • Louisiana Economic Development
  • Greater Phoenix Economic Council
  • Arizona Commerce Authority
Topics of interest to the working group include:  
  • Leveraging Tax Incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act 
  • Supporting Clean Energy Workforce Development 
  • Siting and Permitting Clean Energy Projects 
  • Expanding Access to Clean Energy Benefits 
  • Understanding Power Generation for Business Needs 
  • Financing Energy Efficient Buildings and Construction  
  • Enabling Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises and Small Business Growth  
  • Electricity Regulation and Affordability 
  • Clean Energy Manufacturing 
  • Rural Energy and Economic Development 
  • State Energy Office and Economic Development Organization Collaboration and Strategic Planning 

The working group meets virtually on the last Monday of each month from 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ET. If you would like to join the working group or learn more about the initiative, please contact Sandy Fazeli (sfazeli@naseo.org) and Grace Lowe (glowe@naseo.org).

Joint NASEO-IEDC State Energy-Based Economic Development Working Group and NASEO Rural Energy Working Group Meeting: Rural Workforce Development, October 28, 2024
State Energy-Based Economic Development Working Group Meeting: Leveraging Clean Energy Tax Incentives, February 26, 2024