Technical Assistance to States

DOE State Technical Assistance to State Public Utility Commissions

The State Technical Assistance to Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) program is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Modernization Initiative funded by the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office as well as the Office of Electricity. The program is offered in conjunction with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The goal of the program is to provide high-impact, in-depth technical assistance to help state regulators address a wide variety of challenges facing the electricity industry.  Many of the challenges are associated with rapid technological advancements, the emerging roles of both customers and third-parties in the generation and management of electricity, the convergence of operations, markets, and planning across the bulk-power and distribution system domains, and considerations for addressing the climate crisis and enhancing the equity, affordability, security, and resilience of the electric grid.  For more information about the program and how to apply for technical assistance, go to the program’s dedicated webpage TAtoStatePUCs.lbl.gov.

DOE Office of Electricity (OE)

The Office of Electricity (OE) provides independent and unbiased technical support to states, regions, and Tribes on their electricity-related policies through its Electricity Policy Technical Assistance Program. Types of assistance offered and activities supported include: analysis assistance; stakeholder-convened discussions; education and training through workshops and webinars; consultations with technical experts. Technical assistance is provided through national laboratories, regional and national associations of state decision-makers, and federal government staff. OE provides technical assistance in response to requests from eligible entities.

Berkeley Lab, on behalf of OE, provides objective technical assistance, upon request, to state regulatory commissions, state energy offices, tribes and regional entities. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: transmission and electric system resource planning; reliability and resiliency; demand response and smart grid; regulated utility business models; integrating variable generation; rate-payer funded energy efficiency; electric sector interdependencies (e.g., gas-electric, water, transportation); environmental regulations; and resource diversity.

State regulatory commissions, state energy offices, tribes, and regional entities can contact the appropriate subject matter expert listed below to explore technical assistance options and then complete the OE Technical Assistance Request Form.

DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office

Berkeley Lab, along with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), are providing analytical support to state public utility commissions on issues related to solar energy and other distributed energy resources. This support is being provided as part of DOE's Grid Modernization Lab Consortium, with funding from the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).

Other DOE-Funded Technical Assistance

In addition to conducting technical assistance through OE as described above, Berkeley Lab also performs technical assistance on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind and Water Power Technologies Office, Solar Energy Technologies Office, Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office, Federal Energy Management Program, and other programs.

To explore possible technical assistance for topics not specified above, please contact the subject matter expert listed below: