NASEO and E4TheFuture Join Forces to Deliver Advanced Benefit-Cost Analysis Tools for Valuing Energy Resource Investments

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kirsten Verclas, NASEO, [email protected] and Julie Michals, E4TheFuture, [email protected]

WASHINGTON (December 3, 2025) - The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and E4TheFuture (E4) are pleased to announce the transition of E4's National Energy Screening Project (NESPTM) to NASEO, starting in 2026. This strategic move strengthens coordination between NESP's nationally recognized benefit-cost analysis (BCA) framework for valuing distributed energy resource (DER) investments (via the National Standard Practice Manual) and the nation's State and Territory Energy Offices. By bringing NESP under the NASEO umbrella, states will have expanded access to a range of resources and tools to support rigorous, transparent, and comprehensive BCAs.

"As states work to address affordability challenges and enable more grid resources to deliver reliable power, the NESP tools will be invaluable," said David Terry, NASEO President. "NASEO is excited to bring NESP in-house to increase value for State Energy Offices and their partners and strengthen our collective commitment to rigorous, evidence-based energy program and policy development."

"We are delighted to have the NESP adopted by NASEO," said Pat Stanton, Executive Director for E4TheFuture. "By aligning NESP's analytic frameworks with the insights and reach of State Energy Offices, states will be better positioned to assess DER cost-effectiveness and deploy resources that deliver broad value for customers and communities."

Julie Michals, Director of Valuation for E4 said: "This new partnership will enhance states' ability to evaluate investments in single and multi-DERs, such as solar, energy storage, energy efficiency, and demand response, as well as analyze non-wire solutions, microgrids, and virtual power plants."

The NESP works to ensure consistent valuation of DERs across the energy planning paradigm from program design and resource procurement to distribution system planning. As states work to meet growing energy demand while maintaining affordability, reliability, and sustainability, NESP's tools will play a vital role in shaping sound investment and policy decisions.

Key Benefits for States

Through this collaboration, State Energy Offices and other state agencies will gain:

• Direct access to NESP's full suite of tools, including the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM), the Methods, Tools & Resources Handbook for Quantifying DER Impacts (MTR Handbook), state-specific NSPM case studies, and a forthcoming, publicly available open-source BCA model (OpenBCA Tool)
• Stronger analytical support for evaluating DER programs through direct technical assistance, training, and application support of NESP resources, reducing fragmentation and enabling more efficient deployment of DERs and grid-supporting solutions.
• Opportunities to help shape best practices for DER valuation and cost-effectiveness testing, including standardized frameworks and cross-state learning that informs regulatory and policy decisions.

Meeting the Moment: Consistent, Transparent Evaluation of DERs

As states integrate increasing amounts of grid-flexible and customer-sited resources to meet demand growth and enhance resilience, the need for consistent and comprehensive BCA frameworks has never been more pressing. The NESP's tools and methodologies will help ensure that DERs are evaluated in a technology-neutral, holistic manner, accounting for the full range of utility system impacts, and non-utility impacts that align with a state's specific energy policy goals. Further, the NSPM can guide states on how to conduct supporting analyses to BCAs that address affordability, economic development, and equity impacts of DER investments. NASEO will incorporate key NESP tools and expertise in its programs and services for use by State Energy Offices in planning and supporting evidence-based decisions that benefit all consumers in their states.

About the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)

NASEO is the only national non-profit association representing the governor-designated State and Territory Energy Offices from all 56 U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Formed by the states in 1986, NASEO facilitates peer learning, provides technical resources, and advocates for State Energy Office interests before Congress and federal agencies.

About E4TheFuture

Since 2015 E4TheFuture has promoted residential energy efficiency and other resource solutions to advance an energy system that ensures economic, environmental, and equitable benefits for all people. The organization has influenced federal, state, and local policies while developing innovative energy strategies.