Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. This is a high growth region where energy efficiency efforts have been lagging compared to some other regions, air pollution is a growing concern, and new power plants are planned including some new coal-fired power plants.

SWEEP focused initially on utility energy efficiency policy and programs along with the promotion of combined heat and power systems. Programs on buildings and transportation efficiency were subsequently added. In 2010, SWEEP initiated new programs to improve energy efficiency in the industrial sector, and provide technical assistance to states, counties and cities that received federal stimulus funding for energy efficiency projects. SWEEP collaborates with utilities, state agencies, local governments, environmental groups, universities, private businesses, and other energy specialists.

SWEEP was founded in 2001 by Howard Geller, who previously served as the Executive Director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy in Washington, DC. Major funding for SWEEP has been generously provided by the Energy Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Edwards Mother Earth Foundation, Colorado Governor's Energy Office, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Anonymous.