Update on State Clean Energy Policies

States are continuing to make significant commitments to policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some states are identifying tools to achieve greater reductions through existing programs, some are targeting programs to tackle dual goals of addressing climate change and developing a clean energy economy in their state, and others are looking to ensure their states’ economies remain sustainable in the face of climate change. As a result of these state programs and market dynamics, renewable energy generation has doubled since 2008, with nearly 90 percent of the increase resulting from wind and solar generation. Though the federal government is looking to roll back federal programs, states have a long history of taking the lead to design policies that meet their citizens’ environmental, health, and economic objectives and often look to build upon other states’ successes.

 

This MJB&A Issue Brief highlights some of the recent actions taken by states to address climate change, from increasing existing renewable portfolio standards and broadening these standards' eligibility to implementing “clean peak standards” and exploring how best to design and implement market-based GHG reduction programs.

 

UPDATE (May 8, 2019): This MJB&A Issue Brief was updated to reflect Nevada Governor Sisolak's and Washington Governor Inslee's signing of legislation to amend the state's renewable portfolio standard, updates regarding Virginia's efforts to participate in RGGI, and recently passed legislation in Colorado.