States and State Governments
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New York Property Tax Exemption for Farm Waste
New York exempts property containing a solar, wind, or farm waste energy system approved by NYSERDA from taxation for 15 years. Jurisdictions have the power to opt out or back into this exemption.
Washington State’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Washington House Bill 1091 (HB 1091) calls for a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuels by 2028 and a 20% CI reduction by 2035, targeting producers and importers of transpo...
RMI report, State Energy Policy in a Land of New Federal Opportunity
The Rocky Mountain Institute offers this 2024 guide to new and expanded federal funding programs, and highlights opportunities for states to pass and pay for clean energy policies. The report highligh...
Mississippi Rules Regarding Pore Space
In 2011, SB 2723 authorized the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board to approve the use of reservoirs for injection and storage of CO2 provided that a majority interest in the reservoir has provided its writ...
Massachusetts microgrid feasibility studies
In 2018, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center provided $75,000 for feasibility studies to fourteen projects and communities across the state. This commitment followed up on previous studies into barr...
Colorado Legislation for E-Bike, Diesel Truck Replacement, Electric School Buses, and Clean Air Grants
In June 2022, the Colorado legislature passed SB193, establishing grant programs for replacing diesel trucks ($15M), purchasing electric school buses ($65M), the purchase of E-Bikes ($12M), and a gene...
North Carolina RPS
North Carolina’s RPS defines a REC as equivalent to 1 MWh of electricity derived from a renewable energy source, or an equivalent amount of thermal energy in the case of CHP and solar water heating, o...
Maine Nutrient Management Act
Maine’s Nutrient Management Act bans winter manure spreading from December 1st through March 15th, which reduces aeration of nitrous oxide.
North Dakota liability release regulation
North Dakota has established a trust fund, funded by a fee on each ton of sequestered carbon dioxide, that pays for long-term monitoring and maintenance of transferred carbon dioxide. Ten years after ...
New Mexico Interconnection Rules Order
In November, 2022, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission issued a ruling on interconnection rules, which govern how clean energy resources can connect to the grid. The rules reflect national bes...
Kansas Rules on Carbon Injections
In 2007, HB 2419 defined a “carbon dioxide injection well,” as a well where carbon dioxide is injected for either enhanced hydrocarbon recovery or geologic storage. The bill directed the Kansas Corpor...
Oregon’s SB 1044
Oregon’s SB 1044 requires the Oregon Department of Energy to develop recommend strategies to the legislature to spur EV adoption, if it determines the state is not on track to meet its goals. It would...
Oregon’s Offshore Oil Drilling Ban
Oregon’s SB 256 (2019) repealed the sunset provision on the state’s offshore oil moratorium, effectively banning the practice permanently.
California AB 1637
AB 1637 authorized the Public Utility Commission to double the budget for the Self-Generation Incentive Program for the next three years, an additional $249 million for small-scale distributed energy ...
Kansas Tax Incentives for CCS
Kansas Stat. Ann. 79-32,256 entitles a taxpayer to a deduction from Kansas adjusted gross income with respect to the amortization of the amortizable costs of carbon dioxide capture, sequestration or u...
Michigan Legislation Consolidating Permitting Authority
Michigan’s HB 5120 would shift some power over clean-energy project siting and permitting from local government entities to the Michigan Public Service Commission. The bill would give the commission p...
Rhode Island’s IECC 2024 Adoption
In August 2023, Rhode Island enacted legislation requiring the adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for new residential and commercial buildings once the codes are finali...
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans
Six Chesapeake Bay Watershed jurisdictions – Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and the District of Columbia – are part of a federal-state initiative to develop and i...
A Comprehensive Review of Solar Access Law in the United States
The Solar America Board for Codes and Standards is a collaborative effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that dedicates experts to transforming solar markets by improving building codes, util...
Massachusetts Permitting Revisions Focus on EJ Communities
In March 2023, Massachusetts amended its state air pollution regulations to require certain facilities seeking air emissions permits in or near communities with Environmental Justice (EJ) populations ...
Pennsylvania’s Permit Fast Track Executive Order
Pennsylvania’s Executive Order 2024-04 launched the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program, which aims to offer a more unified permitting process across state agencies for complex energy, infrastructu...
New Jersey’s AB 3723 and Executive Order 28
New Jersey’s AB 3723 requires 50% of energy sold in the state come from Class I renewable resources by 2030, of which 3,500 MW should come from offshore wind. Governor Murphy also signed Executive Ord...
Washington Fracking Ban
Washington became the fourth state to ban fracking with the passage of SB 5145 (2019).
New York CO2 Limits on Power Plants
In May 2019 the Department of Environmental Conservation adopted new CO2 limits that will effectively ban coal plants in 2020.
Minnesota Sustainable Buildings 2030 Training Programs
As part of Minnesota’s Sustainable Buildings 2030 standards, the legislature authorized $500,000 annually to the Center for Sustainable Building Research for, among other tasks, the “development and d...
Pennsylvania’s EJ Mapping Tool
In September 2023, Pennsylvania unveiled a new environmental justice mapping tool. PennEnviroScreen provides an annually updated snapshot of undue environmental burden on vulnerable communities. This ...
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act and AB 341
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (2006) prompted a scoping plan from the California Air Resources Board that included mandatory commercial recycling in order to achieve a reduction of five mi...
K&L Gates report, Offshore Wind Handbook
K&L Gates 2018 publication, Offshore Wind Handbook, includes brief summaries of recent offshore efforts in ten states, analysis of the legal framework under state authority and the Jones Act, and the ...
New Jersey’s Model Statewide Municipal EV Ordinance
In September 2021, New Jersey promulgated a statewide municipal ordinance streamlining the local approval process for installing charging infrastructure. The model ordinance, which provides minimum re...
Maine HP 65
Maine this week became the first state in the nation to pass a law requiring divestment of public funds from oil, gas, and coal companies. The legislation directs that “The Treasurer of State and the ...
Washington State’s Cap-and-Trade Legislation
In April 2021 legislation from Washington State establishes a cap-and-trade system that puts a price on carbon emissions. The bill creates a “cap-and-invest” program to gradually set tighter limits on...
Colorado 2022 Microgrid Legislation
In June 2022, Colorado enacted two microgrid-focused laws, HB1013 and HB1249. HB 1013 appropriates $3.5 million to create a Microgrids for Community Resilience Grant Program. A cooperative electric as...
Michigan’s Worker Economic Transition Office Legislation
Michigan’s SB 519 (2023) creates a state community and worker economic transition office to aid workers and communities whose jobs are impacted in the transition from fossil fuel energy to renewable s...
Maryland Nutrient Management Law
Maryland’s Nutrient Management Law requires all farmers using chemical fertilizer or manure to have a nutrient management plan for nitrogen. Fertilizer may not be applied to frozen ground, which reduc...
Delaware Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
The Delaware Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers incentives up to $3,500 for EVs, as well as lesser rebates for hybrids and natural gas vehicles.
Renewables Built Through New York Power Authority
Under New York’s 2023 budget (see Part QQ), the New York Power Authority will have broad new ability to build renewables and can compete for state contracts subsidized by ratepayers. The legislation a...
Utah’s SB 115
SB 115 directed the Utah Public Service Commission to authorize certain funds for “innovative utility programs” designed to investigate, among other options, energy storage technology. The commission ...
Washington’s Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program
Washignton’s SB 5947 (2019) established the state’s sustainable farms and fields grant program, which will “provide financial assistance to voluntary farmers and ranchers who adopt practices that redu...
New Jersey’s EERS
2019’s A-3723 requires each utility to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce electricity usage by 2 percent and natural gas usage by 0.75 percent annually. In 2020, NJ’s PUC issued an order r...
Maine C-PACE Legislation
This bill establishes commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) programs to finance energy savings improvements related to energy efficiency, weatherization, or the installation of renewable ...
RGGI Forest Offset Projects and Biomass Exemption
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a carbon cap-and-trade program amongst Northeastern states, has established offset credits Afforestation and Forestry. Allowances are awarded based on the addit...
South Dakota Rules Regarding Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
In 2009, HB 1129 authorized the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to regulate the integrity of CO2 pipelines used for transporting CO2 for enhanced oil recovery or geologic sequestration.
Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Portfolio
In June 2019, Connecticut lawmakers passed House Bill 7156 directing the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to solicit 2 GW of offshore wind capacity.
CELICA
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) toolkit provides an overview of tools, resources, and models for developing low-income energy efficiency an...
Report, Getting to 20 Million EVs by 2030: Opportunities for the Electricity Industry in Preparing for an EV Future
This 2020 Brattle Group presentation provides an assessment of the investments needed across the electric power sector to support the deployment of 20 million EVs in the U.S. by 2030 with a focus on E...
California’s Electric Coop Law
California’s coop statute permits a group of adjacent customers in any area to establish their own generation and distribution system.
Report, Designing Renewable Electricity Policies to Reduce Emissions
Resources for the Future authored a 2012 discussion paper on how renewable electricity policies can be redesigned to promote investment in the highest-value generators (displacing the most polluting c...
Colorado’s HB 12-1931
Colorado’s HB 12-1931 (2019) updates and adopts standards for water efficiency and energy efficiency that apply to a list of consumer and commercial appliances and other products. The standards are ba...
Zero-Emission Residential Buildings Memorandum of Understanding
In January, 2024, nine states signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing the goal that 65 percent of all new residential HVAC and hot water heating systems use electric heat pumps by 2030...
Virginia Acts ch. 763 (2019)
Virginia’s Acts Ch. 763 (2019) required utilities to develop pilots in community solar and time-of-use rates.utility
Report, Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage in the Louisiana Chemical Corridor
This study identifies industrial CCS as a potential source of negative emissions in Louisiana, with the right policy changes. In Louisiana, industrial carbon emissions, driven primarily by refining an...
Missouri Home Improvement Tax Deduction
In July 2008 Missouri enacted legislation (codified at Mo. R.S. 143.121(8)) allowing homeowners to take an income tax deduction (up to $1000, or $2000 for couples) of the cost of home energy audits an...
California’s Proposed Deforestation-Free Procurement Act
This 2019 proposed bill, called the California Deforestation-Free Procurement Act, or AB 572, would require companies that contract with the state to certify that their products do not cause the cutti...
2018 International Energy Efficiency Code
The 2018 International Energy Efficiency Code from the International Code Council is a comprehensive energy conservation code that establishes minimum regulations for energy-efficient buildings using ...
New Mexico’s HB 50 (2020)
New Mexico passed a March 2020 bill providing that transmission line projects qualify for industrial revenue bonds available through cities and municipalities, and supporting power lines that promote ...
Maryland’s GHG Reduction Requirements through EERS
Maryland’s HB 864 directs the state’s public service commission to establish GHG emissions reduction targets for utilities as part of a suite of revisions to the state’s EmPOWER Maryland efficiency pr...
Rhode Island Community Choice Aggregation
R.I. General Laws §96-H8124B established Rhode Island’s Community Choice Aggregation program. The Act was amended in 2002 by House Bill 7786 to give municipalities the ability to set up “opt out” prog...
Hawaii’s Proposed SB 2818 SD 2
Hawaii’s proposed SB 2818 SD2 HD1 (2020), if passed, would “fund and require the public utilities commission to conduct a study regarding the availability, feasibility, and costs of the use of renewab...
Washington State Siting Council
Approval by Washington’s state siting council explicitly “preempts the regulation and certification of the location, construction, and operational conditions of certification of the energy facilities”...
New Jersey’s S2252 (2020)
New Jersey’s S2252 establishes a Statewide public plug-in electric vehicle charging system. The bill directs a working group of state agencies to develop a Statewide plan for installing at least 600 p...
LPDD Model Law: State Tax Credits for EV Charging Stations
This model law would establish a credit against state income tax and further incentivize the development of EV charging infrastructure in the state. The model law provides for different levels of tax ...
Massachusetts’ EERS
Massachusetts’ Green Communities Act requires that electric and gas utilities procure all cost-effective energy efficiency, which requirements the state’s PUC administers on a three-year planning cycl...
LPDD Model Executive Order: CCS Energy Purchase Policies for State and Local Government
This Model Executive Order identifies overarching environmental goals and some of the benefits that would result from (i) state agencies purchasing a minimum amount of CCS energy for use in buildings,...
Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap
Under the framework of Massachusetts’ Global Warming Solutions Act, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has committed to achieving Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050. Commissioned by the Executive Office of...
Connecticut’s SB 4
In May 2022, Connecticut passed legislation addressing government EV fleets, charging rights, and distributed solar rights. On government fleets, SB4 (2022) sets a requirement for state vehicle fleets...
Hawaii’s Proposed SB 698
In 2015, Hawaiian legislators considered a bill to prevent the state Public Utility Commission from approving a power purchase agreement if the agreement prohibits the sale of renewable energy to thir...
EVolve NY
Through EVolve NY, the New York Power Authority will invest up to $250 million through 2025 to increase charging infrastructure, aiming to put fast electric charging infrastructure every 30-50 miles o...
California’s Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project
In 2020, the California Air Resource Board launched the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), which offers vouchers of up to $500,000 per vehicle for businesses interested in buyi...
Report, Enabling Industrial Decarbonization
In December 2022, the US Climate Alliance published Enabling Industrial Efficiency, a 116-page guidebook for state governments on strategies and pathways for policymakers to reduce GHG emissions from ...
Virginia’s Executive Order 43
Executive Order 43 (2019) calls for 100% carbon-free energy by 2050, with a 30% interim target by 2030. The EO includes targets of at least 3,000 megawatts of solar and onshore wind under development ...
California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act
In September, 2023, California approved the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which will require companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue to disclose their carbon emissions, incl...
Carbon Costs Coalition
The Carbon Costs Coalition is a group of state legislators from 12 states devoted to accurately accounting for the cost of carbon pollution. Their efforts aim to strengthen the regional momentum and a...
Maine’s Integrated Grid Planning Legislation
In May 2022, Maine’s enacted LD 1959, requiring electric utilities to undertake an “integrated grid planning” process every five years, and for those plans to support the state’s goal of reducing gree...
Colorado’s Midstream Oil and Gas Emissions Regulations
In December, 2024, the Colorado Air Control Commission adopted a new rule addressing greenhouse gas emissions from midstream fuel combustion equipment such as engines, turbines, and heaters. Fuel comb...
ACEEE Report, Siting Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment with Equity in Mind
This April 2021 report from ACEEE analyzes the extent to which states and utilities are including equity in their EVSE siting and offers considerations to help ensure the benefits of transportation el...
Carbon Sequestration Tool for Timber Harvesting Plans
The University of California Forest Research and Outreach Program has designed a Carbon Sequestration Tool for timber harvesting plans. It provides estimates of total carbon sequestration benefits for...
California’s Autonomous EV Mandate
This bill requires, beginning January 1, 2030, an autonomous vehicle operating on a public road in California to be a zero-emission vehicle. It was signed into law in September 2021. By confronting th...
Report, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals from Forest Land, Woodlands, and Urban Trees in the United States, 1990-2018
USDA Forest Service’s 2020 report delivers an overview of the status and trends of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from forest land, woodlands, hardwood products, and urban trees nationally for ...
Georgia Bioenergy Sales and Use Tax Incentives
Georgia adopted exemptions to its sales and use taxes for biomass used to generate electricity.
New York’s Clean Climate Careers Initiative
The Clean Climate Careers Initiative was launched in 2017 with the goal of creating 40,000 new clean energy jobs by 2020. The Initiative includes an Environmental Justice and Just Transition Working G...
Hawaii’s HB 623
In June 2015, Hawaii enacted HB 623, a law requiring all electric power to come from renewable sources by 2045.
NYSERDA Behavioral Consulting
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provides behavior design and evaluation consulting services to organizations that are interested in using behavioral strategies to increase...
Nebraska’s LB 243 (2019)
Nebraska’s LB 243 created a Healthy Soils Task Force within the Department of Agriculture, made up of representatives from government, academia, production agriculture, agribusiness, and environmental...
Hawaii’s GEM$ On Bill Program
Hawaii’s Act 204 (2011) directed the Public Service Commission to investigate the viability of an on-bill financing program. After one short-lived program, the Commission published a 2017 Decision (Or...
New Mexico Low Income Energy Efficiency Grant Program
In February 2022, New Mexico enacted a law that creates a grant program to implement energy efficiency measures in low-income households. HB 037 authorizes a county, municipality, Indian nation, tribe...
Massachusetts SMART Program
Massachusetts SMART (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) program includes an adder for up to 6 cents per kWh on a twenty-year contract for solar on farmland. See the tab “Compensation Rate Adders” i...
Rhode Island Zero Energy Ready Stretch Code
Rhode Island adopted a stretch code to encourage the construction of Zero-Energy Ready Homes (ZERH). ZERH certified homes are intended to be designed and constructed to a standard that allows them to ...
New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act
New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act (2019) amends the state’s renewable portfolio standard to target 80% renewable energy by 2040 and 100% zero carbon energy by 2045, effectively phasing out fossil fue...
Washington’s 2019 SB 5116
Washington’s 2019 SB 5116 forces utilities to provide 100% carbon neutral power by 2030 (although 20% of this obligation may be met by the purchase of RECs, the payment of $100/ton administrative pena...
Virginia EV-Ready Public Building Code
Virginia adopted EV-Ready building standards for new county, city, town, or school buildings larger than 5,000 square feet.
Colorado’s SB-236
Colorado’s SB-236 (2019) authorizes the securitization of coal plants as a way to hasten their retirement and to bring additional funds to coal-dependent communities. It allows a utility company to sw...
NY’s Landfill Gas Funding Program
New York provides funding to municipally owned or operated landfills installing gas management systems designed to capture gas created within, and emitted from, the landfill. Funding awards are made a...
Colorado’s SB-236
Colorado’s SB-236 (2019) authorizes the securitization of coal plants, and uses some of the millions of dollars in savings from securitization to reinvest back in workers and vulnerable communities.
Wyoming’s 1981 Solar Rights Act
Wyoming’s 1981 Solar Rights Act employs a prior appropriation regime and address shading from both human obstructions and from vegetation.
Washington’s Coal Phaseout
In 2019, Washington passed SB 5116, which will require utilities in Washington to stop buying electricity generated from coal by the end of 2025 or face penalties. The Utilities and Transportation Com...
NY’s Proposed SNAP Regulation
New York’s Proposed 6 NYCRR Part 494, Hydrofluorocarbon Standards and Reporting, would adopt prohibitions on certain HFC substances in certain end-uses as previously included in the SNAP program.
ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits
ASHRAE publishes Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits. These standards describe three levels of energy audits, which are frequently cited in defining the scope of an energy audit required ...
Nevada’s SB 358
Nevada’s SB 358 (passed in 2019) increases the state’s RPS to 50% by 2030; with a goal of reaching 100% clean energy by 2050.
Illinois Legislation Backstopping RPS Payments
In February, 2025, Illinois adopted HB 587, which realigns responsibilities for paying energy suppliers under contract through the state’s renewable portfolio standard. The law was adopted in anticipa...
MCLI Model Law - Tax Credits for Clean Freight Vehicles
For most states, the transportation sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions. Heavy-duty freight trucks and delivery vehicles are a significant contribu...
Database of State Efficiency Standards
The Appliance Standards Awareness Project maintains a database of state efficiency standards for products that are not federally regulated. At most recent check, it lists standards for thirty differen...
New York’s Community Risk and Resiliency Act of 2014
The Community Risk and Resiliency Act of 2014 requires the state to adopt official projections of future sea level rise, and it mandates that in many specified state programs, sea level rise and some ...
Bottle Bill Resource Guide
The Container Recycling Institute’s projects at bottlebill.org and container-recycling.org document active and proposed bottle bills in the US and abroad.
Montana’s HB 25
Montana’s HB 25 created a GHG emissions performance standard that applies to acquisition of an equity interest or lease in electric power-generating units primarily fueled with coal in the state, requ...
Washington’s HB 1444
Washington’s HB 14444 (2019) establishes efficiency standards for products not federally preempted, including portable electric spas, residential pool pumps, showerhead tub spout diverter combinations...
NY SUN
NY SUN is the consolidated umbrella for New York solar incentives for homes, businesses, and communities. The program was re-launched in 2014 with a goal of supporting 3.175 GW of installed capacity b...
Colorado’s Rule Against Ratepayer Funds for Lobbying
A 2023 law in Colorado prohibits investor-owned utility companies from using ratepayer money to fund trade associations, promotional advertising, certain kinds of lobbying, and other political influen...
Sustainable Development Code
The Sustainable Development Code project is the work of interdisciplinary research team including law schools and practitioners from across the country. The SDC provides concrete ways for local govern...
Report, California Small Hydro Resource Assessment
A 2006 study issued by the California Energy Commission, Statewide Small Hydropower Resource Assessment, found approximately 225 MW of RPS-eligible small hydropower in man-made conduits across the sta...
California SB 1383
SB 1383 mandates the Air Resources Board to establish targets for reducing organic waste in landfills and mandates the adoption of regulations to reduce methane emissions from livestock and dairy manu...
Washington’s State Energy Benchmark Law
In addition to benchmarking requirements for private buildings, Washington’s State Energy Benchmark Law (2009) put in place strict requirements for public buildings, including mandatory investment-gra...
ZEV Task Force Action Plan for Heavy-Duty Zero-Emissions Vehicles
Nearly 20 states and jurisdictions have signed on to an action plan striving for 100% electric medium and heavy-duty vehicle sales by 2050. The plan, released in July 2022, includes policy recommendat...
LPDD Model Law: Establishing an Environmental Advisory Board
This model law establishes a powerful platform for advocating equity and justice in historically marginalized communities. This model law addresses various environmental justice issues, by recognizing...
Maryland Electric School Bus Pilot
Maryland’s HB 696 (2022) establishes an Electric School Bus (ESB) pilot program administered by the Public Service Commission. Under the program, a utility may apply to implement a pilot program to de...
Vermont’s Environmental Justice Legislation
In May 2022, Vermont adopted SB 148, which defines “environmental justice focus populations” and requires the State agencies to incorporate environmental justice into their work, rules, and procedures...
Report, Defining Biomass as a Source of Renewable Energy
Zeller-Powell’s 2011 thesis, Defining Biomass as a Source of Renewable Energy: The Life-Cycle Carbon Emissions of Biomass Energy and a Survey and Analysis of Biomass Definitions in States’ Renewable P...
LPDD Model Grant: Conservation Easement with Declaration of Covenants
This Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants was developed by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, and adapted by our team to enhance terms that promote biologic carbon s...
Florida’s SB 7018 (2020)
Florida’s SB 7018 (2020) requires the Florida Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Public Service Commission and the Office of Energy within the Department of Agriculture and Consume...
Vermont’s Proposed Climate Superfund Bill
This proposed 2024 bill imposes a one-time fee on major fossil fuel producers responsible for more than a billion metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution from 2000 through 2019. The funds collected th...
California’s 100% Electric School Bus Mandate, and Lease Term Extensions
In September 2023, California passed a law requiring that 100% of all newly purchased or contracted school buses be zero-emission vehicles, where feasible, by 2035. The law also solves a common hurdle...
Montana HB 467 (2019)
Montana’s HB 467 (2019) authorizes the securitization of energy infrastructure, including coal plants, as a way to hasten their retirement and to bring additional funds to coal-dependent communities.
Illinois’ SAFE CCS Act
Passed in July 2024, Illinois’ Safety and Aid for the Environment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act establishes regulations on carbon capture and storage, and places a two year moratorium on car...
Louisiana Rules Regarding Pore Space
In 2008, HB 1117 established procedures for the use of underground reservoirs for storage of CO2, including requiring a public hearing. In 2009, HB 661 further authorized parties injecting CO2 for geo...
New Hampshire’s SB 575 and Time of Use Rates for EVs
On August 11, 2018, New Hampshire’s SB 575, a bill establishing requirements for, and restrictions on, electric vehicle charging stations, went into effect. SB 575 required the state’s Public Utility ...
Oregon Forest Practices Act
The Oregon Forest Practices Act (FPA) sets standards for all commercial activities involving the establishment, management, or harvesting of trees on Oregon’s forestlands. The Act provided for field i...
California’s Law Superseding Local Permitting Obstacles for Renewable Energy Projects (AB 205, 2022)
California’s AB 205 (2022), among other provisions, establishes a new permitting procedure that supersedes local approvals for large renewable energy projects, which runs through the State Energy Comm...
California Oil and Gas Sector Methane Emissions Regulation
California’s methane regulations are designed to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production, processing, storage, and transmission compressor stations. The regulation requires oil and gas pr...
LPDD Model Law: State Legislation to Promote Community Solar Facilities
This model legislation is intended to accelerate the development of community solar projects nationwide by providing a common-sense statutory framework that can be adopted by states that currently hav...
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Carbon Pricing Guidance
The New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation published a 2021 guidance document outlining the value of carbon and other climate pollutants for use by other agencies in a regulatory context. ...
New Mexico’s Conservation Executive Order (2021)
In August, New Mexico’s Governor signed an executive order that aims to set aside 30 percent of the state’s lands and waters by 2030 for conservation and another 20 percent for climate stabilization. ...
Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
Washington. In Washington, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has jurisdiction over all wind projects regardless of size. The local government (county and city) for a proposed project has a v...
Report on Colorado Zero Emission Vehicle Program
The Environmental Defense Fund prepared a 2019 study on the impacts of Colorado adopting ZEV standards in line with California’s ZEV regulation, finding that the program would save Coloradans up to $6...
Colorado’s HB 1286 (2021)
This bill requires owners of certain large buildings to collect and report to the Colorado energy office the covered building’s energy use. On or before June 1, 2027, a covered building owner demonstr...
Maryland’s Energy Storage Pilot Program
Maryland SB 573 (2019) creates an energy storage pilot program in Maryland. The program requires the state’s four investor owned utilities to issue two solicitations for energy storage projects in 202...
Maine’s Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging
In July 2021, Maine became the first state in the nation to adopt a law requiring companies that create consumer packaging to pay for the costs of recycling. LD 1541 establishes an “extended producer ...
Maine Tree Growth Tax Law
In Maine, property taxes for forest lands are based on the value of the land in its current use, rather than market value. This method allows for valuation of forestland based on the actual use of the...
California Building Electrification and Gas Market Reports
E3’s 2019 study, Residential Building Electrification in California, evaluates the consumer economics, greenhouse gas savings and grid impacts of electrification in residential low-rise buildings acro...
Maryland Act to Consider Climate and Labor in Utility Regulation
This law, enacted in May 2021, requires the Maryland Secretary of the Environment to include any issues that the Public Service Commission (PSC) must consider relating to climate change in its recomme...
New York’s 2019 Climate Mobilization Act
New York’s 2019 Climate Mobilization Act established a 2030 goal to increase energy efficiency from 2012 levels by 23%. The Act also incorporated the governor’s previous target of 185 trillion Btus of...
Missouri tax deductions for home energy audits and efficiency improvements
In July 2008 Missouri enacted legislation (codified at Mo. R.S. 143.121(8)) allowing homeowners to take an income tax deduction (up to $1000, or $2000 for couples) of the cost of home energy audits an...
LPDD Model Law: State Demand Charges Legislation
In many jurisdictions, the current rate structure for electrical service discourages the development of high-performing DC fast chargers for electric vehicles. Electricity bills in those jurisdictions...
Report, The Coming Electrification of the North American Economy
The Brattle Group’s 2019 study assessed the importance of proactive infrastructure planning in anticipation of the electrification of major sectors of the U.S. economy. The study makes a case for acce...
New Mexico’s HB 291
New Mexico’s HB 291 requires utilities to enhance their energy efficiency programs. The law set a new 2025 target to achieve savings of 5% relative to 2020 sales, raised the cap on efficiency spending...
Massachusetts Gas Transition Order
In December 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an order to move utilities away from natural gas. The regulatory strategy prohibits gas utilities from charging customers for ...
Colorado Pipeline Leaks Regulations
Colorado requires producers to inspect facilities for leaks (using audio, visual, or olfactory methods) every month, and undertake more comprehensive leak survey (using equipment to detect gas in the ...
Massachusetts RPS
Massachusetts’ RPS provides for biomass life cycle analysis, setting a standard for ensuring the carbon benefit of biomass production. Biomass facilities must provide a statement of qualification that...
New Mexico Bill on Solar Offers for New Construction
This 2023 New Mexico bill would require home builders to offer buyers installed solar in new construction.
New York’s Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act
In June 2022, New York enacted a law opening the door to allowing utilities to build and own networks that distribute thermal energy, under the watch of the state Public Service Commission. The legisl...
Vermont H. 411
Vermont has followed California’s model, approving legislation that adopts current federal energy-efficiency standards for appliances and equipment “so that the same standards will be in place in Verm...
AWEA fact sheet on bird turbine fatalities
The American Wind Energy Association has prepared a fact sheet showing that wind energy is responsible for less than 0.01% of human-caused bird fatalities.
LPDD Model Law: State Statute on HOV Lane Benefits
State governments can encourage the purchase of “super ultra-low emission vehicles” or “SULEVs” by allowing such SULEVs to use high occupancy vehicle or HOV lanes without regard to the number of passe...
Connecticut’s Law Banning Ratepayer Funding for Political Activity
Connecticut’s SB 7 prohibits utilities from using money from customers’ bills to pay for political activities, including lobbying and trade association dues. Utilities are required to file annual disc...
Massachusetts’ Environmental Justice Strategy
In February 2024, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy of Environmental Affairs (EEA) unveiled the state’s first-ever Environmental Justice (EJ) Strategy. The document provides guidelines to e...
California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Law
California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Law (SB 375) requires GHG emission targets to be set for passenger vehicles and light trucks for each metropolitan planning area in the stat...
Virginia’s Clean Economy Act, SB 851 (2020)
Virginia’s Clean Econony Act (SB 851) requires Dominion Virginia (the state’s dominant utility) and the smaller Appalachian Power Co. to supply 30 percent of their power from renewables by 2030, and t...
Washington’s 2030 Gas-Powered Car Phaseout Bill
In March, 2022, Washington State enacted a bill requiring a planning process aiming to prohibit the sale or registration of gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2030, the fastest such target in the na...
ACEEE Report, Programs to Electrify Space Heating in Homes and Buildings
This 2020 report from ACEEE provides an updated review of state and local electrification programs, focusing on space heating, which is the largest use of fossil fuels in buildings. It provides progra...
California Recycling Market Development Act
The California Recycling Market Development Act (2019) reauthorizes a Recycling Sales Tax Exemption; reauthorizes the Recycling Market Development Zone Program; and establishes a “Statewide Commission...
LPDD Model Law: Electric Bike Rebates
Since E Bikes are orders of magnitude less expensive than other types of AFVs, government subsidies aimed at increasing E Bike mode share could achieve GHG reductions at a relatively modest cost. More...
Connecticut’s Pollution in Frontline Communities Bill
As of spring 2023, the Connecticut Legislature is considering a bill backed by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, which would give that agency, as well as the Connec...
California’s SB 100
In 2018, California passed Senate Bill 100, requiring 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045, effectively phasing out coal and natural gas.
Nevada’s SB 300 (2019)
Nevada’s Senate Bill 300 (2019) directs state regulators to explore an alternative ratemaking process — including performance incentives, decoupling mechanisms, and earnings-sharing mechanisms — that ...
New Jersey law promoting wind variances
State law makes it easier for wind project proponents to get variances from local zoning ordinances by nominating wind generation as an “inherently beneficial use.” This means that the variance will g...
Indiana’s Small Modular Reactor Legislation
Indiaina’s SB 271 (2022) defines small modular reactors as “clean energy projects” and makes them eligible for financial incentives. It also requires utility regulators to adopt new rules governing SM...
Ohio Rules on Carbon Injections
In 2010, Ohio’s SB 165 established that the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management has the authority to issue permits for underground injection of carbon dioxide for secondary or tertiary recove...
Colorado’s SB 167
Colorado authorizes EV manufacturers that have no existing dealer franchise to be able to sell their vehicles directly to customers.
Michigan RPS Advanced Cleaner Energy Sources
Comp. Laws §460.1047(7)(b)(iii) names plants that capture and sequester 85% or more of carbon emissions as eligible “advanced cleaner energy sources.” Advanced cleaner energy credits can be used to me...
Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program
While certain federal preemptions on regulating emissions at freight terminals apply, California has nonetheless provided $60 million per year in grant funding to fleets of three or fewer vehicles tha...
Wisconsin Public Service Commission
In Wisconsin, the Public Service Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over the siting of large electric generating facilities with nominal capacities over 100 MW. State certification preempts local r...
Maine’s Legislation Adopting California’s Appliance Efficiency Standards
In July 2021, Maine passed appliance standards legislation that effectively adopts California’s appliance efficiency regulations, as those regulations were in effect on January 1, 2021, for the follow...
LPDD Model Law: Legislation Enabling Guaranteed Conservation Performance Contracting for Public Entities
Employing energy-efficiency retrofits can improve the energy-efficiency of existing buildings by approximately 30-50%. One model for financing and installing such retrofits is the guaranteed energy sa...
Nevada’s SB 204
Nevada’s SB 204 (2017) requires the state’s Public Utilities Commission to study whether it should establish a program mandating that the state’s electric utilities produce energy storage systems.
Connecticut’s Microgrid Grant and Loan Program
Connecticut’s Microgrid Grant and Loan Program (2012) has funded four rounds of grants to qualifying projects to study and build microgrids around critical facilities, defined as “any hospital, police...
California Unattended Idling Prohibition
California Vehicle Code ch. 9 §22515 prohibits unattended vehicle idling.
Ohio’s nuclear subsidies
Ohio’s HB 6 (2019) – among a number of other poor environmental policies – establishes a new monthly electricity surcharge, from 85 cents for residential customers up to $2,400 for industrial customer...
California AB525 (2021)
In September 2021, the California legislature passed a bill requiring the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a strategic plan to build 10,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2040, and 3,000 m...
New Jersey’s ZEC program
Bill S-2313 establishes a Zero Emissions Certificate (ZEC) program to maintain New Jersey’s nuclear energy supply. Eligible plants must show that they are at risk of closure within three years. The la...
Colorado EO on Aligning Housing Policy with Climate Goals
An August 2023 Executive Order out of Colorado declares that it is state policy to align Colorado’s population growth with climate, water and other goals by reducing sprawl, encouraging denser communi...
California’s Solar Permitting Efficiency Act
California’s Solar Permitting Efficiency Act (2014) requires all 515 local governments to create an expedited, online solar permitting process for rooftop solar installations under 10 kW, and provides...
NY Proposed Assembly Bill A862 (2021)
This NYS Assembly Bill establishes the low carbon fuel standard of 2021; such standard is intended to reduce carbon intensity from the on-road transportation sector by 20% by 2032, with further reduct...
Vermont’s Act 54 (2021) and Responsive Proceeding
In June, 2021, Vermont enacted Act 54, granting the Vermont Utility Commission the authority to adopt rules that integrate storage resources into the grid, where they can act as both sources and sinks...
New Jersey’s S232 (2020)
The legislation requires the Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate public health and environmental effects when certain businesses like power plants, incinerators, sewage treatment facili...
New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act increased the ambition of the state’s Renewable Portfolio standard to target 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-...
Texas Competitive Renewable Energy Zones
The Texas Public Utility Commission is responsible for designating “competitive renewable energy zones” and “develop[ing] a plan to construct transmission capacity necessary to deliver to electric cus...
Repair.org
Repair.org promotes legislative efforts to enshrine the right to repair in state and federal law. They have published a model state right to repair law.
C2ES Database on U.S. State Energy Financial Incentives for CCS
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions maintains a map-based database of state financial incentives for CCS.
California AB 841
Requires not less than 35% of the investments through existing electric vehicles charging infrastructure funding streams to be deployed in underserved communities, as defined. The bill also requires a...
California Embodied Carbon Building Code
In August 2023, the California Building Standards Commission approved amendments to the state’s green building code, requiring developers to limit the amount of carbon “embodied” in new or remodeled l...
New Jersey’s Executive Order 28
In 2019, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 28, directing the development of an updated Energy Master Plan (EMP) for the state to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050, effectively phasing out ...
New York’s proposed Senate Bill 8032
New York’s proposed Senate Bill 8032 (2016) was introduced in the New York State Senate, which would have directed the New York State Power Authority to purchase the FitzPatrick plant as caretaker own...
West Virginia Rules on Carbon Injections
In 2009, HB 2860 authorized the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to regulate carbon dioxide sequestration projects. The bill directed the agency to develop additional regulations t...
Rhode Island’s Act on Climate
In April 2021, Rhode Island passed an Act on Climate (H5445A), which requires the state to develop a plan to reduce all climate emissions from transportation, buildings/heating & electricity used econ...
Virginia’s Advanced Clean Cars Program
In March 2021, Virginia adopted HB1965, creating an Advanced Clean Cars Program. This bill expands the powers and duties of the State Air Pollution Control Board relating to low emissions vehicles (LE...
New Jersey Law on EV Charging in Common Interest Developments
New Jersey’s A3367 (2020) establishes standards to encourage the installation and use of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in common interest communities. Specifically, the bill prohibits common...
Model Language for Outcome-Based Energy Codes
New Building Institute provides draft regulatory language for jurisdictions to incorporate outcome-based compliance metrics into current energy codes.
Motor Fuel Tax Information by State
The Federation of Tax Administrators published a September 2017 report summarizing Motor Fuel Tax Information by State. As of that publication, four states had exempted aviation fuel generally from ta...
California Ban on Parking Requirements Near Transit
In September 2022, California passed a law barring local governments from imposing parking requirements at housing, retail and other commercial developments within a half-mile of major public transit ...
California Law Expediting Transmission Permitting
In September, 2023, California passed a law making transmission projects eligible for status as “environmental leadership development projects,” which would require state agencies to resolve environme...
Model Community Solar Legislation
The Coalition for Community Solar Access has authored two sets of model community solar legislation for vertically integrated states and restructured states.
Rhode Island’s EV Charger Rebate Program
Rhode Island recently launched a new rebate program to encourage the installation of EV charging infrastructure on residential properties. The PowerUpRI initiative will provide the lesser of $700 or 5...
New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act
New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act (2019) amends the state’s renewable portfolio standard to target 80% renewable energy by 2040 and 100% zero carbon energy by 2045. The bill allows utilities to secur...
RAP report, Insights for States Preparing for Electric Transportation
RAP’s 2020 report, Taking First Steps: Insights for States Preparing for Electric Transportation, surveys topics of concern for states trying to increase electric vehicle penetration, including managi...
LPDD Model Law: State Statute Providing Rebates for Electric Vehicles
The LPDD team drafted the attached model state statute offering rebates for purchases of battery electric vehicles (“BEVs”) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (“PHEVs”) (collectively “EVs”) with a m...
LPDD Analysis: Incorporation of Climate Action Reserve Nitrogen Management Project Protocol 2.0 into State Law and Policy
Emissions of nitrous oxide are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in the United States, amounting to approximately 5 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions on an annual basis. Agricul...
California School Bus Idling Law
California has adopted a regulation prohibiting school buses from idling while stopped at schools, or from starting more than 30 seconds before departure.
New Jersey C-Pace Legislation
A-2374 requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to establish a Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“C-PACE”) Program to facilitate the financing of C-PACE pro...
ACEEE Report, Analyzing State Energy Code Update Benefits
As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Department of Energy is has announced or should soon announce substantial funding opportunities for st...
Colorado Law on Housing Density Near Transit
Colorado’s HB 1313 (2024) defines “transit-oriented communities,” and encourages the development of more housing near transit and commercial centers by requiring these urban communities to set housing...
Washington Deep Decarbonization Pathways Analysis
Washington engaged energy experts at Evolved Energy and the Deep Decarbonization Project to develop pathways that the state can pursue in an effort to decarbonize by 2050. The resulting study includes...
NREL report, State Models to Incentivize and Streamline Small Hydropower Development
NREL’s 2017 report, State Models to Incentivize and Streamline Small Hydropower Development, analyzes state-led initiatives and programs that incentivize and streamline small hydroelectric development...
New Jersey’s S3223 (2021)
New Jersey’s S3223 (2021) provides that electric vehicle charging infrastructure is an inherently beneficial use pursuant to the “Municipal Land Use Law,” may require minor site plan approval from the...
California Rules for Gas Capture at Municipal Solid Waste Facilities
California’s AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, requires gas capture at any municipal solid waste landfill that accepted waste after 1976, holds 450,000 tons or more of waste, has heat input cap...
Kentucky Forest Stewardship Incentives Fund
Kentucky’s forest stewardship incentives fund is used to provide financial assistance to landowners for development of management plans and for practices including reforestation, afforestation, soil a...
Maryland’s Low-Income Carveout in Efficiency Funding
In April 2022, both houses of the Maryland legislature passed legislation that would steer energy efficiency funding more towards low-income residents. The existing EmPOWER Maryland program requires i...
Report, State Forestry Agency Perspectives on Carbon Management and Carbon Market Assistance to Family Forest Owners
Miller et al.’s 2015 report surveys efforts to aid family farm owners in carbon management of forested areas, including six states that have offered assistance programs for carbon management that eith...
NYS Clean Heat Program
Through the NYS Clean Heat program, electric utility companies offer rebates on both air and ground source heat pumps. Heat pumps are a more efficient heating and cooling option that eliminate fossil ...
Oregon’s Bill Bypassing Local Permitting for Batteries
Among states seeking ways to consolidate permitting authority for energy infrastructure in the face of difficult local approval processes, Oregon passed a law in March 2024 allowing battery developers...
New Jersey’s Repair-Oriented Transportation Planning Requirement
New Jersey requires its transportation department to submit a capital spending plan emphasizing road and bridge repair and demonstrating annual progress towards meeting repair goals (ch. 73, 2000 NJ L...
Maryland’s Energy Storage Grant Program
In May 2022, Maryland enacted a law establishing an Energy Storage System Grant Program to issue grants to individuals and businesses to cover a portion of the costs of energy storage systems installe...
California Cap-and-Trade Forest Offset Projects and Biomass Exemption
The California economy-wide cap-and-trade program established under the California Global Warming Solutions Act authorizes the creation of forest offsets. The California Air Resources Board has adopte...
California’s Moyer Program
California has used the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program to provide funding support for diesel engine retrofits and replacement. The program administers funds to help owner...
Massachusetts’ Proposed S. 2476 (2020)
Massachusetts’ proposed S. 2476 (2020) would compel the conversion of all MBTA buses to 100% electric by 2030. The legislation goes further, requiring the MBTA to have a completely zero emissions flee...
California Renewable Gas Interconnection Incentive
California established a $40 million monetary incentive program under which certain renewable gas producers can recover a portion of their interconnection costs from gas utilities. A 2016 bill, AB 231...
Kansas’ Solid Waste Management Plan
In compliance with RCRA, Kansas has submitted a Solid Waste Management Plan to EPA that addresses coal combustion residual waste.
Oregon’s SB 98
Oregon’s SB 98 (2019) adopts new portfolio targets for the use of renewable natural gas by Oregon’s natural gas utilities and directs the Oregon Public Utility Commission to establish mechanisms by wh...
California’s Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund
In June 2020, California passed AB78 to establish the Climate Catalyst Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-cost, low-interest finance to support eligible low carbon technology and infrastructure projec...
Low Income Solar Policy Guide
The Low Income Solar Policy Guide is a web-based resource dedicated to compiling best practices and resources for expanding solar access among low- and moderate-income communities. Fully enabling low-...
Virginia Launches Commission on Electric Utility Regulation
In a procedural move, Virginia’s Legislature has fully passed, pending the governor’s signature, a bill that would reboot and fully staff its Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. Its members wou...
Colorado’s Innovative Motor Vehicle and Truck Credits
Colorado’s Innovative Motor Vehicle and Truck Credits provide tax credits between $5,000 and $10,000 for the purchase of light to medium duty cars and trucks.
Hawaii PUC Decision 33258
The Hawaii PUC’s decision 33258 (2015) required utilities to collaborate with inverter manufacturers to develop a reasonable self-certification process for advanced inverters even before national stan...
ILSR Report, State of Composting in the US
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance published a 2014 report, State of Composting in the US, which takes a national snapshot of composting practices and identifies model public policies and programs.
California’s AB33 (2021)
In September 2021, the California legislature passed AB33, creating low-interest loans and grants for local governments to install energy storage and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The bill req...
LPDD Model Law: State Income Tax Credit Legislation For Purchasing New AFVs
This proposed state income tax credit legislation is designed to create economic incentives for the purchase or lease of Alternative Fuel Vehicles. The proposed legislation provides for options to the...
Colorado’s Free Transit During Ozone Season
In May, 2022, Colorado created an ozone season transit grant program, providing grants to the regional transportation district and transit associations in order to offer free transit services for at l...
Oregon’s Battle with Jordan Cove Energy Project
The Jordan Cove Energy Project seeks to build a liquified natural gas project off the Oregon coast. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development objected to Jordan Cove Energy Project’s ...
Pennsylvania’s State Forest Resource Management Plan
Pennsylvania’s 2016 State Forest Resource Management Plan recognizes carbon sequestration as one of many consistent objectives of the plan for managing Pennsylvania’s 2.2 million-acre state forest sys...
New Jersey Energy and Water Efficiency Regulations on Specific Products
New Jersey enacted 2022 legislation regulating energy and water efficiency for a suite of products that are not federally regulated, including showerheads, air purifiers, computer monitors, commercial...
Kentucky Coal Seam Methane Regulation
Kentucky has enacted general legislation prohibiting the waste of coal seam methane, including its “unnecessary or excessive loss” through venting or flaring. It includes an exception for active coal ...
New Mexico Climate Change Task Force
Through Executive Order 2019-003, New Mexico established a Climate Change Task Force to evaluate strategies and policies to reduce GHG emissions, including the adoption of a comprehensive market-based...
Illinois’ Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Illinois’ SB 2737 amends the state’s The Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act to explicitly address improving soil health, among other things. The Act permits the State Soil and Water Conservatio...
New York Methane Reduction Plan
New York’s Methane Reduction Plan is the workproduct of five different state agencies working to develop proposals and policies to inventory emissions and identify strategies for methane capture and e...
Utah House Bill 430
In 2009, Utah enacted House Bill 430 to provide incentives to develop renewable energy projects that include nuclear generation facilities.
New York’s Clean Water, Clean Energy, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act
In the 2022 election, New York voters overwhelming voted in favor of the Clean Water, Clean Energy, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, or Proposition 1. The Act includes up to $1.5B for climate change...
Report, Reimagining Energy Efficiency Resource Standards
This report examines how states consider energy efficiency in the context of four policy priorities: providing grid benefits, addressing load growth, reducing emissions, and promoting affordability. I...
New Jersey’s Diesel-Powered Truck Phaseout
In December 2021, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adopted a rule to phase out diesel-powered trucks – meaning anything bigger than a delivery van – starting in 2025. Based on Cal...
Texas’ RPS
In 2005, Texas’s legislature amended the state’s renewable portfolio standard to include a target of 10,000 MW of renewable energy by 2025. That target was reached in 2010, fifteen years ahead of sche...
Minnesota Clean Cars Program
In May 2021, an Administrative Law Judge in Minnesota ruled that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) could move forward with its Clean Cars Minnesota Program, which will see the state adopt ...
LPDD Model Law: Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Common-Interest Developments
This proposed statute seeks to remove and foreclose covenants that restrict modifications needed to install electric vehicle charging stations in common-interest developments, such as condominiums. It...
Illinois’ Solar for All Program
Illinois’ Solar for All program, created by Illinois’s 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act, provides solar power to qualifying residents with no upfront cost, while guaranteeing them at least 50% savings on t...
Impacts of the ReImagine Appalachia and Clean Energy Transition Programs for Pennsylvania
A January 2021 report by the Political Economy Research Institute outlines the benefits of an economic plan created by ReImagine Appalachia that includes climate policies. The economic plan is expecte...
California’s Gas Transition Pilot Projects Law
California’s SB 1221 will allow some neighborhoods in need of new gas lines to go all-electric instead — with new electric appliances provided at no cost to residents. The new law will spur up to 30 n...
Wyoming Regulation of Oil and Gas Sector Methane Emissions
Wyoming updated its standards in 2019 to require oil and gas companies to check new facilities regularly for emissions of smog and methane.
Report, Portfolio Standards and the Promotion of Combined Heat and Power
EPA’s 2016 report, Portfolio Standards and the Promotion of Combined Heat and Power, catalogs states with RPS, CES, APS, and EERS requirements or eligibility for CHP. It makes recommendations for how ...
LPDD Model Law: State Legislation Supporting Sustainable Management of Food Waste
The model law below addresses methods by which states can support the sustainable management of food waste. It targets individuals producing food residuals, and establishes state policies for the redu...
Virginia Legislation on Cost Recovery for SMRs
In 2024, Virginia passed legislation promoting the development of small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) electric-generating facilities. Under the legislation, investor-owned electric utilities may accel...
Report, Massachusetts Microgrids
Harvard’s 2014 report, Massachusetts Microgrids: Overcoming Legal Obstacles, surveys the laws surrounding extending distribution systems and selling power to neighboring customers in Massachusetts. In...
Michigan’s Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act
Michigan’s 2008 Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act called for the mapping of “Wind Energy Resource Zones” where transmission lines would be subject to an expedited siting process.
Colorado’s Geothermal Energy Legislation
In May 2022, Colorado enacted legislation encouraging of the use of geothermal energy by providing it similar treatment to solar energy. The legislation expressly includes geothermal as a renewable re...
California Building Electrification Awards and Resources
This legislation would require the California Energy Commission to publish guidance and best practices to help building owners, the construction industry, and local governments overcome barriers to el...
Connecticut’s HB 7006 (2020)
This 2020 legislation requires Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to investigate and develop a framework for implementing performance-based regulation for each electric distrib...
Report, State Income Tax Credits for Conservation Easements
Sundberg’s 2011 report surveys fifteen states that have created income tax credits to encourage the creation and donation of conservation easements. It finds that programs that offer the highest value...
LPDD Model Law: Prioritizing Funding of Clean Transportation Alternatives
This model law requires state governments to devote a larger share of transportation funding to providing meaningful alternatives to driving. The model lays out a roadmap for a more transparent, objec...
Report, Seeding Capital: Policy Solutions to Accelerate Investment in Nature-Based Climate Action
This June 2021 report from Berkeley Law, UCLA, and Bank of America addresses policy mechanisms to drive investment in negative emissions from land-use, improvement of natural carbon sinks, and agricul...
Massachusetts’ MOR-EV program
Massachusetts’ MOR-EV program provides rebates of up to $2,500 for qualifying battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) up to a $50,000 final purchase price. Additionall...
Washington State Heat Pump Requirement In New Construction
Per a November 2022 ruling from the Washington State Building Code Council, the state will require electric heat pumps in all newly built homes beginning in July 2023. The revised building codes will ...
Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act
With 2019’s Clean Energy Jobs Act, Maryland’s RPS is committed to a 50% renewable energy goal by 2030, and the state is required to engage in a planning process to achieve 100% renewable energy by 204...
Report, Promoting Renewable Natural Gas in Washington State
Washington State University’s 2018 report to the Washington State legislature identifies opportunities to support renewable natural gas in the state, including through public procurement and developme...
California Mobile Cargo Handling Requirement
California has provided a model for regulating in-use emissions from ports, through its regulation governing mobile cargo handling equipment at ports and intermodal railyards. The original regulation ...
Connecticut’s EJ Mapping Tool
In July 2023, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the University of Connecticut, unveiled a new environmental justice mapping tool. The mapping tool in...
Arizona Truck Idling Regulation
Arizona state law requires that counties adopt, implement and enforce ordinances that place limits on the maximum idling time of heavy-duty, long-range trucks.
Offshore Wind Multi-State Memorandum of Understanding
In October, 2023, the state agencies responsible for energy policy in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut signed a novel agreement to coordinate on offshore wind projects. The “Offshore Wind ...
C2ES Rules for Carbon Transport and Storage Database
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions maintains a map-based database cataloging state level rules on carbon transport and storage.
Georgia Code 32-9-4
Under Georgia Code 32-9-4, plug-in electric vehicles are eligible for the HOV lane with the correct license plate displayed.
New Mexico’s Community Solar Act
In March 2021, New Mexico passed SB84, the Community Solar Act. The Act outlines the requirements for qualifications, ownership, administration, and rulemaking around community solar projects. Under t...
Wisconsin Green Bank Exploratory Order
In April 2023, Wisconsin’s Governor signed EO 195, creating the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation to advise on establishing the Green Innovation Fund, which would be...
Texas Common Carrier Rules Regarding Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
Chapter 111 of the Texas Code authorizes owners and operators of CO2 pipelines to have common carrier status if they consent in writing to being subject to the common carrier requirements. These requi...
North Carolina property tax reduction for forest conservation
In North Caroline, property taxes for forest lands are based on the value of the land in its current use, rather than market value. This method allows for valuation of forestland based on the actual u...
Massachusetts’ Proposed Climate Superfund Bill
Massachusetts joined the group of states in 2024 proposing variations on a climate superfund bill, targeting $75 billion in damages for climate change from fossil fuel companies, to be spent on climat...
Laurel MD solar microgrid
The Maryland Energy Administration awarded a grant to Standard Solar for the development of a large, entirely solar (402 kW) and battery powered microgrid in an office park in Laurel, MD, the first op...
Delaware’s Requirement for Curbside Charging Procedures in Municipalities
In June 2022, Delaware enacted a law that requires municipalities with a population over 30,000 to develop a procedure to obtain permission for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station...
NY Truck Voucher Incentive Program
NY’s Truck Voucher Incentive Program provides vouchers, or discounts, to fleets across New York State that purchase or lease all-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, plug-in hybrid electric, convent...
Utah’s Tax Incentives for Hydrogen Production
In March 2021, Utah adopted state tax incentives for the production of hydrogen fuel. HB0223 provides that a taxpayer may claim a refundable tax credit of 12 cents per kg of hydrogen produced during t...
Maryland Efforts to Increase Railroad Tunnel Heights
CSX railroad and the state of Maryland have been negotiating and seeking federal funding to increase the height of a tunnel that has been an impediment to double-stacking. It is believed that the new ...
Oregon’s SB 1547
Oregon’s SB 1547 (2016) created an explicit prohibition on the use of coal power by investor-owned utilities as of 2030.
New Hampshire Fertilizer Rules
New Hampshire sets nitrogen concentration limits for different types of fertilizer.
Texas Emissions Reduction Plan programs
The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan comprises eleven different funding programs. The Texas Clean Fleet Program, e.g., provides grants to help diesel equipment owners retrofit older equipment, funded ou...
RAP Legislative Roadmap for Electric Transportation
The Regulatory Assistance Project has assembled resources for legislators interested in accelerating electric vehicle deployment. This legislative kit includes a policy guide, model legislation, fact ...
Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate
The Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate offers incentives of up to $5,000 for Connecticut residents who purchase or lease an eligible battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric...
SEIA TOU White Paper
The Solar Energy Industries Association has prepared a white paper, Getting More Granular, analyzing how time and location-specific values may change the economics for distributed energy projects.
Maryland’s Healthy Soils Program
Maryland’s Healthy Soils Program was established in 2017 through HB 1063 with goals “to (1) improve the health, yield, and profitability of the soils of the State; (2) increase biological activity and...
Report, States Should Spur Use of “Direct Pay” Tax Credits to Advance Clean Energy in Low-Income Communities
Seventy percent of the IRA’s $400 billion in climate investments is in the form of uncapped, direct pay tax credits, which are available through at least 2032. Beyond its scale, direct pay is unique i...
Get Food Smart Tennessee
Get Food Smart Tennessee is a state-run program coordinating with restaurants, schools, governments, non-profits, grocers, agriculture, and industry to reduce food waste. Their partners collaborate to...
California Solar Initiative
The California Solar Initiative (2007-16) offered different incentive levels to residential solar customers of the state’s three major investor utilities, based on the performance of their solar panel...
Maryland EO on Streamlining Permitting
In December 2024, Maryland’s governor signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council to facilitate interagency coordination and streamline permitting and env...
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a nine-state compact (as of October 2019) among Northeastern states to cap carbon emissions from the power sector and use permit auction proceeds to spur clea...
Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations
The US DOE supports Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations to operate in six regional chapters to promote energy code adoption, implementation and evaluation.
Massachusetts’ Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage program
In 2017, Massachusetts created a program, Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage, to provide $20 million in grants to energy storage projects that test various, multi-use business cases for energy stor...
Washington’s Sustainable Food Management Legislation
Washington’s HB2301 (2024) creates programs to prioritize food waste prevention, donation, or upcycling over composting or anaerobic digestion, and directs the state’s newly created Center for Sustain...
Kansas rules for repair of grade 3 pipeline leaks
Kansas is among a minority of states that have passed required timelines for repairing even pipeline leaks deemed “nonhazardous” (Grade 3). Kansas requires Grade 3 leaks to be repaired within 30 month...
DOE Report, The Role of Hydropower in State Clean Energy Policy
A 2020 report prepared for the DOE says many states’ energy policies are blocking the inclusion of hydropower in renewable portfolio standards and energy storage programs — even as some states are wag...
New York Green Bank
New York’s Green Bank was authorized and capitalized in 2013 by the Public Service Commission. NY Green Bank offers structured wholesale financial products and solutions to support a suite of clean en...
Hawaii’s Revised Statutes § 196-7.5
Hawaii’s Revised Statutes § 196-7.5 prohibits multi-unit dwellings from preventing a unit owner from placing an EV charging system on or near the owner’s parking stall.
NCSL RPS database
The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains a database of all renewable portfolio standards and voluntary targets, including citations to relevant legislation.
Hawaii’s HB 552 (2021)
Hawaii’s HB 552 (2021) establishes clean ground transportation goals for state agencies to achieve a one hundred per cent light-duty motor vehicles zero-emission fleet by December 31, 2035. The Bill a...
Virgin Islands’ Solar and Wind Energy Systems Act
The Virgin Islands’ Solar and Wind Energy Systems Act voids all covenants, conditions and restrictions that prohibit the use of solar and wind energy.
LPDD Model Law: State Legislation to Decarbonize the Generation of Electricity
This model state electric decarbonization statute is based on 2019 legislation enacted in Washington State, the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), which commits that state to a retail electricity...
SMART POWER
In October 2020, the governors of North Carolina, Maryland, and North Carolina signed a memorandum of understanding to form an interstate partnership to promote the development of offshore wind energy...
California’s Renewable Highways Legislation
SB 49 (2023) orders the California Department of Transportation to “evaluate the suitability” of the land it owns alongside highway roadways, exits and interchanges for developing renewable energy, e...
NY’s Proposed Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (2019)
New York’s proposed Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (2019) would create a tax credit for concrete manufacturers that meet the standards to make environmental product declarations. It would...
Vermont’s 100% Renewables by 2035 Legislation
In May 2024, Vermont’s House and Senate had passed a measure that would require all utilities to provide 100 percent clean energy by 2035. The bill would put the state on track to be among the first t...
Vermont Energy Act
The Vermont Energy Act (2011) established the first standardized solar permitting law in the United States, providing a consistent permitting application that covers components configuration, and inte...
Minnesota’s Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program
Minnesota’s Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program provides grants up to $50,000 to farmers, agricultural businesses, and schools for “projects that explore sustainable agricultu...
Western Climate Initiative
Under AB 32, California authorized a statewide cap-and-trade program in 2006. Under Chapter Q-2, r. 46.1, Quebec did the same in 2012. California and Quebec linked their cap and trade systems under th...
Colorado’s Executive Order D 2015-013
Colorado’s Executive Order D 2015-013 (2015) directs the Greening Government Leadership Council to work with all executive state agencies and departments to reduce weather normalized energy consumptio...
Washington’s SB 5116
Washington’s 2019 SB 5116 grants the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) the authority to shift utilities from a return-on-capital business model to a performance-based model. Rather than pr...
Virginia’s HB 1184 (2020)
Virginia’s HB 1184 (2020) promotes the establishment of distributed renewable solar and other renewable energy by, among other measures, requiring the State Corporation Commission to establish by regu...
Massachusetts’ Solar Mandate Bill for New Construction
This 2023 Massachusetts bill would require that detached one- and two-family dwellings must have a solar energy system producing at least 80 percent of the estimated average annual electricity use of ...
RAP Report, Regulatory Solutions for Building Decarbonization
RAP’s 2020 report, Regulatory Solutions for Building Decarbonization: Tools for Commissions and Other Government Agencies, focuses on electrification as the central decarbonization solution: replacing...
Maryland Tax Credits and Equipment Rebates for EVs
Maryland’s Excise Tax Credit for Plug-In Electric Vehicles provides up to $3,000 in tax credits for purchase of a plug-in electric or hybrid vehicle (although limited funds may be exhausted in a given...
Maine’s Community Benefit Agreements definition
Maine defines Community Benefit Agreements (at Maine Rev. Stat. 35-A § 3451(1-B)) between wind developers and host communities, noting they may involve payments by the developer to the host community ...
Tennessee Growth Policy Act
Tennessee’s Growth Policy Act established a comprehensive growth policy for the state, part of which was a requirement to designate urban growth boundaries, planned growth areas, and rural areas based...
Arizona’s proposed Senate Bill 1134
In 2015, Arizona considered Senate Bill 1134 to change the definition of renewable energy to include certain types of nuclear reactors alongside other technologies, such as wind, solar and hydroelectr...
Rhode Island Food Waste Diversion Law
Rhode Island’s law required covered entities to divert organic waste to an authorized composting or anaerobic digestion facility, or a facility that uses any other authorized recycling method, includi...
Massachusetts’ Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
Massachusetts’ Energy Efficiency Resource Standard is considered to be one of the most effective and ambitious in the nation. It was established by Massachusetts’ Green Communities Act, which requires...
Michigan Law Granting PSC Additional Equity, Environmental Review Powers
In November, 2023, both houses of Michigan’s legislature passed SB 502, which makes changes to the enabling act for Michigan’s Public service Commission (PSC) to enhance its oversight over environment...
California’s proposed SB 54 (2019)
SB 54, The California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, would require all single-use plastic packaging and products be reduced or recycled by 75 percent by 2030; require all single...
Utah EV Charging Legislation (2020)
In 2020, Utah passed multiple important pieces of legislation to move ahead on vehicle electrification, including HB 259, which calls on the state transportation agency to develop a statewide plan for...
Illinois Community Choice Aggregation
Illinois’ Power Agency Act established community choice aggregation in the state.
California Forest Practice Act
The California Forest Practice Act requires preparation of a timber harvesting plan for any timber subject to commercial harvesting in the state, regeneration of forest resources, old growth timber pr...
California’s SB 49
In 2019, California passed SB 49, which directs the California Energy Commission to develop standards for appliances related to flexible demand technologies that reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissi...
Colorado Fee on Oil and Gas to Fund Transit
Colorado’s SB 24-230 establishes a new fee on oil and gas production to fund increased transit service across the state. A production fee will be determined in consulting prevailing resources prices, ...
Minnesota Guidance on Climate Impacts in Environmental Review
In December 2022, Minnesota updated its procedures for conducting environmental review under the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act to require developers of new highways, industrial plants, livestock ...
Biodiversity and Wind Siting Mapping Tool for New York
The Nature Conservancy has prepared a Biodiversity and Wind Siting Mapping Tool for New York to help protect biodiversity while advancing statewide energy development. The tool maps important ecologic...
Washington’s Heat Pump Requirement for New Commercial Buildings
In April, 2022, Washington’s Building Code Council voted 11–3 to restrict the use of gas in new office complexes, apartment towers and other large facilities starting in July 2023. Under the revised c...
PEV Policy Evaluation Rubirc
The National Association of State Energy Officials published a 2018 report, PEV Policy Evaluation Rubric, which helps users to evaluate the strength and weakness of all PEV-related policies in a metro...
Maryland’s Law Allowing Condo Associations to Lease Solar
Maryland’s SB1206 (2024) amends the Maryland Condominium Act to allow condominium associations to lease solar panels, energy storage systems, and EV chargers to help meet the state’s clean energy goal...
New York’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources proceeding
New York’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources proceeding, a subtrack within the Reforming the Energy Vision Proceeding, continues to analyze the value of DERs including solar, but also considering ...
New York’s proposed S3998B
New York’s proposed S3998B (2016) would have required manufacturers to make available parts and repair information to owners and independent repair providers in the same manner as they make these reso...
North Dakota Tax Incentives for CCS
North Dakota’s Cent. Code Ann. §57-60-02.1 provides that a coal conversion facility that achieves a twenty percent capture of carbon dioxide emissions during a taxable period is entitled to a twenty p...
Report, State Legislation and Regulations Supporting Nuclear Energy
This 2022 report offers a 50-state survey of state activity supporting the development of nuclear energy, highlighting trends in zero-emission credit programs, clean energy standards, carbon pricing m...
National Conference of State Legislatures database of state statutes on wind facility siting
The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains a database of state statutes on wind facility siting with citations and brief summaries.
Hawaii’s HB 556
Hawaii’s HB 556 (2019) sets minimum efficiency standards for common household products including computers, faucets, and showerheads.
California’s 1978 Solar Shade Control Act
California’s 1978 Solar Shade Control Act addresses shading from vegetation, but not from constructed obstructions. Problematically, it also treats claims as a private nuisance (increasing costs to en...
Massachusetts’ Act to Advance Clean Energy (2018)
In 2018, Massachusetts enacted An Act to Advance Clean Energy, which expanded the scope of electric energy efficiency to include measures designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of...
Connecticut Clean Diesel Plan Funding
The Clean Diesel Grant Program funds a number of programs in the state, including the Clean School Bus program.
Report, Evolving the RPS: Implementing a Clean Peak Standard
Strategen Consulting’s 2018 paper, Evolving the RPS: Implementing a Clean Peak Standard, advises states on how to expand RPS’s to target clean energy during peak demand times, which may require the gr...
California Emissions Regulation for Intrastate Locomotives
While California cannot regulate interstate locomotives, it has promulgated an emission standard regulation of wholly intrastate locomotives at Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, 2299.
New York’s “Peaker” Rule
In 2019, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation adopted a regulation to limit nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from simple-cycle combustion turbines (referred to as the “Peaker Rul...
New Hampshire’s Renewable Natural Gas Legislation
In June 2022, New Hampshire approved a bill allowing utilities to procure up to 5% of gas supplies from renewable natural gas and make upgrades to their distribution infrastructure to lower emissions....
Report, Regulation for Underground Storage of CO2 Passed by US States
Javedan’s 2011 report provides an overview of state regulation of underground storage through the lens of key issues including liability, pore space ownership, CO2 and mineral rights ownership, and mo...
Hawaii DOT ESPC
The Hawaii Dept. of Transportation completed a $245M contract for deep energy efficiency retrofits, the largest single-state ESPC in the US, with Johnson Controls. The project will target and generate...
Colorado’s Green Rebuilding Policy
In May, Colorado enacted a law to provide finance assistance for rebuilding homes and commercial buildings after a natural disaster with energy efficient heat pumps, energy storage, renewable energy g...
Maine’s Wood Energy Investment Program
Maine’s LD912 establishes a wood energy investment fund and creates the Wood Energy Investment Program within the Efficiency Maine Trust. It requires the trust to use funds from the fund, if there are...
Hawaii’s Soil Sequestration Subsidies
In July 2022, Hawaii passed a law establishing the Hawaii Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Pilot Program. The program will incentivize carbon sequestration activities through incentive contract...
ACEEE Report, Energy Efficiency in Real Estate Listings: A Controlled Experiment
ACEEE’s August 2020 report shows that including home energy efficiency scores in online real estate listings would lead buyers to choose more-efficient homes with lower energy costs. The study provide...
Report, Pollinator-Friendly Solar in Indiana
The EQ Research report, Pollinator-Friendly Solar in Indiana (2020), highlights the benefits of adopting policies that encourage pollinator-friendly practices at solar sites, and includes a model loca...
Vermont RPS
Vermont requires that the states’ retail electricity suppliers obtain 75% of their annual electricity from renewable sources, which includes any size hydroelectric facility, by 2032.
LPDD Model Law: State Healthy Soils Legislation
This model legal document prepared by the LPDD team surveys the chief provisions a state may consider including in “healthy soils” (HS) legislation. It takes a menu approach in providing options for s...
LPDD Model Law: Requiring a Renewable Gas Study
Since states will have different capacities for manufacturing or acquiring renewable gas, before adopting a renewable gas standard, the appropriate agency within a state should first undertake a study...
Virginia’s Urban Tree Planning Legislation
Virginia’s SB 461 requires the Department of Forestry, in coordination with a Technical Advisory Committee composed of stakeholders, to develop a Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan by ...
Massachusetts Natural Gas Transition Proceeding
In June 2020, Massachusetts’ attorney general requested that the State’s DPU commence a proceeding on the future of natural gas in the state. In a petition, the AG called for a two-phase investigation...
US Green Building Council Standards
The US Green Building Council oversees the promulgation of LEED standards and credentialing. They have prepared a guide for advancing local green building policies that addresses how LEED standards fu...
Colorado’s Reduction of Diesel Vehicle Emissions Regulation
Colorado has instituted diesel fleet certification and inspection requirements for vehicles at least two years old. The regulations went into effect in 1998.
LPDD Model Law: State Statute on Updating Fire Codes Periodically
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are one of the most promising technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., trucks and buses). Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles face a numbe...
California’s proposed “Clean Car Discount”
California’s proposed “Clean Car Discount” program (AB493-Ruskin) was designed to impose a fee of up to $2,500 on new, high carbon emitting vehicles (starting with 2011 models), and then rebating the ...
South Carolina’s Solar Habitat Act (2018)
The legislation directs the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, working in conjunction with other state agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations to establish a native vegetation h...
MCLI Model Law – Methane from Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTF)
Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas that is the second biggest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide (CO2). One ton of CH4 emissions has the same global warming potential (GWP) as ap...
Vermont’s HB 529 (2019)
In June 2019, Vermont passed HB 529, which increased public transit funding, offered financial incentives for plug-in electric vehicles, and set a 2021 target to make 75% of purchased or leased vehicl...
Oregon’s defeated cap and trade bill
Oregon’s House Bill 2020 proposed a statewide cap-and-trade program starting in 2021, with a declining allowance budget leading to a 45% reduction in GHG emissions below 1990 levels by 2035. From 2036...
California Order Eliminating Subsidies for Electric Extensions to Mixed-Fuel Construction
In December 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) followed up on a previous ruling eliminating subsidies for natural gas line extensions for all newly constructed mixed-fuel building...
New York’s EERS
New York’s 2019 Climate Mobilization Act established a 2030 goal to increase energy efficiency from 2012 levels by 23%. The Act also incorporated the governor’s previous target of 185 trillion Btus of...
Illinois’ Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act (2018)
Illinois’ Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act (2018) required the Illinois Dept. of Natural resources to create a scorecard with consultation from the University of Illinois. Before an owner of a solar...
Pennsylvania’s Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act
In July 2024, Pennsylvania enacted SB 831, or the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act, into law. The law declares carbon dioxide storage to be in the public interest and provides a regulatory framewo...
Maine’s LD1682
Maine’s LD1682 adds reducing GHG emissions to meet reduction goals and addressing and mitigating disproportionate energy burdens on environmental justice populations, frontline communities, and utilit...
Virginia Community Choice Aggregation
Virginia has permitted CCA since 1999, but no current programs are in operation. In 2003, the state passed legislation to spur the adoption of CCA programs through state-run pilots.
LPDD Model Law: State Green Leases Legislation
Green leasing is an opportunity for owners and tenants to work together in going green. Specifically, a green lease outlines the way in which a building will be occupied, managed, and operated to achi...
American Wind Wildlife Institute reports on turbine wildlife impacts
The American Wind Wildlife Institute was founded in 2008 by leaders from the wind industry and conservation and science organizations with the vision of achieving wind energy’s full conservation poten...
Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act (2022)
In March 2022, both houses of the Maryland legislature passed the Climate Solutions Now Act, which calls for Maryland to reduce GHG emissions by 60% (compared to a 2006 baseline) by 2031 and for the M...
Report, Environmental Justice in the Renewable Energy Transition
Ourka’s 2012 report provides a comparison of variable state definitions of biomass at page 86.
Connecticut Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program
Connecticut’s Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program was established in response to Public Act 15-113, as amended by Public Act 16-116, as a two-year initiative to support the development of SCEFs...
California Air Resources Board’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Program
California Air Resources Board’s light-duty vehicle zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) program, which requires manufacturers meet a ZEV obligation based on a percentage of the manufacturer’s sales, could be ...
Maryland Forest Conservation Act and proposed revisions
Maryland’s Forest Conservation Act was adopted to minimize the loss of Maryland’s forest resources during land developing by making identification and protection of forests and other sensitive areas a...
Legislative Best Practices for Automated Driving systems
The NHTSA has developed technical assistance on Automated Driving Systems, which includes a section on best practices for legislatures.
California’s ZEV Regulation and Other Participating States
California’s ZEV regulation requires automobile companies to produce a certain percentage of ZEVs for sale in California, such as hydrogen fuel cell, batter electric, and hybrid vehicles. The ZEV mand...
California’s Endorsement of a Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty
Through SJR 2, the California legislature made a significant show of public support for the United States to endorse an international Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty. The resolution supports a glo...
New Jersey RPS Sustainable Biomass Requirements
New Jersey’s Renewable Portfolio Standard requires a sustainability determination to qualify biomass among the technologies that will support the generation of renewable energy credits.
California RPS biomass verification requirements
California’s RPS imposes a reporting requirement that applicants submit information on the type and source of biomass used. However, it does not impose further standards for cultivation, collection, o...
Ohio’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard
Ohio Rev. Code §4928.01(34)(c) names plants using “clean coal technology that includes the design capability to control or prevent the emission of carbon dioxide” as eligible alternative energy source...
New York’s Digital Fair Repair Act
In late December, New York enacted the Digital Fair Repair Act, giving citizens the right to fix their phones, tablets, and computers. The Act requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to make ...
Washington’s Clean Buildings Act (2019)
Washington’s Clean Buildings Act (2019) requires the State Commerce Department to set a state energy performance standard target (measured in Energy Use Intensity, or EUI) for each building type by 20...
New Mexico Eminent Domain Rules for Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
In New Mexico, carbon dioxide pipeline project sponsors have eminent domain authority. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 70-3-5 lays out the legislature’s standard. A 1984 Attorney General Opinion (146) suggested tha...
LPDD Model Law: State Workforce Study
This model state law requires state agencies to assess the education, development and training needs for the workforce needed to meet the state’s climate and clean energy goals. The model law is appli...
California’s AB 33
California’s AB 33 (2016) requires the CPUC to evaluate the potential for all types of long-duration bulk energy storage resources, including pumped hydroelectric storage, to help integrate renewable ...
California’s 90% Zero-Carbon Electricity by 2035 Target
Under previous law, California required that eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources supply 100% of all retail sales of electricity to California end-use customers and 100% of el...
Report, Renewable Thermal in State Renewable Portfolio Standards
This 2018 report from the Clean Energy States Alliance provides an overview of how states across the country are incorporating renewable thermal technologies into their RPS programs. It covers technic...
Michigan Resolution to Study DER Integration
Michigan Senate Resolution 0143 (2020) encourages the Michigan Public Service Commission to study reliability, interconnection, and related grid integration issues related to distributed energy resour...
Maine’s LD 1766
Maine’s LD 1766 “An Act To Transform Maine’s Heat Pump Market To Advance Economic Security and Climate Objectives,” establishes the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund, which has the goal...
Maryland Loan Guarantees for Natural Climate Solutions
In 2021, Maryland passed HB 94, creating the Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund. In January 2023, using that fund, Maryland became the first state to approve a loan guarantee to finance “natural climat...
California’s “At Berth” Regulation for Ports
In August 2020, the California Air Resources Board approved a new regulation designed to reduce pollution from ocean-going vessels while docked at California’s busiest ports. The rule builds on CARB’s...
New York performance standards for major electric generating facilities
NY Comp. Codes R. and Regs. Tit. 6 § 251.3 establishes CO2 performance standards for major electric generating facilities, ranging from 925 pounds of CO2/MWh gross electrical output for new and modifi...
Michigan’s Expanded RPS Targets
In November, 2023, Michigan’s legislature approved SB 271, which will increase targets under the state’s renewable portfolio standard. SB 271 requires an electric provider to achieve a renewable energ...
LPDD Model Law: Achieving Regulatory Realignment of Public Utility Policies with Energy and Environmental Goals
One of the obstacles to achieving decarbonization in the electric power sector is that many of the laws and statutes that govern PUCs are antiquated. The absence of statutory requirements to consider ...
New Mexico’s Solar Rights Act
Amendments to New Mexico’s existing Solar Rights Act serve to prohibit cities from passing ordinances or codes and homeowners’ associations from passing covenants that forbid solar installations, with...
Illinois Clean Coal Portfolio Standard
The Illinois Clean Coal Portfolio Standard of 2009 targets CCS project development and deployment. The CCPS provides tax credits for facilities that capture at least 50 percent of their total CO2 emis...
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s Efficient Buildings Fund
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s Efficient Buildings Fund provides attractive, long-term financing to municipalities and quasi-public agencies to finance energy retrofits in public buildings tha...
Report, State Pollinator-Friendly Solar Initiatives
The Clean Energy States Alliance’s 2020 report provides an overview of state efforts to encourage solar PV development in a manner that is beneficial to pollinators.
EDF Report, Aligning Gas Regulation and Climate Goals: A Road Map for State Regulators
States that don’t re-envision the way their gas utility systems run will be challenged to meet their climate targets. To help states avoid that fate, EDF has developed a new guide suggesting ways that...
Delaware Bill Expanding Community Renewables
In September 2021, Delaware enacted a law expanding eligibility for community-based solar photovoltaic systems in the State. The bill allows for multiple types of ownership models to exist and compete...
New York’s Drive Clean Rebate
New York’s Drive Clean Rebate offers a $2,000 rebate for new EV leases or purchases on up to 40 qualifying EV models.
New Jersey Interconnection Standards for Solar and Batteries
New Jersey’s S3308 requires electric public utilities to implement certain improvements to interconnection process for certain grid supply solar facilities and energy storage facilities. The law requi...
Connecticut’s Composting Requirements
Public Act 13-285, An Act Concerning Recycling and Jobs, requires that food wholesalers, manufacturers, grocery stores, and conference centers located within 20 miles of a composting facility must sou...
Vulcan Project
The Vulcan Project quantifies all fossil fuel CO2 emissions for the entire United States at high space- and time-resolution with details on economic sector, fuel, and combustion process. It was create...
California Zero Emissions Truck Requirements
In June 2020, the California Air Resources Board adopted a first-in-the-world rule requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in...
NCSL Report, Modernizing the Electric Grid: State Role and Policy Options
This 2019 report from the National Conference of State Legislatures was designed to assist state lawmakers in their efforts to gain an understanding of the many components of grid modernization. It al...
California CCS protocol under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard
In 2017, the California Air Resources Board issued a concept paper for a regulatory program on carbon capture and storage. In 2018, the Air Resources Board issued a Carbon Capture and Sequestration Pr...
New York’s Proposed ZEV Mandate
New York’s proposed S. 9008 (2020) provides that one hundred percent of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks shall be zero-emissions by two thousand thirty-five, medium-duty and heavy-duty ...
California’s Solar Easements Statute
California. California has adopted a 2011 statute providing for solar easements on otherwise restricted agricultural lands that have “severely adverse soil conditions” or “significantly reduced agricu...
California Ban on New Oil Wells Near Residential
In September 2022, California imposed a statewide buffer zone to separate homes, schools, hospitals and other populated areas from new oil and gas wells. Senate Bill 1137 prohibits the California Geol...
Rhode Island’s Decoupling Law
Senate Bill 2841A decoupled utility profits from utility sales volume to remove disincentives to energy efficiency and demand reduction measures.
New York’s Electric School Bus Mandate
New York’s 2022 state budget bill, S08006, requires all new school bus purchases to be zero-emission by 2027 and that all school buses in operation are electric by 2035.
Utah’s HB 411 (2019)
Utah’s HB 0411 (2019) provides cities with mechanisms to establish and achieve a community goal to source net-100% of electric energy from renewable resources by 2030. Through this legislation, cities...
New York’s Clean Deliveries Act
New York’s S2127C (2024) directs the state to review emissions related to large warehouses and require warehouse operators to choose from an array of actions to minimize pollution. The legislation als...
Utah Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit
Qualified taxpayers are eligible for a tax credit for the purchase of a qualified heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicle. Qualifying fuels include natural gas, electricity, and hydrogen. Each qualified h...
Colorado Clean Heat Legislation
This law requires each Gas Distribution Utility (GDU) to file a clean heat plan with the PUC. A plan must demonstrate how the GDU will use clean heat resources to meet clean heat targets established b...
Oregon’s Woody Biomass Conversion Program
Passed in August 2023, Oregon’s HB 3409 Section 30 directs the College of Forestry at Oregon State University to develop methods and data to establish clean fuels pathways for low carbon fuels derived...
Massachusetts Requirements to Purchase Hybrid or Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 7, Section 9A requires that the state purchase hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles to the maximum extent feasible, at a rate of not less than 5 per cent annually for...
Illinois RPS Clean Coal Carveout
20 Ill. Comp. Stat. 3855/1-75(d)(1) requires electric utilities to procure at least 5% of their total energy supply from “clean coal” facilities. 20 Ill. Comp. Stat. 3855/1-10 defines clean coal facil...
Hawaii’s SB 644
Hawaii’s SB 644 (2009) requires solar water-heating (SWH) systems to be installed on all single-family new home construction, with a few exceptions. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission was asked to...
Report: Rethinking Manure Biogas: Policy Considerations to Promote Equity and Protect the Climate and Environment
This August 2022 report from the Environmental Justice Clinic at the Vermont Law and Graduate School dives deep into the existing policies incentivizing manure biogas operations, the environmental jus...
Massachusetts Proposed Act Driving Climate Policy Forward
In March, 2022, the Massachusetts Senate unveiled a sweeping climate bill aimed at helping the state meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, which had been previously stipulated in 20...
Vermont PACE program
Vermont authorized PACE financing in 2009 with House Bill 446. There is currently no program operating.
Illinois’ Climate Hubs Legislation
In May 2022, Illinois passed legislation establishing a grant program for Climate Works Hubs. These Hubs shall recruit, prescreen, and provide preapprenticeship training related to opportunities and c...
Colorado Adopts Advanced Clean Trucks and NOx Rules
In April 2023, Colorado adopted Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Low-Nitrogen Oxides (Low-NOx) rules, adding their name to the list of states following California’s model. Under the ACT rules, beginnin...
Delaware’s Solar Ready Buildings Law
Delaware’s HB 402, signed in September 2024, requires new schools and state buildings over 50,000 square feet to meet certain requirements to ensure that the building’s roof is able to support solar e...
Colorado’s Transportation Planning Emissions Reductions Requirements
At the Colorado’s transportation commission’s December 2021 meeting, 10 out of the 11 commissioners in attendance approved a new rule requiring the state’s Department of Transportation to direct its d...
California ETS Border Carbon Adjustment
California’s emissions trading system requires carbon border adjustments for imports of electricity from jurisdictions without a carbon trading framework. First deliverers of imported electricity are ...
Prohibiting Ratepayer Funds for Utility Lobbying Legislation Tracker
The Energy and Policy Institute has launched a tracker covering introduced and passed legislation aiming to prohibit ratepayer funds from being used to support utility lobbying efforts. At the time of...
Colorado’s HB 1052
This April 2021 legislation approved the inclusion of pumped hydroelectric energy generation in the definition of “eligible energy resources” for purposes of meeting Colorado’s renewable energy standa...
Institute for Market Transformation
The Institute for Market Transformation is a Washington, DC think tank that works to catalyze widespread and sustained demand for high-performing buildings. They work in partnership with businesses, p...
Florida Rules on Recovering Prudent Nuclear Costs
Florida Statutes § 366.93 provides for recovery of costs prudently incurred in the siting, design, licensing, and construction of new nuclear power plants. Under this authority, the PSC promulgated Ru...
Massachusetts’ Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind
In August 2022, Massachusetts enacted an “Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind,” which builds on 2019 legislation and helps clarify how the state will meet its climate targets. Key provisions of...
New Mexico’s Renewable Energy Transmission Authority Act
New Mexico’s Renewable Energy Transmission Authority Act (2007) directed the state’s Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to participate in regional transmission forums and grants it the power of e...
ACEEE Report, Mandating Building Performance Standards
ACEEE’s 2020 report, Mandatory Building Performance Standards: A Key Policy for Achieving Climate Goals, makes the argument that policymakers need to adopt building performance standards to compel ene...
Florida Proposed Floating Solar Arrays Legislation
Both houses on Florida have passed versions of a piece of legislation triggering work on plans to open many water bodies throughout the state to floating solar energy arrays. The legislation would dir...
Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20
Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20 calls for carbon neutral operations in new state buildings permitted after 2022, compliance with USDOE’s Zero Energy Ready standard on new residential construction by 20...
Oregon’s Commercial Building Energy Performance Standard
As part of Oregon’s 2023 legislative climate package, the state advanced a commercial building energy performance standard. The standard would break the commercial sector down into two tiers with vari...
North Carolina Forest Development Act
A voluntary cost sharing program to “provide financial assistance to eligible landowners to increase the productivity of the privately-owned forests of the State.” Along with Legislative appropriation...
Montana prohibition on acquiring coal plants without CCS
Montana prohibits the commission from approving an application for the acquisition of an equity interest or lease in a facility or equipment used to generate electricity that is primarily fueled by co...
Washington State Legislation on EV charging in Common Interest Developments
This 2022 legislation prohibits homeowner and unit owners’ associations from unreasonably restricting the installation or use of electric vehicle charging stations.
New Jersey Community Solar Energy Pilot
New Jersey’s A3723/S2314 (2018) mandates the creation of the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities adopted rules establishing the Community Solar Energy Pilot ...
NY’s proposed Carbon Farming Act (2019)
New York’s proposed Carbon Farming Act (A2718) would establish a tax credit for farmers who maximize carbon sequestration potential through a “carbon farming” land management strategy; and direct DEC ...
Maine’s Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund and Volkswagon Rebate Fund
Maine’s LD 614 established the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund, a non-lapsing fund administered by trust to provide up to $2,500 in rebates for the purchase on an EV. This law complements a $5.1 million ...
Oregon legislation covering efficiency for certain appliances
In 2022, Oregon passed this legislation providing energy and water efficiency standards for a variety of products that are not federally regulated, including battery chargers, dishwashers, television ...
Illinois’ SB 2048 (2021)
In September 2021, the Illinois legislature passed a bill making the state the 11th in the nation, and first in the Midwest, to target 100% renewable energy by a date certain. The bill sets a 2050 dea...
Connecticut’s 2040 Carbon-Free Electric Legislation
In April, 2022, Connecticut lawmakers voted to officially set a target of 2040 for having a carbon-free electricity supply. The legislation, which codifies an executive order issued in 2019 by Democra...
Michigan Qualified Forest Program
Michigan’s Qualified Forest Program is a program under which a landowner may execute a Qualified Forest Affidavit on land that qualifies to be enrolled. By executing and recording the Affidavit, the l...
Maryland’s Bi-Directional Charging Law
Maryland’s Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification Act (“DRIVE Act”) creates a bidirectional EV charging program. The program requires the Public Service Commission to put forwar...
New Mexico Methane Venting and Flaring Rules
In March 2020, New Mexico banned routine venting and flaring of methane from oil and gas production facilities. The first phase of implementation will include data collection and reporting to identify...
Maryland’s Solar Facilities Pollinator-Friendly Designation Act
Maryland’s SB 1158 (2017) charges the Maryland Department of Natural Resources with creating a pollinator friendly designation program,promulgating regulations and a scorecard. The scorecard must be r...
New Hampshire Ban on Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling
New Hampshire’s SB 76 (2019) bans oil and gas drilling off the state’s 18-mile coast. The law also bans development of onshore oil and gas support facilities.
NY Diesel Vehicle Procurement Rules
The New York Diesel Emissions Reduction Act requires all heavy-duty diesel vehicles owned by state agencies, authorities and contractors be retrofitted or replaced to decrease diesel emissions.
Oregon’s Solar Highway Program
Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT) has supported the development of two highway solar projects since 2008. These projects have been supported by policies and strategies adopted in the Oregon...
Report, Mind the Regulatory Gap: How to Enhance Local Transmission Oversight
This November 2024 report from RMI addresses the regulatory gap afflicting smaller transmission projects, which are often approved without coordinating in any regional transmission process, resulting ...
Minnesota HF 164
This bill changes Minnesota’s current energy savings goal from 1.5% of annual retail energy sales of electricity and natural gas to 2.5%. These energy savings may be achieved through multiple measures...
Massachusetts’ proposed H2810
Massachusetts’ proposed H2810 puts a price on carbon pollution and invests 30% of all revenue ($400–600 million per year) in local clean transportation, resiliency, and renewable energy projects. A Cl...
Oregon Clean Fuels Program
Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program is a state-level standard designed to shift transportation fuels away from high-carbon petroleum. The 2009 Oregon Legislature passed HB 2186 authorizing the Oregon Environ...
Massachusetts Climate Careers Fund
In May 2024, Massachusetts announced its Climate Careers Fund, which will provide no-interest loans to cover costs for tuition and living expenses for people enrolled in training and workforce program...
New York Community Choice Aggregation
CCA in New York was authorized through the Public Service Commission in 2016.
Sierra Club Report, Building Electrification Action Plan for Climate Leaders
This 2019 action plan from the Sierra Club outlines the technical challenges and benefits of building electrification, particularly in California. It provides decision-makers and staff in state and lo...
Report, Forest Carbon Solutions for Mitigating Climate Change
This 2015 report from the Forest Climate Working Group provides a toolkit for state governments looking to use forests and forest products as a climate mitigation strategy while also advancing other e...
Missouri rules for repair of grade 3 pipeline leaks
Maine is among a minority of states that have passed required timelines for repairing even pipeline leaks deemed “nonhazardous” (Grade 3). Missouri requires that pipeline operators repair Grade 3 leak...
Minnesota’s Community Energy Transition Grants
Minnesota’s HF 1842 (2020) established the Community Energy Transition Grants program, a transition grant program for communities housing a coal, nuclear, or natural gas facility that is scheduled for...
New Mexico Tax Incentives for CCS
NM Stat. Ann. 7-2-18.25 provides an advanced energy tax credit for coal facilities that capture and sequester or control CO2 emissions so that no more than one thousand one hundred pounds per megawatt...
DOE report, Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments
Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments is a comprehensive resource DOE created to assist local governments and stakeholders in designing and implementing a strategic local solar ...
New York EO 88
New York’s Executive Order 88 requires that public buildings of more than 20,000 sf benchmark their energy consumption annually. Buildings that receive low scores are required to undergo ASHRAE Level ...
Minnesota’s “buy the farm” statute
Minnesota is the only state in the union with a “buy the farm” statute (1977 Minn. Stat. § 216E.12 Sub. 4), which allows eligible landowners to select to have the utility purchase the entire property ...
Colorado’s HB-19-1261
Colorado’s HB-19-1261 grants the Public Utilities Commission wide discretion in pursuing a regulatory agenda to meet the state’s goals of reducing GHG emissions by at least 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030, a...
New Jersey’s Offshore Oil Drilling Ban
New Jersey banned offshore oil drilling in 2018 with the “Shore Tourism and Ocean Protection from Offshore Oil and Gas Act.” Though New Jersey has no control over drilling in federal waters, by blocki...
Sabin Center’s Comparative Analysis of 2024 Climate Superfund Legislation
This March 2024 blog from the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law analyzes four recent climate superfund legislative proposals, compares them, and suggests legal challenges to their implementation.
New Hampshire RPS
New Hampshire’s SB 218, effective June 2012, created a Thermal Subclass in the state RPS, setting targets and requiring NHPUC to adopt procedures for the metering, verification, and reporting of usefu...
Idaho Forest Practices Act
The Idaho Forest Practices Act promotes active forest management and identifies standards for logging, road building, reforestation, streamside protection and other forest practices. The Dept. of Land...
Michigan’s Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act
Michigan’s 2008 Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act called for the mapping of “Wind Energy Resource Zones” where transmission lines would be subject to an expedited siting process.
New Jersey Ban on Single-Use Plastic and Paper Bags
In Nov. 2020, New Jersey adopted S864, which prohibits the use of single-use plastic and paper bags in all stores and food service businesses statewide. Under the law, starting May 2022, both plastic ...
Report, States Energy Storage Policy
This report identifies and summarizes existing trends in state energy storage policy in support of decarbonization, and contrasts these trends with the preferences of energy storage development firms,...
Pennsylvania’s Solar for Schools Program
In July, Pennsylvania passed HB 1032, establishing the Solar for Schools Program. This program will cover the costs of the purchase and installation of solar equipment, permit fees, energy storage, ut...
Minnesota’s Pollinator-Friendly Solar Act
The Pollinator Friendly Solar Act establishes native vegetation and habitat management practices for solar developers and local governments alike to maximize habitat creation for birds, pollinators, a...
NY’s Environmental Equity Legislation Package 2021
In March 2021, the NY Senate approved a broad array of environmental equity legislation aimed at protecting frontline communities from fossil fuel pollution. This legislative package requires environm...
Massachusetts Commercial Organic Waste Ban
In 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection amended regulations on solid waste disposal by adding “commercial organic material” to a list of several materials already barred from...
NREL report: State Considerations for Designing Community Solar Policy
The National Renewable Energy Lab published a 2018 report on State Considerations for Designing Community Solar Policy analyzing the impacts of program caps, project size caps, subscriber location req...
North Carolina’s Proposed Advanced Clean Trucks Program
In October 2022, North Carolina’s governor signed an Executive Order tasking the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to propose an Advanced Clean Trucks Program to the Environmental Man...
Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard
Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard includes a tier for useful thermal energy from the production of electricity, essentially qualifying CHP. It also includes demand-side management r...
EmPower Maryland
EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s energy efficiency program, requires utilities to achieve energy savings reductions equivalent to two percent of sales per year for the 2020-2030 program cycle based on 20...
Maine’s Wind Energy Act
Maine. Maine’s Wind Energy Act notes that “it is in the public interest to reduce the potential for controversy regarding siting of grid-scale wind energy development by expediting development,” and e...
New Mexico’s Climate Careers Executive Order
New Mexico’s EO 2024-152 directs almost a dozen agencies to jointly create an infrastructure and climate-ready workforce development and training plan, including education programs for residents as yo...
ACEEE Primer, On-Bill Energy Efficiency
ACEEE breaks down the differences between on-bill financing, on-bill repayment, tariffed on-bill programs, and other nuances between various on-bill programs for energy efficiency.
Report, Building Better Building Performance Standards
This 2022 comment from the Guarini Center on the Environment, Energy, and Land Use offers recommendations regarding the choice of metrics in Building Energy Performance Standards. Its recommendations ...
Vermont Clean Heat Standard Legislation
In March, 2023, the Vermont Senate approved landmark legislation to create a Clean Heat Standard. The bill, S05 (2023), set up a system designed to fund the transition to “clean heat measures,” such a...
Nevada AB 383 (2021)
In June 2021, Nevada’s Governor signed this bill requiring the Director of the Office of Energy to adopt regulations establishing minimum standards of energy efficiency for certain appliances. Covered...
West Virginia Ends Nuclear Ban
In February 2022, West Virginia passed legislation eliminating the state’s ban on nuclear power plants. The legislation repeals two clauses in Chapter 16 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931: Article 27...
Maryland Proposed Methane Leak Regulations
In August 2020, The Maryland Dept. of Environment proposed regulations to reduce methane emissions from energy infrastructure and operations. The proposed regulation will establish requirements to red...
Virginia Offshore Drilling Ban
Virginia’s HB 706 (2020) prohibits the granting of a lease, easement, or permit on the beds of the coastal waters of the Commonwealth that would allow any infrastructure for conveying to shore oil or ...
Georgia Forest Land Protection Act
In Georgia, private land used for “good faith subsistence or commercial production of trees, timber or other wood and wood fiber products” is exempt from property taxes. Eligible property may have sec...
New York’s Zero Emissions Trucks Regulation
In September 2021, the NYSDEC released a proposed regulation that would significantly reduce air pollution from trucks. If adopted, the regulation would accelerate zero-emission truck sales, resulting...
LPDD Model Law: State Natural Resources Trust Law
This Model Natural Resource Trust Law aims to provide states a tool to improve and expand their forests and natural areas. Modeled after Oregon’s Forest Resource Trust (See Or. Rev. Stat. § 526.700, e...
Minneapolis Wind and Solar Ordinances
Minneapolis codified separate ordinances (2007) to govern wind and solar energy systems in all districts. These ordinances address height, encroachment and setbacks, and aesthetic requirements, and pe...
LPDD Model Law: Eliminating As-Of-Right Status of Polluting Facilities in Environmental Justice Areas
This model law addresses the issue of grandfathered approval for existing polluting facilities, which can evade stringent regulatory standards and technological improvements, and are often located in ...
NY Wind Energy Guide: Birds and Bats
The New York State Energy Resource and Development Authority has produced a report on the impacts and regulation surrounding birds and bats takings from wind energy. It provides a brief overview of re...
California PATHWAYS Project
In early 2014, the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and the California Independent System Operator engaged E3 to evaluate the feasi...
Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Grid Legislation
Massachusetts’ S.2967, An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity, and Protecting Ratepayers, reforms the siting and permitting of clean energy facilities, as well as the gas distribution ...
Connecticut’s Public Law 17-3
Connecticut’s Public Law 17-3 required the state to conduct an appraisal of nuclear power-generating facilities and solicit bids for zero-carbon electricity-generating resources. The two nuclear power...
California Low Carbon Fuel Standard
California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard is the first state-level standard designed to shift transportation fuels away from high-carbon petroleum. It establishes separate standards for gasoline and diese...
NCSL report, Electric Transmission Planning: A Primer for State Legislatures
State policymakers can play a vital role in ensuring the necessary policies are in place to enable the reliable operation of the electric grid now and in the future. While transmission projects are mo...
Virginia’s Nuclear Planning Legislation
Virginia’s HB 1313 requires the state to develop a develop a strategic plan for nuclear energy, which may include the promotion of new technologies and opportunities for innovation, including advanced...
Connecticut’s Cumulative Impacts Permitting Legislation
Connecticut’s SB 47 gives the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the state’s Siting Council the ability to deny a permit for new facilities based on the “cumulative impact” of envir...
Oregon’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
Oregon’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers a rebate to driver’s who purchase or lease electric vehicles, up to $2,500, or potentially $5,000 for low and moderate income Oregonians. The program is fu...
Oregon’s Existing Water Rights Expedited Process
Oregon’s H.B. 2785 encourages micro and small hydropower development by alleviating some of the costs associated with hydropower permitting. H.B. 2785 established an expedited water rights review proc...
Minnesota Fossil Phaseout by 2040 Legislation
In February, Minnesota’s Legislature approved a bill requiring utilities in the state to provide electricity from 100% carbon-free sources by 2040. The bill also calls for utilities to generate at lea...
Delaware State Nutrient Management Law
The Delaware State Nutrient Management Law requires farmers prepare nutrient management plans, which must limit nitrogen application to the expected yield of the specific crop.
Massachusetts’ Building Energy Usage Disclosure
A lesser-known provision of the Massachusetts legislature’s 2022 An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind created M.G.L. ch.25A §20, which requires the reporting of energy usage data for building...
Forest Certification As It Contributes to Sustainable Forestry
The National Association of State Foresters published a 2013 policy statement promoting the auditing and third-party sustainability certification of state forests.
Washington’s Cap-and-Trade Regulation
In October 2022, the Washington State Dept. of Ecology finalized greenhouse cap-and-trade program regulations. The regulations were promulgated in furtherance of the state’s 2021 Climate Commitment Ac...
New Jersey rules for electric/thermal distribution
New Jersey’ Rev. Stat. §48.3-77.1 permits ownership of distribution wires by local suppliers to service customers to whom they also deliver thermal energy services.
Minnesota SB 2030 Energy Standard
For all new construction and renovation projects that receive general obligation bond funding from the state of Minnesota, the SB 2030 Energy Standard ratchets down the permissible energy use over tim...
Maine’s Legislation Barring Ratepayer Funds for Political Purposes
Maine’s LD 325 prohibits investor-owned utilities from charging customers for costs related to political activities.
C2ES Rules for Carbon Transport and Storage Database
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions maintains a map-based database cataloging state level rules on carbon transport and storage.
Virginia proposed RGGI regulation
Pursuant to Executive Directive 11 (2017), a proposed ‘Regulation for Emissions Trading’ was prepared by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and approved by the Virginia State Air Po...
New York’s Appliance and Building Efficiency Standards
In May 2022, New York passed S9405, creating new appliance efficiency standards for products that are not federally regulated. It calls for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority...
Texas Utilities Code § 39.107(b)
According to Texas Utilities Code § 39.107(b), all data belongs to the customer. Consumers in Texas can access their energy usage data on the Smart Meter Texas portal. Usage information must be made a...
California Community Solar Law (2022)
In September 2022, California enacted a new community solar law designed to avoid the pitfalls that past legislative attempts on this issue had fallen into. AB 2316 adds a new focus on grid reliabilit...
Colorado Order on Using Carbon Costs in Resource Plans
Colorado Rev. Stat. § 40-2-123(1)(b) allows the Colorado Public Utility Commission to consider the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions. The statute says that “[t]he commission may give considerat...
New York’s Divestment of the Common Retirement Fund from Fossil Fuels
New York’s Decarbonization Advisory Panel developed an April 2019 report advising the State’s Common Retirement Fund how to proceed in considering its fossil-fuel exposed investments going forward. Th...
Multistate Appliance Standards Collaborative
The Multistate Appliance Standards Collaborative unites several states that have adopted several similar appliance standards. Many of the standards are adopted directly from the California State Appli...
Oregon Senate Bill 978
Senate Bill 978 created an open investigation into multiple aspects of the regulatory structure, including rate design, revenue regulation, grid modernization, integrated resource planning, and others...
Maryland’s 2019’s Clean Energy Jobs Act
With 2019’s Clean Energy Jobs Act, Maryland’s RPS upped the carve-out requirement specifically for solar production, requiring that a total of 14.5% of retail electricity sales come from solar resourc...
Colorado Conservation Easement Tax Credit
Colorado has offered a state income tax credit for the donation of conservation easements since 2000. Federal requirements for charitable contributions are used to determine eligibility for the state ...
Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act
The Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act, signed in May 2024, consolidates and reforms Minnesota’s review and permitting process for energy generation, storage, and transmission projects. Br...
Vermont’s H. 410 (2018)
In May 2018, Vermont passed H410 (Act 139) setting energy and water efficiency standards for 16 products not covered at the federal level. By 2025, these standards are expected to save consumers 435 m...
Consortium for Energy Efficiency Annual Industry Report
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency has prepares an annual industry report on US and Canadian program industry energy efficiency and demand response budgets, expenditures, and savings, including an a...
LPDD Memorandum on State “Public Utility” Definitions
This memorandum sets forth the statutory definitions of “public utility” currently in use in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The document is designed to assist legislators and others as th...
ACEEE Report, How Utility Energy Efficiency Programs Can Use New Federal Funding
The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) together provide approximately $50 billion for energy efficiency implementation. The programs funded by these laws can...
ACEEE Report, State Policies and Rules to Enable Beneficial Electrification in Buildings through Fuel Switching
ACEEE’s 2020 report reviews state-level efforts promoting electrification of space and water heating as a building decarbonization tool. Electrification has the potential to reduce buildings-sector em...
Tennessee HOV Smart Pass program
The Tennessee HOV Smart Pass program allows eligible hybrid and electric vehicles to use HOV lanes if they apply for and display a decal.
Report, Equitable Community Solar: Policy and Program Guidance for Community Solar Programs that Promote Racial and Economic Equity
This 2020 report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance provides guidance for creating community solar programs that promote racial and economic equity. It defines what makes a community solar pro...
Oregon Forest Management Plan Guidelines and Template
Oregon State University provides resources for landowners and foresters on forest management, including guidelines on the creation of forest management plans, and templates.
Virginia Bill on Natural Gas Replacement
In April 2022, both houses of the Virginia legislature passed legislation that allows natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources — define...
EPA’s Clean Energy Finance Tool
EPA’s Clean Energy Finance Tool is an Excel Tool designed to help municipalities and states make informed choices about the best program(s) for their jurisdictions from among the following options: re...
LPDD Model Law: Carbon-Neutral Bioenergy Acquisition Law
As states consider carbon neutrality plans, the emissions profile of biomass as a resource in the statewide energy portfolio must be considered. A number of peer reviewed studies have maintained that ...
California’s Automotive Refrigerant Rules
California adopted regulations in 2009 to reduce emissions from DIY mobile A/C units in cars and pickup trucks, and also included a deposit and recycling program to ensure proper disposal of used refr...
Colorado All-Electric or Fuel Cell Heavy-Duty Truck Tax Credit
Colorado allows a tax credit up to $20,000 for the purchase of an all-electric or fuel cell heavy-duty truck. The credit declines over time and expires after 2021. ( Rev. Stat. 39-22-516.8)
NY Energy Storage Target
In 2018, the New York Dept. of Public Service issued an Energy Storage Roadmap calling for an energy storage goal of 1.5 GW by 2025. In January 2018, the Public Service Commission issued an Order esta...
New Hampshire’s Group Net Metering program
New Hampshire’s Group Net Metering program (2013) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, non-utility owned DG system up to 1 MW, using solar, wind, or certain other renewables defined by l...
New Mexico’s Advanced Clean Cars and Trucks Rule
In November, New Mexico joined the wave of states approving a version of California’s Advanced Clean Cars rule. The rule calls for 43% of new cars and light-duty trucks delivered to New Mexico to be e...
Massachusetts’ Authorization of Utility EV-Related investments
H4781 (2017) authorizes electric utilities to propose EV-related investments to the state’s Department of Public Utilities, and establishes the test that must be used to review any proposed investment...
California’s Bidirectional EV Charging Law
In August, 2024, the California Legislature approved a bill that gives state regulators the authority to implement a first-in-the-nation requirement to make electric vehicles capable of powering homes...
Oregon’s Path to Net Zero Program
Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero is a program to support the adoption of net zero energy commercial buildings. Currently, the program includes early design assistance (a project kickoff meeti...
California Emissions Trading Scheme
California’s cap-and-trade program covers nitrous oxide emissions from power plants, nitric acid facilities, and transportation fuels. If these facilities generation 25,000 tons of CO2-e or more per y...
California GHG emissions standards
California Cal. Pub. Util. Code §8341 effectively requires the use of CCS at new coal plants by means of an emissions standard no higher than the rate of emissions of greenhouse gases for combined-cyc...
Virginia Land Preservation Tax Credit
Virginia allows an income tax credit for 40 percent of the value of donated land or conservation easements. Taxpayers may use up to $20,000 per year through 2020 and $50,000 per year in subsequent tax...
Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act (2020)
Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. Emissions would need to be 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below by...
New York’s Crypto Mining Moratorium
In June 2022, New York passed a crypto mining moratorium. A7389C establishes a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining operations that use proof-of-work authentication methods to validate blockchain trans...
Oregon Forest Resource Trust
Oregon’s forest resource trust provides financial and technical assistance to qualified private and local government owners to plant trees and improve management of forestlands for timber production a...
California PACE Loan Loss Reserve
California operates a loan loss reserve for PACE loans generated in-state. The PACE Loss Reserve Program’s goal is to increase availability of residential PACE financing by making first mortgage lende...
Alaska’s HB 374
HB 374, signed into law in 2018, enables utilities to offer customers on-bill financing agreements to finance measures such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage devices. Also eli...
New York Energy Law 16-102
New York has codified a list of product efficiency standards outside the federal purview directly into statute at NY Energy Law 16-102.
EE4All report, Equitable Building Electrification
The Equitable Building Electrification Framework report explains the steps that California must take to ensure that electrification helps close the clean energy gap and provides relief to millions of ...
Connecticut Public Act 21-53
In June 2021, Connecticut passed legislation establishing a goal of deploying 1,000 MW of energy storage by the end of 2030, making Connecticut the eighth state to set an energy storage target. Under ...
New York’s Climate Resilient Farming Program
New York’s Climate Resilient Farming Program provides grant funds for projects that mitigate the impact of agriculture on climate change for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon sequestration...
California’s SB 1368
California’s SB 1368 (2007) prohibited any new long-term investment by a California load-serving entity in a generating facility with smokestack emissions exceeding a level to be jointly determined by...
New Jersey’s Proposed Warehouse and Port Pollution Reduction Act
This bill, introduced in July 2024 in both houses of the New Jersey state legislature, would force owners of warehouses larger than 50,000 square feet to reduce emissions that enter the atmosphere and...
IREC Shared Renewables Resources
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council hosts a variety of resources related to shared renewables, including Model Rules for Shared Renewable Energy Programs, a National Shared Renewables Energy Score...
Wyoming special revenue account for CCS maintenance
Wyoming has established an industry-funded trust fund for measurement, monitoring, and verification of CCS injection sites after site closure.
Rhode Island’s Proposed Solar Mandate on New Buildings
This proposed Rhode Island legislation would require all new single-family dwellings in the state to have a solar energy system large enough to meet at least 80% of the dwelling’s estimated annual ave...
Hawaii’s Coal Ban (2020)
Senate Bill 2629 (2020) bans coal burning in Hawaii by 2022, which coincides with the date AES Hawaii is expected to shutter Hawaii’s last coal-burning plant. Hawaii’s only coal-burning power station ...
Colorado’s Investigation of Performance-Based Ratemaking Proceeding
On December 5, 2019, the Public Utilities Commission of Colorado opened the Investigation of Performance-Based Ratemaking Proceeding (19M-0661EG) in order to gather information and explore performance...
FAO factsheet, Food Wastage Footprint and Climate Change
The FAO’s brief report surveys the carbon footprint of food waste, the carbon intensities of different food types, and food waste reduction scenarios.
New Mexico’s Solar Rights Act
New Mexico’s 1977 Solar Rights Act employs a prior appropriation regime and address shading from both human obstructions and from vegetation.
Vermont’s Energy Loan Guarantee Program
The Energy Loan Guarantee Program, created by Act 87 in 2013, provides loan guarantees to financial institutions for loans made to businesses for energy efficiency improvements. It guarantees a maximu...
LPDD Model Law: Designating State Lead Agency for Biogas Permitting
To support the increased production of biogas and the delivery to end users, the LPDD text identifies the need for changes in the regulatory framework over biogas production and delivery facilities. A...
Delaware River Basin Commission Fracking Ban
In February 2021, the Delaware River Basin Commission, citing threats to drinking water for 13 million people, voted to ban fracking in the 13,500-square mile region. Representatives of Delaware, New ...
C2ES Decoupling Policies Database
C2ES maintains a state-by-state database of decoupling policies, containing a general subject matter overview, brief descriptions of state policies, and links to relevant documentation.
Washington’s Energy Code Incentives for Efficient Products
Rarely, a state has established a building code that effectively encourages builders to install products that exceed the efficiency of federal standards. This requires the code be designed to avoid pr...
Massachusetts’ Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Climate Policy (2021)
In January 2021, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed S.2995, which sets sweeping climate policy for the state, including greenhouse gas reduction targets of 50 percent by 2030, 75 percent by 20...
California’s Bring-Your-Own Reusable Food and Beverage Containers Law
California’s AB 619 (2019) ends the requirement that temporary food facilities at community events provide single-use foodware and makes clear for restaurants that they may serve food and beverages in...
California CLEEN Center
In 2014, California Green Bank legislation was introduced by Senator Kevin De Leon, and led to Governor Brown’s creation of the new California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs (CLEEN) Center...
Vermont Feebate Study
This 2019 study, commissioned by the Vermont legislature, conducts a literature review of different feebate programs around the world, and offers five different alternative program structures for a po...
AFFORD Tool
The AFFORD tool (America’s Federal Funding Opportunities and Resources for Decarbonization) helps state, local, non-profit, and community organizations identify eligible funding, tax credits, and othe...
Massachusetts laws on solar easements and solar access rights
Massachusetts General Laws 187-1A provides conditions for creating a solar easement. Massachusetts General Laws 40A-9B on solar access rights provides municipal governments with authority and guidance...
New York’s Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefits Act
New York’s Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefits Act, passed as part of the State’s 2021 Budget, establishes an Office of Renewable Energy Siting, which will consolidate the envir...
New Mexico EV Tax Credit
Under HB217 (2020), the New Mexico legislature enacted an electric vehicle tax credit alongside new plug-in vehicle registration fees.
Massachusetts’ Pathways to Zero Net Energy Program
The Pathways to Zero Net Energy Program is a $3.5 million Department of Energy Resources (DOER) initiative to spur the development of Zero Net Energy Buildings in Massachusetts. $3.0M is being used to...
New Jersey’s Executive Order on 100% Clean Energy by 2035
In February 2023, the governor of New Jersey signed an Executive Order tasking the Board of Public Utilities with the development of an Energy Master Plan that would advance clean energy market mechan...
Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP)
ASAP organizes the collective effort of efficiency proponents including efficiency, consumer, and environmental groups; utility companies; state government agencies; and others. Working together, the ...
Colorado Partially Adopts California Clean Car Standard
In October, 2023, Colorado renewed and expanded its mandate for electric vehicles to take over the state new car market in coming years, passing a requirement for EVs to make up 82% of dealer lots by ...
Wyoming Rules on Carbon Injections
In 2008, HB 89 clarified that the ownership of the pore space is vested in the owners of the surface land. Surface owner may sever ownership of pore space. In 2009, HB 80 established a process for uni...
Washington State’s Zero Energy Code Roadmap
Washington State’s Zero Energy Code Roadmap (2015), prepared by the New Buildings Institute, intends to guide the process of revising the Washington State Energy Code through its revision cycles leadi...
MIT Report, The Future of the Electric Grid
MIT’s 2020 study, The Future of the Electric Grid, aims to provide a comprehensive, objective portrait of the U.S. electric grid and the challenges and opportunities it is likely to face over the next...
Maryland Fracking Ban
In 2017, Maryland became the first state with proven gas reserves to pass a law banning fracking.
New Hampshire’s HB 715 (2020)
House Bill 715 requires New Hampshire’s Public Utilities Commission to look into ways to fairly compensate energy storage projects based on the savings those projects can bring to utility companies. T...
Report, Toward Tradeable Building Performance Standards
Toward Tradeable Building Performance Standards offers a qualified defense of emissions trading programs in general, and suggests that tradeable credits in Building Energy Performance Standard program...
Washington Requirements to Lower Vehicle Miles Traveled
Washington law (at Wash. Rev. Code 47.01.078) requires the state transportation department to develop strategies to lower per capita VMT. Another provision (at Wash. Rev. Code 47.01.440) calls on the ...
Oklahoma Rules on Carbon Injections
In 2009, SB 610 authorized the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to regulate CO2 injection for storage in oil, gas, coal-bed methane, and mineral brine reservoirs. The bill provides exclusive jurisdicti...
California EO B-52-18
California EO B-52-18 was issued to support the state’s resilience to wildfire and other climate impacts, address extensive tree mortality, increase forests’ capacity for carbon capture, and improve f...
California New Gas Heater Ban
In September 2022, the California Air Resources Board voted to ban the sale of new natural gas furnaces and heaters by 2030. Homes will be required to install zero-emissions alternatives, like electri...
Report, Maine Hydropower Study
The Maine Hydropower Study, a 2015 resource study focused on conventional small hydropower, identified 110 MW through efficiency upgrades at existing hydropower facilities and non-powered dams within ...
California’s Grid Enhancing Technologies Study Legislation
“Grid Enhancing Technologies” refers to a bundle of technologies that can help increase the capacity of the grid faster and without building new lines. By increasing the capacity of existing lines, th...
Michigan’s Farmland Open Space Preservation Program
Michigan’s Farmland Open Space Preservation Program allows landowners to enter into a developmental rights agreement with the State, under which they can receive certain tax benefits and not be subjec...
Delaware’s Subsidies for EV Charging Equipment
This Act requires the Director of the Sustainable Energy Utility to administer a program to provide financial assistance to Delaware residents for the cost of purchase and installation of electric veh...
Maryland SB 137 (2021)
Beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, this bill disallows the Maryland Transit Administration from entering into a contract to purchase any buses for its transit bus fleet that are not zero-emission bus...
South Carolina’s EV Charging at State Rest Areas
H4732 (2019) requires the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Department of Transportation to undertake certain actions to facilitate the charging of electric vehicles at all state wel...
Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
This 900-page energy and climate bill, passed in September 2021, covers a variety of subject areas, listed below: On electricity: The bill raises the renewable portfolio standard to require 40 percent...
Utah’s Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program
Under Utah’s Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program, groups can apply for state funding for electric vehicle charging stations. The state will disperse nearly $5 million total ...
Arizona Testing Requirements for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Arizona approved emissions testing requirements for HDVs as a method for demonstrating SIP compliance in 1997.
Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20
Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20 calls for high performance energy use targets in remodels of all existing state buildings, a ten year plan to maximize energy efficiency in all affordable housing stock,...
Hawaii’s Rebates for Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure
In July 2022, Hawaii adopted SB 2570, providing incentives for hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Under the new law, the public utilities commission will administer a zero-emission vehicle fueling sys...
Maine’s Transportation Equity Legislation
In May 2023, Maryland passed a transportation planning law that requires that equity be considered when State transportation plans, reports, and goals are developed. The Maryland DOT will be required ...
Connecticut Green Bank
The Connecticut Green Bank was established in 2011 to promote investment in clean energy and efficiency, and includes a program to help homeowners purchase ENERGY STAR appliances.
Hawaii Vehicle-to-Grid Study
The Hawaii Natural Energy Institute partnered with the Florida Solar Energy Center to test commercial Lithium ion battery under Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Grid-to Vehicle (G2V) conditions to forecast t...
Transportation and Climate Initiative
The Transportation and Climate Initiative is a collaboration of the transportation, energy and environment agencies from 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and Washington, DC, focused on reducing gr...
Architecture 2030
Architecture 2030 coordinates architects, engineers, and planners working to advance model codes and partner with city planners to achieve zero net carbon cities by 2030.
NY Stretch Code and Energy Conservation Construction Code
The New York Stretch Code (2020) is a statewide model code for New York jurisdictions to use to meet their energy and climate goals by accelerating the savings obtained through their local building en...
California’s 100% ZEV by 2035 Regulation
In August 2022, California regulators adopted rules that would ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and light trucks by 2035. The rule establishes a year-by-year roadmap so that by 2035 100% of n...
Report, Community Solar Funding and Financing Options
This primer from the National Association of State Energy Officials outlines policy options to advance community solar in the low- and moderate-income market, including leveraging LIHEAP funds, variou...
California’s Natural Carbon Removal Target
In September 2022, California passed AB 1757, requiring the state to develop an achievable carbon removal target for natural and working lands. The new legislation builds on the framework established ...
Colorado Rental Car Fee for Funding Rail
Colorado’s SB 24-184 sets a new fee on rental cars to fund the construction of long-distance passenger rail throughout the state. The bill also aligns existing state transportation funding sources wit...
Maryland RPS
Maryland’s RPS includes small hydroelectric power plants of less than 30 megawatts.
Washington Administrative Code 480-90-238
The Washington Administrative Code 480-90-238 stipulates that when the PUC applies a Lowest Reasonable Cost test, it must consider, among other things, “the cost of risks associated with environmental...
Colorado Regulations on Oil and Gas Sector Methane Emissions
Colorado first adopted methane emissions regulations for the oil and gas sector in 2014. Colorado’s regulations require oil and gas companies to find and fix methane leaks, and, where necessary, insta...
Kentucky Eminent Domain Rules for CO2 Pipelines
In 2011, SB 50 authorized the exercise of eminent domain authority for carbon dioxide pipelines which have received construction certificates from the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and S...
Energize NY Finance Program
The Energy Improvement Corporation is a New York State not-for-profit, established specifically to increase the demand for energy efficiency and renewable energy building upgrades. With a growing memb...
Florida rules for repair of grade 3 pipeline leaks
Florida is among a minority of states that have passed required timelines for repairing even pipeline leaks deemed “nonhazardous” (Grade 3). Florida requires above-ground, Grade 3 leaks be repaired wi...
Report, Green and Resilience Banks
NRDC has published a 2016 report, Green and Resilience Banks: How the Green Investment Bank Model Can Play a Role in Scaling Up Climate Finance in Emerging Markets, which shows how Green Investment Ba...
RAP Report, The Clean Heat Standard
This 2021 RAP report outlines a potential Vermont-based performance-based program, the Clean Heat Standard (CHS), that would reduce GHG emissions and fossil heating costs in Vermont buildings. The pro...
Maryland Resiliency Hub Legislation
In April 2022, Maryland adopted SB256 to provide grants for microgrid and community solar projects at resiliency hubs serving low-income and moderate-income households during extended grid outages. Pe...
New York Fracking and Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling Bans
New York banned fracking in 2014, becoming the first state with large potential reserves to do so, effectively through a final environmental impact statement that recommended not establishing any frac...
Minnesota Sustainable Forest Incentive Act
In 2001, the Minnesota Legislature created an incentive program that annually pays enrolled landowners $7 per acre of forested land to offset property taxes. Known as the sustainable forest incentive ...
Sustainable Development Law and Policy paper, The Role of Advanced Cost Recovery in Nuclear Energy Policy
Sustainable Development Law and Policy published a 2015 paper, The Role of Advanced Cost Recovery in Nuclear Energy Policy, which reviews advanced cost recovery programs, legal challenges, and propose...
Maryland’s Proposed SNAP Regulation
In July 2020, the Maryland Department of the Environment proposed regulations to phase out the use of certain HFCs in foam products, refrigeration, commercial air-conditioning, and aerosol propellants...
Minnesota Order on Cost of Carbon in Resource Planning
Minnesota Statute § 216B.2422 Subdivision(3)(a) directs the PUC to “quantify and establish a range of environmental costs associated with each method of electricity generation,” which utilities are di...
Washington New Building EV Charging Requirements
The Washington Administrative Code 51-50-0427 requires 5% of parking spaces in new buildings to be equipped with EV charging infrastructure, excluding occupancies with fewer than 20 parking spots. The...
ASHRAE 90.1-2019
ASHRAE 90.1-2019 for Commercial Buildings provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most buildings, except low-rise residential buildings. It offers, in detail, the minimum ener...
Proposed California Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act
The “California Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act” proposed in 2023 would require all companies earning at least $1 billion in revenue and doing business in the state to provide information on...
New York’s BTA for Cooling Water Intake Structures
New York established closed-cycle cooling towers as the benchmark technology for compliance with Clean Water Act Section 316(b), on power plant cooling water systems.
Report, Limiting fossil fuel production as the next big step in climate policy
The December 2018 issue of Nature Climate Change included a proposal modeling the climate impacts if California’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources were to cease issuing permits for new, ...
Vermont’s H.942 (2020)
Vermont’s H.942 (2020) details incentive levels and income thresholds for the state’s new Plug-in Electric Vehicle Incentive programs. Anticipating federal stimulus money due to COVID-19, the bill als...
Vermont’s Pollinator-friendly Solar Generation Standard
Vermont’s Pollinator-friendly Solar Generation Standard requires that solar developers claiming their solar site is beneficial to pollinators and birds are assessed to address specific planting and ma...
Michigan RPS Biomass Definition
Michigan’s RPS defines biomass to exclude trees and wood unless that are derived from sustainably managed forests or procurement systems.
Minnesota’s Forever Green Agriculture Initiative
Passed within an appropriation bill, Minnesota’s SF03, Article 3 Section 3(h), funds the Forever Green Agriculture Initiative “to protect the state’s natural resources while increasing the efficiency,...
Report, Industrial Energy Efficiency: Designing effective State Programs for the Industrial Sector
The State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network has published a 2014 guide entitled Industrial Energy Efficiency: Designing effective State Programs for the Industrial Sector, which highlights pr...
Berkeley Report, Legal Grounds: Law and Policy Options to Facilitate a Phase-Out of Fossil Fuel Production in California
This April 2020 report from the Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment presents legal and policy options for a phaseout of oil and gas production in California, including: Enhancing regu...
New York’s S542A (2021)
In June 2021, New York’s Assembly and Senate passed S542A, which instructs the state’s Office of General Services to set guidelines for procuring low-carbon concrete for state construction projects. T...
Vermont’s Required Energy Training for Builders
Vermont’s S0220 (2020) requires architects, landscape architects, pollution abatement facility operators, professional engineers, property inspectors, real estate appraisers, and real estate brokers a...
Oregon’s HB 2193
Oregon’s HB 2193 (2015) requires electric companies with at least 25,000 retail customers to produce at least one energy storage system with at least 5 MWh of energy, to be operational by January 2020...
Colorado’s Community Solar program
Colorado’s Community Solar program (2011) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, utility- or non-utility-owned solar system up to 2 MW. Crediting is based on a total aggregate retail rate,...
Report, A Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Evaluation of the Feasibility of a National Pipeline Infrastructure for the Transport and Storage of Carbon Dioxide
The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission’s 2010 report surveys possible future regulatory scenarios for carbon dioxide pipelines.
Arizona Statute 28-2416
Under Statute 28-2416, battery-electric vehicles qualify for HOV lanes at any time, regardless of number of passengers, as long as the BEV has a special license plate.
Hawaii Green Energy Market Securitization program
The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority was created by Act 211 in 2013. The Hawaii Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) Program was created by the Green Infrastructure Authority and other agenc...
Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act
Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act (2019) contained a provision requiring the state to study if nuclear energy should be added to the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Report, A Program for Economic Recovery and Clean Energy Transition in California
This June 2021 study from the Political Economy Research Institute presents a recovery program for California that targeting durable foundation for an economically robust and ecologically sustainable ...
California’s Fuel Sulfur Rules
California’s initial attempt to require all ships calling at California ports to meet low-sulfur emissions standard were struck down. California modified the rules to set fuel requirements for the ves...
Washington appliance efficiency legislation
Washington’s HB 1619 (2022) provides energy and water efficiency standards for a range of products, including dishwashers, commercial fryers and steam cookers, water heaters, portable air conditioners...
Colorado Hydropower Potential Reports
The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s 2013 report, Recommendations for Developing Agricultural Hydropower in Colorado, estimated that 175,000 acres of the state’s irrigated farmland is suitable for...
California’s Building Decarbonization Pilot Plans
Senate Bill 1477, which requires the Commission to develop programs designed to test two specific programmatic approaches to building decarbonization: a Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Developme...
Minnesota Performance-Based Regulation proceeding
Minnesota legislation (Stat. 216B.16) allowed the PUC to “initiate a proceeding to determine a set of performance measures that can be used to assess a utility operating under a multiyear rate plan.” ...
Massachusetts Specialized Stretch Energy Code
In 2022, Massachusetts DOER approved a statewide Specialized Stretch Energy Code that cities and towns could adopt to boost the energy efficiency of new buildings and help lay the groundwork for elect...
NY Climate Risk Expectations for Banks
New York’s Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), in an October 2020 letter, called on state-regulated financial institutions to integrate climate change-related financial risks into their business...
LPDD Model Law: Healthy Soils Bill for Establishing State N20 Management Standards
Nitrous oxide emissions are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in the United States, amounting to approximately 5 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions on an annual basis. One source...
Minnesota’s State Climate Action Plan
Minnesota prepared a 2016 report laying the foundation for state climate action planning efforts, which recommended long-term efforts in promoting urban forests, forest health, conservation and workin...
Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundary Plan
The state of Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundary Plan requirements protects rural agricultural and forestlands outside the boundary. To meet the requirements of SB 100 (1971), the Columbia Region Associati...
North Dakota Regulation of Oil and Gas Sector Methane Emissions
North Dakota bans the venting of natural gas and requires that vented gas be burned through a flare with the estimated volume flared reported to the director of the oil and gas division at the North D...
California Truck and Bus Regulation
California has a truck and bus regulation under its Clean Air Act waiver, which includes emission standards for new engines and vehicles, as well as in engine retrofit requirement aimed to ensure that...
New Jersey Adopts Advanced Clean Cars II
On November 21st, 2023, New Jersey announced that the state will become the latest to adopt California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) on December 18th. Starting in model year 2027, vehicle manufact...
RAP TOU Resources
The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
LPDD Model Law: State Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation
This model state law addresses Extended Producer Responsibility for collection opportunities and recycling of packaging for all types of consumer products. Numerous states have developed EPR bills of ...
California’s Energy Storage Mandate
California’s AB 2514 (2010) called on the state to establish an energy storage mandate. California’s Public Utility Commission accordingly approved a 1.3GW storage target for the state to be achieved ...
Georgia Fuel Tax Exemption Expiration
In 2019, Georgia’s General Assembly failed to renew a tax exemption on jet fuel that they’d given airlines for more than a decade. House Bill 447, intended to grant a 20-year extension to fuel tax bre...
Maine’s LD 1494
Maine’s LD 1494 (2019) updated the State’s RPS to require the creation of a new thermal portfolio standard to incentivize efficient heating and cooling installations. In March, 2020, the Maine PUC ope...
Nevada’s SB 448
In June 2021, Nevada Legislature passed SB448 to invest $100 million in transportation electrification and direct transmission providers to join a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) by 2030. On ...
NM’s Healthy Soil Act (2019)
New Mexico’s Healthy Soil Act 2019) creates a Healthy Soil Program within the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, administered by New Mexico State University. The program’s purpose is “to promote an...
LPDD Model Law: Occupational Wage and Benefit Standards in Clean Energy Legislation
In order to promote the continued growth of the clean energy economy and ensure that this growth creates (a) secure, high quality jobs that promote equity and social well-being, (b) stable labor marke...
New York’s Leaked Gas Cost Recovery Methodology
In New York, gas rate recovery is not linked to actual leakage each year, but rather fixed every three years to reflect historical averages. This gives pipeline operators some incentive to continuousl...
NASEO report, The Role of Clean Energy Banks in Increasing Private Investment in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
The National Association of State Energy Officials and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions published a 2014 report, The Role of Clean Energy Banks in Increasing Private Investment in Electric ...
Illinois’ Right to Charge Act
Illinois’ SB40 requires new or renovated homes and multi-unit residential buildings to have conduits to charge electric vehicles.
Tennessee SB 0795 (2021)
This April 2021 legislation authorizes local governments in Tennessee to establish and adopt commercial property assessed clean energy and storm resiliency (C-PACER) programs that ensure that free and...
Washington Forest Practices Act
Title 222 WAC contains forest practices rules which establish standards for timber harvesting, pre-commercial thinning, road construction, fertilization, forest chemical application and other forest p...
California In-Use Emissions Testing Requirements
California passed a heavy-duty vehicle inspection program in 2014 that requires trucks to comply with a random roadside in-use emissions testing program to verify that diesel engines do not smoke exce...
Kentucky Rules Regarding Pore Space
In 2011, HB 259 directed CO2 storage operators to make good faith attempts to acquire the rights to pore space needed for long-term storage from the owners. If a storage operator has made good faith e...
LPDD Model Law: State Provision to Promote Local Employment in Decarbonization Policies
This Model Provision provides a regulatory framework to use decarbonization policy to promote local employment without resorting to protectionist measures that run afoul of international trade rules. ...
Maine’s Proposed LD 1894 (2020)
Maine’s proposed LD 1894 (2020) would would require all school buses statewide to operate with electric power by 2040.
Report, A Comparison of Clean Heat Standards: Current Progress and Key Elements
This February 2024 report surveys the emerging field of Clean Heat Standards (CHS) across the United States, including two enacted programs and several pieces of proposed legislation. It offers a comp...
Report, Policy Options for States to Support New Nuclear Energy
This document identifies policy tools already in use or being considered by state decisionmakers to achieve energy, environmental, climate, job creation and energy security goals by supporting the dep...
EDF Report, Encouraging the Development of Distributed Energy Resources in Texas
A Sept. 2020 report from Environmental Defense Fund outlines the actions Texas legislators, regulators and local decision makers can take to spur investment in and adoption of clean, distributed energ...
Report, Optimal Pathways to Achieve Climate Goals – Inclusion of a Renewable Gas Standard
The Center for Renewable Gas prepared a 2018 report analyzing the challenge of meeting California’s carbon goals, and recommended developing a Renewable Gas Standard.
Report, Food Surplus and Its Climate Burdens
This 2016 paper in Environmental Science and Technology notes that in the year 2010, food availability was 20% higher than was required on a global scale, and provides a systematic approach to estimat...
Oregon CO2 emissions standards for power plants
ORS §469.501(1) empowers the Energy Facility Siting Council to adopt standards for the siting, construction, operation and retirement of facilities. For energy facilities that emit carbon dioxide, the...
California’s proposed AB 1163
California’s proposed AB 1163 (2019) would require manufacturers making an express warranty with respect to an electronic or appliance product to make available sufficient service literature, at no ch...
NREL Report, Design and Implementation of Community Solar Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers
This 2018 report from NREL draws from the literature and from interviews with representatives from low- and moderate-income (LMI) solar developers and state LMI community solar programs to provide exp...
Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard
Fuel-switching efforts by Vermont utilities have been driven by the state’s 2015 Renewable Energy Standard (RES, Act 56), which addresses building electrification and comprises three components or tie...
Colorado’s HB-1314
Colorado’s HB-1314 (2019) establishes a Just Transition Office in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The office is charged with creating an equitable plan for coal-dependent communities ...
Montana Rules Regarding Pore Space
In 2009, SB 498 created a presumption that the surface owner of a property is also the owner of the subsurface geologic storage reservoir unless deeds or severance documents establish that a different...
Michigan Resolution on Studying Rate Design Options
Michigan’s Senate Resolution 0142 (2020) encourages the Michigan Public Service Commission to undertake a study into alternative and innovative rate design options for Michigan’s electric customers. T...
LPDD Model Law: State EV Charging Station Rebates
This model state law provides rebates to subsidize the installation of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging equipment. Under the law, the state would provide a one-time payment for the cost o...
Colorado SB 264 (2021)
The bill requires each gas distribution utility to file a clean heat plan with the public utilities commission (PUC). These plans must demonstrate how the utility will use clean heat resources to meet...
California SB 1122
California’s SB 1122 requires the state’s investor-owned utilities to procure at least 90 MW of electricity generated at agricultural biogas facilities developed on or after June 2013. Utilities are r...
Maine rules for repair of grade 3 pipeline leaks
Maine is among a minority of states that have passed required timelines for repairing even pipeline leaks deemed “nonhazardous” (Grade 3). Maine requires that pipeline operators repair Grade 3 leaks w...
California’s SB 1339
California’s SB 1339 (2018) requires the CPUC to develop regulations, standards, and guidelines by December 1, 2020, to facilitate the commercialization of microgrids for customers of large electric u...
New York’s Pollinator-Friendly Solar Act (2018)
The legislation requires the New York Department of Environmental Conservation in association with others, to develop minimum guidelines for vegetation management plans used by those who make public c...
California’s Solar Initiative Thermal Program
California’s Solar Initiative Thermal Program offers cash rebates of up to $4,366 on solar water heating systems for single-family residential customers, and up to $800,000 for multifamily and commerc...
ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard
ACEEE publishes an annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard that ranks states on their policy and program efforts, not only assessing performance but also documenting best practices and recognizing le...
Washington’s SB 5811
Washington’s SB 5811 adds the state to the group of states supporting the Zero Emission Vehicles standards adopted in California.
California TRAC Leases
California’s Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause Leases, or TRAC leases, encourage business owners to upgrade their diesel trucks for early compliance with on-road diesel vehicle regulations. The progra...
New Jersey Fertilizer Rules
New Jersey prohibits the sale of fertilizer that exceeds certain limits for nitrogen concentration.
RAP’s Building Modernization Legislative Toolkit
The Regulatory Assistance Project, with collaborators at RMI, ACEEE, IMT, ReSolve and New Buildings Institute (NBI), have prepared a 2023 Building Modernization Legislative Toolkit. The toolkit is mea...
Maryland Forest Conservation Act
The Maryland Forest Conservation Act requires counties in the state with less than 200,000 acres of forest to set aside forest acreage for preservation. Examples of community plans include Washington ...
Colorado RPS
Colorado’s RPS includes new hydroelectricity with a nameplate capacity of 10 megawatts or less, and existing hydropower of 30 megawatts or less.
Vermont’s S160 (2019)
Vermont’s S160 (2019) deals with soil health, among other agricultural development issues. It requires the Farm and Forest Viability Program of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to recommend ...
Massachusetts Highway Renewable Energy Program
Massachusetts’ DOT (MassDOT) has developed a Highway Renewable Energy Program, which has sited 8 projects totaling 4.3 MW. MassDOT identified approximately 60 sites that could be used for solar power ...
Oregon forestry offsets
Oregon does not have a market-based emissions reduction program, but the state has authorized forest carbon offsets. Oregon permits the state forester to develop contracts with non-federal forest land...
Illinois’ ZEC program
The Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB 2814) (2016) establishes a ZEC program to compensate nuclear generators for the benefits provided by their emissions-free generation, valued at the Social Cost of Carbo...
New York’s Proposed S. 8198 (2022)
This 2022 bill would ensure that state regulation and oversight of gas utilities provides for the equitable achievement of the climate justice and emission reduction mandates set forth in New York’s C...
California’s 20 CCR 1065
Historically the most aggressive state in pioneering efficiency standards for appliances outside the federal purview (See Article 4 under California Code of Regulations Title 20), California has also ...
New Jersey’s Municipal Redevelopment Charging Stations Legislation
This July 2021 legislation encourages the inclusion of zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure in municipal redevelopment projects. This bill makes the construction of publicly avail...
EPA Guide to Action for State Best Policies
The EPA has written a Guide to Action for State Best Policies in efficiency, renewables, and CHP. At page 4-72, it contains a helpful guide for state appliance standard programs, including lists of re...
California’s Advanced Clean Fleets Rule
In May 2023, the California Air Resources Board approved the Advanced Clean Fleets Rule. The rule complements the previously approved Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation: while the Clean Trucks Regulatio...
Maryland’s Law Against EV Charging Station Bans in Housing Co-Ops
Maryland’s SB 465 (2024) prohibits the enforcement of rules that limit or prevent the installation and use of EV charging equipment in housing cooperatives, including charging equipment for electric b...
Rhose Island’s Executive Order 15-17
Executive Order 15-17 (2015) requires that, by 2025, 25% of new light-duty state fleet purchases and leases must be zero-emissions vehicles.
Washington SB 1287
This April 2021 legislation out of Washington requires that all publicly and privately owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later be electric. To protect highway revenues, thi...
NY’s Clean Energy Communities Program
New York’s Clean Energy Communities Program incentivizes local governments with grants and coordination assistance to meet four of ten designated high impact actions, one of which is the adoption of a...
Maryland’s Proposed Climate Superfund Bill
Maryland’s proposed RENEW Act of 2024 — Responding to Emergency Needs from Extreme Weather — seeks to levy penalties on the 40 biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in Maryland over the past two decade...
Honolulu’s Bill 25
In 2020, Honolulu City Council passed Bill 25, which includes building code amendments requiring new buildings to be solar ready and that a portion of parking be EV-ready.
New Mexico’s Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap (HB 233)
The Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap (HB 233) directs the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to develop a strategic plan for energy grid modernization and to establish a competitive gr...
California’s SB 350 and Responsive PUC Decisions
California’s SB 350 (2015) ordered the PUC to direct the state’s six investor-owned electric utilities to file applications for programs that “accelerate widespread transportation electrification.” In...
Delaware’s EV-Capable Parking Requirements
Delaware’s SS1 for SB 103 (2023) requires that newly constructed single-family homes have EV capable parking, and that multi-family residential buildings include EV capable parking and EV charging inf...
IREC Report, Enabling Equitable Electric Vehicle Shared Mobility Programs
This 2022 report from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council overviews traditional transportation planning, new models of planning that integrate shared mobility, and the role of utilities in equitab...
California Proposed Decision on Carbon Costs in Integrated Resource Planning
California’s Public Utility Code § 701.1(c) gives the state’s Public Utilities Commission a mandate to include “a value for any costs and benefits to the environment,” when it is “calculating the cost...
Oregon Clean Fuels Program
Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program is a state-level standard designed to shirt transportation fuels away from high-carbon petroleum. The 2009 Oregon Legislature passed HB 2186 authorizing the Oregon Environ...
California Laws on Transmission Approvals and Reporting
In September, 2022, California enrolled two laws related to accelerating transmission approvals and reporting requirements.SB 529: California’s SB 529 requires the Public Utilities Commission to updat...
New York rules for energy sales to adjacent properties
New York permits qualified renewable energy and cogeneration facilities to sell to customers located “at or near the project site.” Public Service Commission decisions have interpreted this grant to e...
Michigan Bans HOAs from Prohibiting Distributed Energy
A Michigan law passed in June 2024 will prohibit HOAs in the state from banning rooftop solar and other energy-efficiency updates, like heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, and clotheslines. Under t...
Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act
Illinois’ 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act calls for updates to Illinois’ renewable portfolio standards, net metering, and energy efficiency standards, as well as a new zero emissions credits plan. Under t...
North Dakota Common Carrier Rules for CO2 Pipelines
The N.D.C.C. § 49-19-01 et seq. identifies CO2 pipelines as eligible for common carrier status. CO2 transport pipeline owners and operators may apply for a right-of-way to construct pipelines over pub...
On Distributed Resource Planning
LPDD Recommendation: “State PUCs should require utilities to file ‘distributed resource plans’ (DRPs) or locational value maps showing at which locations DG resources are most needed and best deployed...
Virginia’s Dedicated Fund for Rail Projects
Virginia has created a dedicated fund for intercity passenger rail, and the state’s Six-Year Improvement Program adopted in 2017 allocates almost $800 million to passenger rail projects.
Report, Aviation Emissions: Actions New York lawmakers could take to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation
This April 2020 white paper offers options for lawmakers to accelerate progress in reducing aviation emissions. It outlines options addressing airports, hospitals, businesses and consumers, airlines,a...
Louisiana CCS liability release regulation
Louisiana has enacted legislation to limit private liability for sequestration of captured carbon dioxide by transferring ownership of sequestered carbon dioxide to the state after 10 years (contingen...
California’s AB-32 and CARB’s Responsive Scoping Plan
California’s AB 32 requires a reduction in statewide GHG emissions, including HFCs, to 1990 levels, by 2020 (this target was strengthened by SB 1383 in 2016 to a 40% reduction in GHGs below 1990 level...
Minnesota’s Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness Test
The Minnesota Department of Commerce adopted a new cost-effectiveness test last month that will be used to assess utility energy efficiency programs in the state. New features of the cost test, includ...
South Carolina Bioenergy Production Incentives
South Carolina adopted production incentives for biomass power plants paying $0.01 per kilowatt hour. The incentive was available for ten years, from 2008 through June 30, 2018.
2019 Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Reduction Study
The 2019 Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Reduction Study updated on the previous 2016 study with a more accurate emissions baseline (accounting for gas leakage), and then modeled three decarbonization pat...
Hawaii’s HB 623
In June 2015, Hawaii enacted HB 623, a law requiring all electric power to come from renewable sources by 2045, effectively phasing out fossil fuels from electricity production.
Hawaii HB 1464
In addition to benchmarking requirements, Hawaii’s HB 1464 requires retrocommissioning on public buildings at least every five years.
California’s Cement GHG Phaseout Bill
In September 2021, California’s legislature passed the first state law directly targeting greenhouse gas emissions from the cement sector. The bill, SB 596, directs the California Air Resources Board ...
Washington’s Soil Health Initiative
Washington’s Soil Health Initiative provides funding for new soil health research and extension activities to develop, evaluate and incentivize best management practices across the agricultural system...
New York’s Offshore Wind Portfolio
New York recently awarded contracts for 1.7 GW of offshore wind in response to a 2018 NYSERDA solicitation, pursuant to the state’s existing master plan to build 2.4 GW of offshore wind. These project...
Report, Securing Rights-of-Way to CO2 Pipeline Corridors in the United States
Raven and Matsushita’s 2017 report examines the U.S. pipeline system and the regulatory regime for the transportation of CO2 across public and private land, as well as some of the potential means of s...
Report, From EOR to CCS
Marston and Moore’s 2008 report discusses state regulatory frameworks for carbon dioxide pipelines as currently exists to support the EOR industry. It identifies those aspects of the existing regulato...
LPDD Model Law: State Renewable Gas Standard
This LPDD model state legislation addresses renewable portfolio standards with respect to renewable gas. The model legislation was prepared based on California’s proposed SB 687, which would have esta...
Illinois Ban on Local Renewable Bans
In January 2023, the Illinois Legislature passed H.B. 4412, setting requirements for utility-scale wind and solar projects, and barring local governments from having any rules that are more restrictiv...
NREL Report, Focusing the Sun: State Considerations for Designing Community Solar Policy
This 2018 NREL report summarizes outcomes from the NCSP State Best Practices working group by identifying key differences in state policies that enable community solar and illustrating how various pol...
Massachusett’s Environmental Justice Trust
Massachusetts’ Environmental Justice Fund, established through the 2025 state budget, will receive monies from civil penalties obtained in judgments and settlements from state cases in the AGO’s Envir...
California SB 100
California’s 2018 SB 100 increases the ambition of the state’s RPS target to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. The law puts forward interim targets of 50% renewable energy by 2026 and 60% r...
New York’s Article X
New York’s Article 10 of the Public Service Law gives the state’s “Siting Board considerable authority to override local laws that are ‘unreasonably burdensome,’ though that phrase has not yet been co...
New Jersey Bill Requiring Developers To Offer EV Charging
This 2020 New Jersey bill requires a developer to offer to install an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at certain new residential construction when a prospective owner chooses so. They shall inf...
Report, Bans and Beyond: Designing and Implementing Organic Waste Bans and Mandatory Organics Recycling Laws
This 2019 report from Harvard’s Food Law and Policy Clinic analyzes the structure and implementation of organic waste bans and presents examples from states and cities with existing or proposed waste ...
California Community Choice Aggregation
Established by 2002’s AB 117, California’s community choice aggregation program allows for communities to join together to purchase electricity on behalf of their community members. Community choice p...
Texas Tax Incentives for CCS
Texas Tax Code Ann. §171.602 provides for a Clean Energy Tax Credit, which applies to projects sequestering at least 70 percent of the carbon dioxide resulting from or associated with the generation o...
Hawaii’s solar water heater system requirement
Hawaii’s Energy Resources Code (2008) requires that every new single-family dwelling shall have a “solar water heater system.”
NWF issue brief on turbine impacts to bird species
The National Wildlife Federation has released an issue brief on wind power’s minimal impacts to bird species. The brief also acknowledges the potential for concern to some bat species, but notes that ...
California Executive Order S-14-08
2008’s Executive Order S-14-08 aimed to expedite the permitting of renewable energy facilities by, among other things, creating a more coordinated permitting process for projects that must go through ...
Maine’s Offshore Oil Exploration Ban
Maine banned offshore oil exploration in 2019 through LD 955.
California’s Complete Streets Bill
California’s SB 960 requires the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to make improvements for biking, walking, and transit infrastructure when it upgrades state-owned roads. This infras...
CARB Diesel Risk Reduction Plan
California’s Diesel Risk Reduction Plan includes recommended actions to reduce emissions from mobile and stationary sources. Under the plan, California has enacted on-road and nonroad emissions standa...
New Jersey’s Low-Carbon Concrete Tax Incentive
In January 2023, New Jersey enacted S287, creating a first-in-the-nation tax credit for the utilization of low-carbon concrete. The new law gives businesses a credit of up to 5% of a project’s total c...
New York’s Inspection and Maintenance program for Heavy Duty Vehicles
New York’s Inspection and Maintenance program for HDVs is codified at 6 NYCRR 217-5.
North Carolina EO on Offshore Wind
A June 2021 Executive Order from North Carolina’s Governor set the state’s first-ever offshore wind target, calling for as much as 8 gigawatts of wind to be built off the coast of the State by 2040. T...
Massachusett’s efforts towards developing a Clean Peak Energy Standard
On August 9, 2018, Massachusetts passed An Act to Advance Clean Energy, which requires the Dept. of Energy Resources to develop a program requiring retail electricity providers to meet a baseline mini...
NY Prize Program
The New York Prize program provides funding for microgrid development in three phases: first, a $100,000 prize for qualifying projects to conduct a screening study of microgrid feasibility; second, a ...
Illinois’ Clean Coal Portfolio Standard Law
Illinois’ SB 1987, the Clean Coal Portfolio Standard Law, required that new power plants using coal as their primary feedstock must utilize CCS. The legislation set a compliance schedule beginning at ...
California’s Forest Legacy Program
Under California’s forest legacy program, CAL FIRE purchases or accepts donations of conservation easements or fee title of productive forest lands to encourage their long-term conservation. The prima...
Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act
The Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2009 allowed utilities to recover costs of financing nuclear plant construction if approved by the PSC. The law gave the PSC the power to authorize accounti...
Indiana’s RPS-eligible clean power sources
Code §8-1-37-4(17) defines RPS-eligible clean power sources as including those described in § 8-1-8.8-2, which includes “advanced technologies that reduce regulated air emissions from or increase the ...
North Carolina’s Electric-Sector Carbon Reduction Legislation
In October 2021, the North Carolina legislature passed H.951, which set the state’s first targets for cutting electricity-sector carbon emissions, with a goal to bring emissions down 70 percent below ...
Washington State’s Permitting Expedition Legislation
In May 2023, Washington State passed a law overhauling the permitting process for renewable energy projects. House Bill 1216 is intended to provide for up-front planning, early community and tribal in...
AchiEVe Toolkit
AchiEVe: Model Policies to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption, is a national toolkit designed to accelerate the switch to clean, electric vehicles (EVs) in an effective and equitable way by providin...
New Jersey Sales Tax Exemption for ZEVs
The New Jersey Sales and Use Tax Act provides a sales and use tax exemption for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), which are vehicles certified pursuant to the California Air Resources Board zero emission...
Oregon’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rules
In November 2021, Oregon adopted elements of California’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rule, which requires manufacturers of medium- and heavy- duty vehicles to sell a certain percentage of zero emission veh...
Maine’s LD 1494
Maine’s LD 1494 increases Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2030, up from 40 percent previously, and a goal of 100% by 2050. In addition, the bill requires the Pu...
Hawaii’s SB 2746
Under SB 2746, plug-in electric vehicles are eligible for the HOV lane with the correct license plate displayed.
Colorado Bans State Agencies from Using Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment
State agencies in Colorado will be banned from using gas-powered lawn equipment with engines of engines of 25 horsepower or less during the summer, according to a rule adopted by the Colorado Air Qual...
Indiana Bill on Siting Next-Gen Nuclear at Existing Fossil Fuel Plants
Indiana’s Senate and House have each passed a bill incentivizing the siting of next-generation nuclear plants at existing fossil plant sites. The bill amends the statute governing certificates of publ...
NYSERDA Smart Grid Funding
Throughout 2019, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has put forward funding opportunities for advancing smart grid development in waves, including a $15 million Future Grid C...
Virginia’s HB 868
Virginia’s HB 868 allows retail electric customers to purchase 100% renewable electricity from electric suppliers, including incumbent electric utilities that are not serving their service territory d...
Report, Growing Oregon’s Biogas Industry
Weisberg and Roth’s 2011 paper, Growing Oregon’s Biogas Industry, surveys the biogas production potential in Oregon and recommends production incentives and bridge loan programs to help realize these ...
California’s Forest Carbon Plan
California’s Forest Practices Act encourages carbon sequestration in California’s forests. Consistent with this mandate, in 2017, California forest and fire management authorities published a draft Ca...
Florida’s Statute 316-0741
Under Statute 316-0741, plug-in electric vehicles are eligible for most HOV lanes with Florida’s HOV decal.
Vermont Use Value Appraisal Program
In Vermont, property taxes for forest lands are based on the value of the land in its current use, rather than market value. This method allows for valuation of forestland based on the actual use of t...
Report, Assessment of Natural Gas Combined Cycle Plants for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in a Gas-Dominated Electricity Market
Holden’s 2014 report for the California Energy Commission evaluates CO2 capture technology options for use on NGCC plants; compares and contrasts CO2 capture on other fossil plant technologies to CO2 ...
LPDD Model Law: Green Commercial Lease Legislation
This model state legislation is intended to assist commercial landlords, tenants and other parties-in-interest in drafting green lease provisions that comply with state green building code requirement...
New Hampshire’s Community Aggregation Law
Authorizes municipalities to procure power on their own, using the collective buying power of all of their residents and businesses to secure competitive prices.
New York’s SB 5820
New York’s SB 5820 (2019) requires the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to study and make recommendations regarding the state’s electric vehicle inventory and improvements to t...
California Civil Code Section 714(a)
California Civil Code Section 714(a) provides that “Any covenant, restriction, or condition in any deed contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of, or any gen...
California AB 2868
California’s AB 2868 (2016) encouraged investor-owned utilities to develop up to 500 MW of storage (in addition to the existing 1325 MW storage mandate), of which up to 25% may be behind-the-meter.
Massachusetts’ Community Choice Aggregation
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 164 §134 contains provisions for community choice aggregation in the state, adopting language from the enabling Utility Restructuring Act of 1997. The Department of Energy Resource...
Delaware Adopts Advanced Clean Cars II
Delaware adopted California’s Advanced Clean Cars (ACC II) regulation, effective December 11th, 2023. Starting in model year 2027, vehicle manufacturers are required to sell an increasing number of ze...
Vermont Fracking Ban
Vermont banned fracking in 2012, the first state in the nation to do so.
California’s Offshore Wind Procurement Law
AB 1373 (2023) would allow the California Public Utilities Commission to authorize the California Department of Water Resources, which operates dams and aqueducts across the state, to sign contracts c...
LPDD Model Law: Requiring Indirect Source Permits for New or Expanded Facilities Generating Significant Vehicular Traffic
This model law aims to address the pollution generated by new indirect sources, which attract increased vehicle traffic and mobile sources of pollution. While the pollution from these sources may not ...
California RPS
California requires that the state’s retail electricity suppliers obtain 50% of their annual electricity sales from renewable resources, which includes hydroelectric facilities of 30 MW or less, by 20...
MCLI Model Law - Balcony or Plug-in Solar
Small-scale distributed solar-powered generation has a variety of benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions, increased electricity reliability, and decreased electri...
2016 CalGreen Building Code
The 2016 CalGreen Building Code (specifically sections 5.106.5.3 and A5.106.5.3) stipulates a required number of parking spots and EV chargers for parking lots of different sizes. There are also stric...
Colorado SB 260 (2021)
This omnibus transportation bill includes specific provisions on transportation equity and expanding access to electric vehicles. The bill includes the following: Creates the Community Access Enterpri...
Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden program
Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden program (2014) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, utility- or non-utility owned solar system up to 1 MW. Crediting is based on a Value of Solar analy...
Hawaii’s Law Adjusting RPS Metrics to Actual Generation
In July 2022, Hawaii passed HB2089, changing the way the state calculates its progress under its renewable energy standard. HB2089 changes the relevant metric from sales to actual generation, which sh...
Report, Extended Producer Liability in the United States
The Harvard Kennedy School’s 2013 report, Extended Producer Liability in the United States, describes the evolution of EPR policies in the United States, focusing on the role of states. In notes that ...
New York’s 2035 EV Target
In September 2021, New York adopted a law that will require all passenger vehicles sold in the state to be emission-free by 2035. The law will make New York the second state after California to phase ...
Montana C-PACE Legislation
This bill authorizes local governments to adopt commercial property-assessed capital enhancement (C-PACE) programs to promote energy conservation measures or renewable energy systems on the customer’s...
California’s Low-Emission Vehicle Program
California’s Low-Emission Vehicle Program (2012) includes emissions standards for both criteria pollutants and GHGs for new passenger vehicles. As of September 2019, the program is threatened by the T...
Colorado’s Ban on Gas Extension Subsidies
Senate Bill 23-291 eliminates incentives for installation of gas line extensions in new buildings and developments.
Pennsylvania’s proposed Keep Powering Pennsylvania Act
Pennsylvania’s proposed Keep Powering Pennsylvania Act (2019) would require Pennsylvania’s electric utilities to buy 50 percent their power from generation sources included in a new Tier III of their ...
California Healthy Soils Program
Established by SB 1350, California’s Healthy Soils Program (HSP) is a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California’s farmlands and ranchlan...
Virginia’s Transportation Electrification Planning Legislation
This bill requires Virginia’s State Corporation Commission to submit, no later than May 1, 2022, a report to the State’s General Assembly recommending policy proposals that could govern public electri...
Connecticut’s Value of DER Proceeding
Connecticut’s Public Act 19-35 (2019), among other things, required the Public Service Commission to institute a proceeding establishing the value of distributed energy resources, proceeding 19-06-29....
Rhode Island’s EERS
Rhode Island’s Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 establishes a Least Cost Procurement mandate, requiring utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy effici...
Hawaii’s Proceeding to Investigate DER Policies
In 2014, Hawaii engaged in a proceeding to devise a valuation scheme for distributed resources, including solar. The proceeding culminated in a 2017 Order that created separate interim rates for solar...
IREC Report, Shared Renewable Energy for Low- to Moderate-Income Consumers: Policy Guidelines and Model Provisions
IREC’s _Shared Renewable Energy for Low-to Moderate-Income Consumers:Policy Guidelines and Model Provisions_provides information and tools for policymakers, regulators, utilities, shared renewable ene...
Nevada’s enabling legislation for local planning authorities
Nevada’s enabling legislation for local planning authorities has special provisions to protect small wind projects. “Zoning regulations must be adopted in accordance with the master plan for land use ...
Southern California Boiler and Water Heater Regulation
In Southern California, a rule adopted in June 2024 targets industrial boilers and water heaters fueled by fossil gas, driving a major shift toward electric boilers and heaters. Regulators in the Sout...
LPDD Model Law: State Law Expediting the Siting of Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Generating Systems
This model state legislation aims to expedite and institutionalize uniform processes for siting facilities for generating, transporting and storing renewable energy. The model statute has two parallel...
California’s GHG-Neutrality by 2045 Law
In September 2022, California enrolled AB 1279, which codified the state’s plan to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045. The bill also requires, by 2045, that statewide GHG emissions are reduc...
Ohio’s Nuclear Development Authority
In June 2023, Ohio lawmakers included a provision on a new state authority promoting Ohio as a leader in advanced nuclear technology in the state’s two-year budget bill. The amendment establishes a ni...
Connecticut Bus Idling Regulation
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227 prohibits the idling of a school bus for more than three consecutive minutes.
Natural Resources Canada Efficiency Regulations
Natural Resources Canada maintains a three-part energy efficiency program and is an international partner in EPA’s voluntary ENERGY STAR programs.
California Phasing Out Gas Powered Landscaping Equipment
California’s AB 1346 will phase out the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines in the state. Small off-road engines, primarily found in outdoor power equipment, emit smog-forming pollutants, i...
California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program
Under California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program, electricity customers are awarded up to $5 million per project for generating electricity behind the meter using qualifying new or emerging distri...
New York State Gas Ban in New Buildings
In the budget passed in May 2023, New York State adopted a first-in-nation law to ban gas stoves and fossil fuels in new buildings starting in 2026. The gas ban requires all-electric heating and cooki...
California’s Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law
AB 1826 was signed in Sept. 2014. It requires businesses that produce specified amounts of organic waste to do at least one of the following: • Source-separate organic waste and subscribe to an organi...
Minnesota Vegetative Buffer Requirements
In 2015, Minnesota passed a pioneering law requiring permanent vegetative buffers on farmland abutting lakes and streams. The law was designed to reduce runoff, but will also increase soil carbon sequ...
NY Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law
In 2019, NYS passed the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling law. Effective January 1, 2022, large generators of food scraps (defined as generating an annual average of two tons per week or more) m...
NY EV Charging Subsidies
New York offers several different programs subsidizing different entities to install EV charging infrastructure, including up to a $5,000 tax credit for public and workplace chargers, $4,000 rebates f...
Massachusetts’ Proposed S. 2477 (2020)
Massachusetts’ proposed S. 2477 (2020) creates a carbon price that leaves program design to future gubernatorial administrations to decide. They would be free to choose among a variety of market-based...
Vermont’s H525 (2019)
Vermont’s H525 addresses healthy soils among several agricultural subjects. The legislation establishes the Environmental Stewardship Program, which provides assistance to farmers to implement regener...
Connecticut Green Bank
Connecticut was the first state to establish a green bank pursuant to SB 1243, Pub. Act No. 11-80 (2011). Since its inception, the Connecticut Green Bank and its private investment partners have deplo...
New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Portfolio
New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced in June 2019 the award of a contract for 1.1 GW of offshore wind. The announcement is in furtherance of the governor’s Executive Order 8, which...
New Mexico’s SB 489
New Mexico’s SB 489 (2019) will shut down a coal power plant by creating a system to sell bonds that would make up for the money the utility would lose by closing the facility. Costs are rate-based to...
LPDD Model Law: Transportation Electrification Statute
This model state law that would cause State PUCs to encourage electric utilities to support the development of the infrastructure needed to charge a dramatically increasing number of EVs. The legislat...
Report, Technical Potential of Renewable Natural Gas
Olafsson’s 2014 thesis, The Technical Potential of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) in the United States, and the Economic Potential of Methanation-derived RNG in Texas, uses a thermodynamic balance to det...
New Jersey A5434
In general, “dual-use” refers to agricultural production and electricity production from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels occurring together on the same piece of land. It is expected that in most cases ...
Product Stewardship Institute
The Product Stewardship Institute is a public-private partnership researching, designing, implementing, evaluating, and promoting producer responsibility laws and voluntary programs that solve recycli...
New York’s Expanded Local Building and Planning Requirements
New Yorks S00391 (2021) amends state language that requires towns and villages to consider solar PV systems in their local building and planning regulations to also accommodate solar thermal, wind, hy...
Illinois Law restricting county-level siting restrictions over windpower
In May 2022, Illinois adopted siting legislation for commercial wind facilities that prevents counties from placing restrictions on the installation or use of a commercial wind energy facility, or fro...
Michigan Orders Electrification Goals into Gas Delivery Plans
In November 2024, the Michigan Public Service Commission ordered the gas utility DTE Gas to incorporate the state’s emissions and electrification goals into its future “gas delivery plans.”
NCSL paper, State Options to Keep Nuclear in the Energy Mix
The National Conference of State Legislatures prepared a 2017 paper, State Options to Keep Nuclear in the Energy Mix, which reviewed a variety of different policy mechanisms to support nuclear power, ...
Hawaii’s Community-Based Renewable Energy Program
Act 100 (2015) established the Hawaii community-based renewable energy (CBRE) program, which generally envisioned electric utility customers participating with qualified projects in exchange for bill ...
ACEEE Report, Electrifying Trucks
ACEEE’s 2020 report reviews technical features and challenges of electric trucks, surveys the current status of the market, summarizes electric rates and other policy efforts in the field, and conclud...
Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission
In July, 2024, ten Northeast states announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework to improve interregional transmission planning and development. Under the MOU, states agreed ...
Washington’s Climate Workforce Legislation
Washington’s HB 1176 (2023) creates the Washington Climate Corps to expand service opportunities for young adults and veterans and connect them with climate and clean energy career opportunities. It a...
Colorado’s Grid Modernization Legislation
In May, 2024, Colorado passed grid modernization legislation that will require utilities serving 500,000 customers or more (that is, Xcel Energy) to upgrade their distribution systems to support the s...
Massachusetts STAR Program
The Solar Technical Assistance Retrofits program, or STAR, in Massachusetts has secured $10 million to invest in up to 3 megawatts of solar projects on affordable housing buildings. The program will o...
Oregon SB 978
Senate Bill 978 created an open investigation into multiple aspects of the regulatory structure, including rate design, revenue regulation, grid modernization, integrated resource planning, and others...
CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards
California’s CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24) function harmoniously. CALGreen includes provisions to ensure the reduction of water use by 20%, improve indoor air quality, d...
Minnesota Value of Solar study
Minnesota’s 2014 Value of Solar study provided a template for how to consider the various types of value that solar systems provide to the grid and society, including peak load reduction, environmenta...
California Customer Data Protection rules
In response to SB 1476, the California Public Utility Commission established rulesto protect information about consumer use of “smart meter” electrical services. The California decision, the first in ...
Connecticut’s Proposed Legislation on EV Charging in Common Interest Developments
Connecticut is considering legislation that would grant condo owners and renters the right to install their own car chargers, part of a broader effort to dramatically expand the state’s electric vehic...
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program
The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program incorporates an Energy Shared Storage Adder to a more traditional renewable incentive program. Solar projects that participate are eligible to ...
Carbon Sequestration Certification Program
Established by the Oklahoma Carbon Sequestration Enhancement Act, the Oklahoma Carbon Program provides state-backed verification of carbon offsets, which supports a voluntary offset programs in agricu...
Massachusetts Clean Heat Report
This 2022 report from the Massachusetts Commission on Clean Heat (created in response to a 2021 Executive Order) recommends the creation of a Massachusetts Clean Heat Standard (CHS) and outlines progr...
Oregon Buy Clean Legislation
In March 2022, Oregon passed House Bill 4139, which will require state regulators to conduct life cycle assessments for select construction and maintenance materials used for public infrastructure pro...
Report, Deep Decarbonization in the Northeastern United States and Expanded Coordination with Hydro-Québec
In 2018, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network published a detailed road map for achieving the Northeast’s goal of reducing GHG emissions 80% or more below 1990 levels by 2050 while maintainin...
Connecticut’s Green Liberty Bonds
In July 2020, the Connecticut Green Bank brought to market about $16 million in Green Liberty Bonds. The bonds will have a $1,000 face value, an uncommonly low denomination that is intended to make th...
North Carolina Executive Order on Conservation and Reforestation
In February 2024, North Carolina’s governor signed an Executive Order that sets statewide targets for governments and private land-protection groups by 2040 to both “permanently conserve” 1 million ac...
Report, Mind the Regulatory Gap: How to Enhance Regional Transmission Oversight
This November 2024 report from RMI observes that trends in transmission spending have recently favored inefficient, lower-voltage local projects, as opposed to high-voltage, regional lines. The author...
Massachusetts’ Climate Tech Legislation
In November, 2024, Massachusetts enacted an economic development bill that includes a $400 million investment in climate tech initiatives and creates a new tax incentive program to support climate tec...
Washington’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Legislation
HB 5447 (2023) provides incentives for the production of “alternative jet fuel” in Washington. “Alternative jet fuel” is defined as a fuel that can be blended and used with conventional petroleum jet ...
Nevada’s AB465 (2019)
Nevada’s AB465 (2019) requires electric utilities to offer an expanded solar access program to residential customers and to certain nonresidential customers who consume less than 10,000 kilowatt-hours...
Report, Design Principles for a Renewable Gas Standard
ICF published a 2018 white paper exploring the regulatory and policy context for RNG, RNG supply, the costs associated with RNG production, and key considerations in the development of a Renewable Gas...
Washington’s GHG Performance Standards for Baseload Electric
In 2009, Washington adopted a GHG performance standard for new in-state baseload electric power generation utilities, codified at WAC 173-407-130 at 1,100 pounds CO2/MWh (based on expected emissions f...
Hawaii’s Benchmarking and Retrocommissioning Requirements
In addition to benchmarking requirements, Hawaii’s HB 1464 requires retrocommissioning on public buildings at least every five years.
LPDD Model Law: Requiring Cumulative Impact Analysis to Renew Permit of Covered Facility in an Environmental Justice Area
This model law addresses the issue of multiple pollution sources and environmental stressors affecting communities. A single source of pollution can cause severe health consequences, and when combined...
California Water Quality Control Policy for Power Plant Cooling
California established closed-cycle cooling systems as the benchmark technology for compliance with Clean Water Act Section 316(b), on power plant cooling water systems.
Colorado’s Gas Planning Pilot Communities
Colorado’s HB 24-1370 requires the Colorado Energy Office to identify five gas planning pilot communities. These communities will target neighborhood-scale alternatives projects, which will seek to de...
Hawaii Law Maximizing Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings
In July 2022, Hawaii adopted HB 1801, which requires and establishes deadlines for state facilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The Hawaii State Energy Office must collect ...
New York AB 7779
New York’s AB 7779 (2019) requires an annual state report on appliance and equipment energy efficiency standards and resulting energy and utility bill savings.
North Carolina’s Executive Order 80 (2018)
North Carolina’s Executive Order 80 (2018) directed an increase in the number of registered zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to at least 80,000 statewide by 2025. The State Department of Transportation w...
Arizona rules for repair of grade 3 pipeline leaks
Arizona is among a minority of states that have passed required timelines for repairing even pipeline leaks deemed “nonhazardous” (Grade 3). Arizona requires that pipeline operators repair underground...
Report, Creating an Economic Diversification Trust Fund
The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy published a 2012 report, Creating an Economic Diversification Trust Fund, which highlighted the potential of a natural resource trust to fund economic div...
LPDD Model Law: State Statute Providing Rebates for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and Hydrogen Refueling Stations
Emission-free hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) fueled by clean energy-hydrogen could play an important role in the decarbonization of the transportation system in the United States. This is especia...
New Jersey’s Clean Energy Act
On May 23, 2018 Governor Murphy signed the Clean Energy Act P.L.2018, c.17. The Clean Energy Act adopts several measures, including: Renewable Portfolio Standard: Requires 35% of the energy sold in th...
Oregon Bioenergy Tax Credit
Oregon offers a bioenergy tax credit for agricultural producers and collectors.
Report, Deep Decarbonization Roadmap for the Cement and Concrete Industries in California
This 2019 report offers a roadmap for decarbonization of California’s cement and concrete production, looking at the current status of cement and concrete production in California and developing scena...
Massachusetts’ Office of Energy Transformation and Advisory Board
In March, 2023, Massachusetts established the nation’s first office responsible for equitably accelerating the state’s gas-to-electric transition and readying the electric grid to meet the state’s cli...
Massachusetts’ Offshore Wind Portfolio
In April 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved 20-year contracts for 800 MW of offshore wind at 8.9 cents/kWh. This announcement was accompanied in May 2019 by a study from t...
Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law
Act 148 of 2012, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, bans food waste, including from households, from disposal in trash and landfills on July 1, 2020. Act 148 provides incentives to divert materials by...
Indiana Tax Incentives for Coal Gasification
Indiana Code Annotated 6-3.1-29-14 provides for a Coal Gasification Technology Investment Tax Credit.
California Bag Ban
In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 67, the statewide Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban. As a result, SB 270 is in effect and most grocery stores, retail stores with a pharmacy, convenience stor...
Massachusetts Original Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard
Massachusetts’ 2008 Green Communities Act originally named gasification facilities with carbon captures technologies as one of five eligible alternative energy sources under the state’s Alternative En...
ACEEE State EERS Database and Toolkits
ACEEE maintains a database of existing state EERS’s and recommends best practices. Their toolkits include model EERS language, guides to program construction, and progress reports on state experience.
New Hampshire’s SB 284
In 2019’s SB 284, New Hampshire established a statewide, multi-use online energy data platform, allowing consumers to monitor their energy usage and encourage energy efficient behaviors.
North Carolina’s Coal Ash Management Act
North Carolina’s Coal Ash Management Act (2013) requires Duke Energy to lead cleanup efforts at a variety of coal ash dumping sites and establishes a Coal Ash Management Commission to review and appro...
California’s Transformative Climate Communities Program
The Transformative Climate Communities Program, funded by cap-and-trade dollars, is a competitive grant program that gives resources to the most disadvantaged communities in the state to achieve major...
ACEEE Report, Building Electrification: Programs and Best Practices
This 2022 ACEEE report analyzes 42 programs to electrify buildings in the residential, multifamily, and commercial sectors and identifies trends, common approaches, and best practices. Though these pr...
Colorado’s Office of Environmental Justice
Passed in May, 2024, Colorado’s HB 1338 created the Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Public Health and Environment to coordinate environmental justice (EJ) work across governme...
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank was created in 2015 through bipartisan legislation. The legislation expanded the authority of the existing Clean Water Finance Authority to include the energy sect...
New Buildings Institute Model Stretch codes
The New Buildings Institute Model Stretch codes present jurisdictions with a set of energy-saving building strategies that cover building components such as envelope, mechanical, water heating, lighti...
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University was established in 1987 to conduct research designed to reduce the environmental harms of agriculture and to help promulgate sus...
Montana’s Value of Solar analysis
Some jurisdictions have engaged in Value-of-Solar type analysis with the effect of diminishing the value of solar energy produced below what it would have received under net metering, including Montan...
Connecticut RPS
Connecticut’s RPS includes run-of-river hydropower facilities that began operating after July, 1, 2003 and have a generating capacity of not more than 30 megawatts.
Vermont’s Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards
An update to the Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards was adopted on December 18, 2019, effective September 1, 2020. Key changes include a solar ready residential stretch code, tighten...
National Energy Codes Collaborative
ACEEE’s National Energy Codes Collaborative launched in May, 2024, with the goal of empowering states and jurisdictions to effectively and sustainably implement updated building energy codes. States a...
Virginia Adds Geothermal to RPS
Virginia’s SB508 (2024) makes geothermal heating and cooling systems located within the state eligible resources under the state’s renewable portfolio standard.
New York Soil Health Roadmap
This 2019 report includes background on the state of knowledge on soil health in NY, historical and current soil health efforts within and beyond NY, and key stakeholders and organizations involved in...
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Resources for the United States
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has prepared a summary of offshore wind resource potential, based on map estimates for the contiguous United States and Hawaii.
LPDD Model Law: State Income Tax Credit Legislation For Purchasing Used AFVs
This model state income tax credit legislation is designed to incentivize the purchase of used AFVs, by (i) helping maintain the resale value of AFVs and (ii) making used AFVs more affordable. The mod...
Delaware Law Allowing State-Sponsored EV Charging Equipment
In September 2021, the Delaware legislature adopted this Act to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in the State by creating more accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Specifica...
New York Green Bank
New York’s Green Bank was established in 2013 pursuant to a Public Service Commission order. Its product offerings include warehousing and aggregation credit facilities, term loans and investments, cr...
Rhode Island’s 100% Renewable Target by 2033
In June 2022, Rhode Island enacted H7277, requiring 100% of the state’s electricity demand be met with renewable energy by 2033. The legislation sets this target through revisions to the state’s exist...
Wisconsin’s RPS
Wisconsin’s RPS allows certain resources that produce a measurable and verifiable displacement of conventional electricity resources to also qualify as eligible resources, including solar water heater...
New Jersey’s A2371 (2020)
New Jersey’s A2371 (2020) amends the state RPS’s definition of “Class I renewable energy” to include methane gas from a biomass facility (provided that the biomass is cultivated and harvested in a sus...
California Executive Order on Zero Emissions Vehicles
California’s Governor signed a September 2020 executive order requiring sales of all new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035 and additional measures to eliminate harmful emissions from the ...
DOE Model Energy Savings Performance Contract
An Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) defines a project and establishes how it will be implemented during construction and how it will be managed through the entire term of the agreement, addr...
US Climate Alliance Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Challenge
The U.S. Climate Alliance, composed of 24 states representing 55% of the U.S. population and 60% of U.S. GDP, has committed to reducing short-lived climate pollutants, including HFC. The Alliance plan...
Report, A Role for State Attorneys General in a Just Transition
A 2022 report by the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center and the State and Local Enforcement Project at the Harvard Labor and Worklife Program considers how state attorneys genera...
California 2025 Building Energy Code
In September 2024, California regulators approved the latest edition of its building energy codes. The 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards encourage installing heat pumps in new homes and certai...
New Jersey Incentives for Reduced Diesel Emissions in Construction Projects
As part of New Jersey’s Stop the Soot campaign, the state installed a number of pollution-control devices on nonroad construction equipment used on selected NJ DOT projects. Executive Order 60 (2011) ...
California’s Refrigerant Management Program
California’s Refrigerant Management Program requires any owner-operator of a facility with stationary, nonresidential refrigeration systems using more than 50 pounds of high global warming potential r...
Wisconsin’s Act 89 on Highway Transmission Corridors
In 2003 Wisconsin passed Act 89, which established highway and railway corridors as the second priority corridors (after existing transmission corridors) for new transmission development.
ASHRAE and IECC Standards
In July 2021, The U.S. Department of Energy issued pre-publication Federal Register notice determining that the updated model building energy codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IE...
Colorado Order on Nitrous Oxide Management
In March 2023, Colorado’s governor promulgated an executive order requiring state agencies to develop regulations for cutting emissions of nitrogen oxides by 30 percent by the 2025 summertime ozone se...
Maryland Offshore Wind Portfolio
2019’s Clean Energy Jobs Act increased Maryland’s offshore wind target to 1600 MW by 2030. Maryland’s Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 permits wind project developers to receive financial support in t...
Delaware’s Code for Energy Conservation
Delaware’s Code for Energy Conservation requires the state’s Energy Officer to establish programs to promote the construction of zero net energy homes. By 2026, all new residential building constructi...
Governors’ Climate Ready Workforce Initiative
In September, 2024, the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, launched the Gove...
New Jersey’s Executive Order on Natural Gas Transition Proceeding
In February, 2023, New Jersey’s governor signed Executive Order No. 317, directing the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to plan for the Future of the Natural Gas Utility in New Jersey. The O...
Massachusetts Forest Cutting Practices Act
The Massachusetts Forest Cutting Practices Act regulates commercial timber cutting of wood products greater than 25,000 board feet on any parcel at a given time. The statute requires forest owners to ...
Washington’s defeated Initiative 1631
Washington’s ballot initiative 1631 was defeated in 2018 by a margin of 57% to 43%. It would have enacted a carbon emissions fee of $15 per metric ton of carbon beginning on January 1, 2020, and incre...
DOE Building Energy Codes program
DOE supports the Building Energy Codes program, supporting building energy code development, adoption, implementation and enforcement processes to achieve the maximum practicable, cost-effective impro...
Delaware’s Climate Change Solutions Act
The Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act (HB 99) establishes new climate targets, requiring the state to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. State agencies ...
Michigan DG Property Assessment Exclusion
Michigan’s Act No. 116 (2019) excluded certain types of distributed generation from the assessed value of property, deeming them part of “normal repairs, replacement, and maintenance.” Systems less th...
Maine LD 1679 (2019)
Maine’s LD 1679 effectively phases out fossil fuels from electricity production through the following actions: Establishes the Maine Climate Change Council to assist Maine to mitigate, prepare for and...
Maine’s EV Infrastructure Development Legislation
Maine’s LD347 (2021) requires transmission and distribution utilities to submit proposed rate schedules to promote EV infrastructure development and utilization. This bill requires each transmission a...
California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program
The SOMAH program will provide up to $100 million in rebates annually for the next decade to put solar on multifamily affordable housing in California, while allowing tenants to access the benefits. E...
Powering Up Californians Act
Facing challenges with the pace of building out the electric grid, California’s SB 410 requires the California Public Utilities Commission set target timelines for utilities to connect and upgrade cus...
Washington’s SNAP Regulation
Washington’s HB 1112 adopts as state law the content of EPA’s SNAP Rules 20 and 21.
Montana Tax Incentives for CCS
Montana Code Ann. § §15-24-3111 provides that carbon sequestration equipment, clean advanced coal research and development equipment, and coal gasification facilities for which carbon dioxide is seque...
Rhode Island’s Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006
Rhode Island’s Comprehensive Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2006 establishes a Least Cost Procurement mandate, requiring utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy effici...
Virginia’s Grid Transformation and Security Act (2018)
Virginia’s Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 aims to return money to utility customers, unwind an existing rate freeze, reform the oversight process for electric utilities, and establish a ...
Oregon’s HB 2021 (2021)
In June 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB2021 to require that retail electricity providers reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sold to Oregon consumers 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, ...
Colorado HB 1238 (2021)
The bill updates the methods used to determine the cost-effectiveness of demand-side management (DSM) programs of public utilities selling natural gas at retail, including requiring that the calculati...
NYSERDA Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority prepared a 2019 Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook to help local government officials understand and develop battery energy storage sy...
NJ’s A3723
New Jersey passed A3723 (2018) that sets New Jersey’s energy storage target at 2,000 MW by 2030.
Florida’s Solar Rights Law
Florida’s Solar Rights Law (Statutes 163.04) prohibits any covenant, condition or restriction that prohibits the use of solar energy.
Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council
The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council is the one-stop forum that determines compliance with state standards for renewable electric power plants with an average electric generating capacity of thir...
California Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Strategy
The California State Legislature passed a law in 2014, codified at at Cal. Heath and Safety Code §39730.5, directing the California Air Resources Board to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce sh...
Massachusetts Law Assessing EV Charging Rates
Among the many provisions of Massachusetts 2021 comprehensive transportation bill (H.5248), the state required utilities to study and present alternatives to traditional EV charging rate design. Tradi...
North Carolina’s Executive Order 246 (2022)
This January 2022 Executive Order directs North Carolina Cabinet agencies to consider environmental justice challenges when making decisions related to climate change and their response, such as how t...
California’s Proposed Bi-Directional Charging Bill
Approved by the State Senate in May 2023, SB 233 would ensure that new electric vehicles sold in California by 2030 have the capability to power the EV’s owner’s home or provide energy to the grid. Wi...
New York’s EV Charging Standards Bill for New Buildings
In March 2025, New York adopted a law directing the state energy conservation construction code to establish new standards for EV infrastructure in new buildings with off-street parking. Starting in 2...
Report, Advancing Equity through 100% Clean Energy: A Review of the Plans of 12 States
In February 2023, the Clean Energy States Alliance published a report reviewing the 100% clean energy plans of the 12 US states with published plans, and analyzing equity and environmental justice com...
California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program
The California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program provides qualifying purchasers up to a $7,000 rebate for the purchase or lease of new zero-emission or plug-in hybrid light duty vehicles.
US Composting Council Regulations Database and Model Rule
The US Composting Council catalogs composting regulations across a variety of states and large cities, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, NYC, Austin, and San Francisco. The ...
New Jersey’s proposed AB 4392
New Jersey’s proposed AB 4392 (2018) would have raised airline fuel taxes $0.04 per gallon on fuel purchased in New Jersey airports offering more than 20,000 commercial flights a year, using that reve...
Arizona Neighborhood Occupantless Electric Vehicle Legislation
Arizona’s SB 1333 (2022) regulates neighborhood occupantless electric vehicles — a self-propelled motor vehicle that: 1) is emission free; 2) has at least four wheels in contact with the ground; and 3...
Vermont’s SNAP Regulation
Vermont’s S30 stipulates that products containing certain HFCs prohibited by the EPA in SNAP Rules 20 and 21 would not be allowed in Vermont in new equipment for specific applications as of specific d...
Hawaii 100% Renewable Executive Order
In January 2025, Hawaii’s governor signed an Executive Order calling for the counties of Hawai’i, Kaua’i, and Maui to switch to 100% electricity production by 2035, and for O’ahu to reduce its electri...
New Jersey’s SCR 179
New Jersey legislators have proposed a ballot measure that would ask voters whether to amend the state’s constitution to ban new fossil fuel fired plants.
Massachusetts energy storage target
In accordance with H4568 (2016), Massachusetts’s Dept. of Energy Resources has adopted a target of 200 MWh of storage by 2020. In July of 2018, Massachusetts passed 4857, raising the state goal to 1,0...
Colorado’s SB 246 (2021)
The bill directs the PUC to establish energy savings targets and approve plans under which investor-owned electric utilities will promote the use of energy-efficient electric equipment in place of les...
Report, Next Generation Energy Efficiency Resource Standards Update
This report studies what are termed “next generation” elements of energy efficiency resource standards. Of the 26 states with an EERS, 23 (including DC) have next generation features to use the EERS t...
Buy Clean Colorado Act
The Buy Clean Colorado (BCCO) Act (C.R.S. 24-92-117) applies to State public projects for which the cost exceeds five hundred thousand dollars and for which an agency of government issues a solicitati...
Maryland Value of Solar analysis
Some jurisdictions have engaged in Value-of-Solar type analysis with the effect of diminishing the value of solar energy produced below what it would have received under net metering, including Maryla...
Kansas HB 2419
Kansas’ HB 2419 (2007) provides for income tax reductions and abatement of property taxes applicable to the power plant and the sequestration site for a generation project that sequesters CO2.
Arkansas Act 464
On July 24, 2019, Arkansas’ governor signed Act 464, which made fundamental changes to expand net metering in Arkansas. Key changes include: authorizing third-party leasing of net metering facilities,...
Connecticut’s HB 5002 (2019)
HB 5002 (2019) authorized the electric distribution utilities to own and rate-base wholesale storage generation assets for the first time since electric restructuring was authorized in 1998.
Virginia Transportation Board’s Project Prioritization System
The Virginia Transportation Board’s project prioritization system uses the potential to reduce GHG emissions as a factor in scoring projects so that they can be prioritized for inclusion in the state ...
New Jersey Solar Ready Requirement for New Warehouses
In November 2021, New Jersey enacted A3352, requiring all new warehouses containing 100,000 square feet or more to reserve at least 40% of its roof space for the future installation of a solar facilit...
IEA’s 2015 edition of Projected Costs of Generating Electricity
Discount rates are an important factor in determining the comparative value of nuclear power. The IEA’s 2015 edition of Projected Costs of Generating Electricity studied 22 countries and found that at...
Texas rules for repair of grade 3 pipeline leaks
Texas is among a minority of states that have passed required timelines for repairing even pipeline leaks deemed “nonhazardous” (Grade 3). Texas requires pipeline operators to repair Grade 3 leaks wit...
LPDD Model Law: State Legislation for the Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) involves capturing carbon dioxide at power plants, refineries, petrochemical plants, cement plants and other sources, compressing the carbon dioxide and transpor...
Washington State Energy Code
The Washington State Energy Code (2016) adopts 2015 International Energy Conservation Code for residential and commercial buildings, with state-specific amendments. The WSEC establishes a goal of 70 p...
ACEEE Report, Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: A Progress Report on State Experiences
This 2014 ACEEE report tracks the progress of the 26 states with EERS policies in place as to determine whether they are meeting annual targets, and also examines complementary policy mechanisms that ...
Massachusetts’ Neighborhood Net Metering and Community Shared Solar programs
Massachusetts’ Neighborhood Net Metering and Community Shared Solar programs (originally passed as part of An Act Relating to Green Communities, 2009) allows multiple customers to engage with a common...
Delaware RPS
Delaware’s RPS includes hydroelectric facilities that have a maximum design capacity of 30 megawatts or less.
Vermont Fluorescent Tube Ban
A first-in-the-nation policy in Vermont phasing out most fluorescent tube lights in favor of LEDs points the way for other states to reduce energy costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and mercury pollutio...
Connecticut Siting Council
Approval by the Connecticut Siting Council does not automatically preempt local siting regulation, but there are statutory deadlines for local decision making and any aggrieved party may appeal a loca...
North Dakota Rules Regarding Pore Space
In 2009, SB 2139 prohibited surface property owners from severing title to the subsurface pore space, although the surface owner may lease the pore space. In 2009, SB 2095 established permit requireme...
Michigan Smart Thermostat Giveaway
Consumers Energy, a Michigan-based utility, Google and Uplight will provide Google Nest thermostats to up to 100,000 households, while automatically enrolling these customers in a demand response prog...
Texas Rules Regarding Pore Space
In 2009, SB 1387 established the criteria under which the Railroad Commission of Texas may issue a permit for CO2 injection for geologic storage. In addition to health and safety criteria, there is a ...
Utah’s Energy Resource Procurement Act
Utah Code Ann. §54-17-602(1)(a) provides that 20% of Utah’s adjusted electricity sales should be from qualifying electricity or renewable energy certificates by 2025. Utah Code Ann. §54-17-601 defines...
Ohio Power Siting Board
The Ohio Power Siting Board has exclusive jurisdiction over the siting of all wind energy facilities over 5 MW. Clear statutory language preempts local ordinances from regulating the siting, construct...
California’s proposed SB 687
Proposed SB 687 would have established a Renewable Gas Standard requiring an average carbon intensity reduction of one percent in 2020, increasing to 10 percent in 2030.
LPDD Model Law: Identifying and Mitigating Cumulative Impacts in Environmental Justice Areas
This model law aims to curb the development of new polluting facilities in frontline communities where residents are disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and exposed to toxic pollutants ...
Louisiana statute permitting eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
In 2009, HB 661 authorized parties injecting CO2 for geologic storage projects approved by the Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation to expropriate surface rights and other property interests to buil...
Report, Energy Storage for a Modern Electric Grid: Technology Trends and State Policy Options
This 2021 primer from the National Conference of State Legislatures is designed to assist state lawmakers in understanding how energy storage technologies work, the benefits that storage can deliver t...
New York’s Climate Superfund Act
New York’s 2024 Climate Change Superfund Act establishes a climate change adaptation cost recovery program to require companies that have contributed significantly to the buildup of climate-warming gr...
Colorado SB 181
Colorado’s SB 181 (2019) requires that the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission revisit its existing rules and consider stricter requirements with respect to leak detection and repair, pipeline inspect...
Minnesota Order Establishing Carbon Costs in Resource Plans
Minnesota Statute § 216B.2422 Subdivision (3)(a) directs the PUC to “quantify and establish a range of environmental costs associated with each method of electricity generation,” which utilities are d...
Rhode Island’s Executive Order 20-01 (2020)
In January 2020, Rhode Island’s governor signed an executive order setting a goal for the state to source all of its electricity from renewable resources by the end of 2030. The order directs the stat...
California Dairy Digester Research and Development Program
The Dairy Digester Research and Development Program provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In its 2...
Ohio’s Fugitive Emissions Regulations
Ohio’s fugitive emissions regulations require operators to test and monitor for any fugitive emissions taking place at a well site on a quarterly basis, develop a leak detection and repair program, an...
California SB 1440
California’s SB 1440 requires the state’s PUC to consider adopting specific biomethane procurement targets or goals for each gas corporation. The bill would require the PUC to take certain actions in ...
LPDD Model Law: State Law to Divert Food Waste from Landfills
This model state legislation lays out a framework by which states can divert food waste from landfills to eligible processing facilities (including industrial-scale composters) or onsite composters. T...
New York’s Environmental Permitting In Disadvantaged Communities Legislation
In December 2022, New York State passed legislation to ensure that cumulative impacts are taken into consideration in the State’s environmental permitting processes when potentially polluting faciliti...
New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act increased the ambition of the state’s Renewable Portfolio standard to target 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-...
Wyoming Pipeline Corridor Initiative
The Wyoming Pipeline Corridor Initiative is a proposal that would designate approximately 1,150 miles of BLM-managed lands in Wyoming for CO2 pipelines. The WPCI proposal designates a statewide pipeli...
ABA Model Solar Access Law
Working under the ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, the law firm Fulbright & Jaworski crafted model solar energy access legislation in 2010, which covers all forms of solar energy a...
Forest Action Plan Database
The National Association of State Foresters catalogs the state forest action plan and best management practices for every state.
Hawaii’s Energy Resources Code 196-7
Hawaii’s Energy Resources Code 196-7 prohibits all covenants, conditions or restrictions from preventing a homeowner from installing solar energy, and moreover requires all homeowners associations pro...
Virginia Offshore Wind Portfolio
In November 2018, Virginia’s State Corporation Commission approved two 6 MW offshore wind turbines. The $300 million project will be funded through existing base rates. While the Commission opined tha...
Maryland’s Clean Trucks Act of 2023
In April 2023, Maryland passed the Clean Trucks Act of 2023. The Act requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to adopt regulations by December that establish sales targets for manufacturers...
New Jersey Community Choice Aggregation
NJ Stat. Ann. §48:3-92 through §48:3-95 establishes the rules for government energy aggregation programs. Community Choice in the Garden State came into being in 1999 as part of the electricity deregu...
Report, The True Value of Solar
Energy America has written a report summarizing the grid and social benefits that are essential to capture in a value of solar analysis.
RAP primers on net metering alternatives
The Regulatory Assistance Project has presented background primers on Value of Solar analysis and the options being considered as alternatives to net metering.
Pollinator-Friendly Solar Scorecards
Fresh Energy maintains a database of states that have published pollinator-friendly solar scorecards, both through state law and otherwise, as well as their own state-neutral scorecard.
South Carolina’s Base Load Review Act
South Carolina’s Base Load Review Act (2007) allowed utilities to recover costs of financing nuclear construction, provided it passes a prudency review of pre-construction costs. The Act is popularly ...
Wyoming Eminent Domain Rules for CO2 Pipelines
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-26-814 holds that CO2 pipeline companies may exercise eminent domain authority to obtain easements required for constructing, operating, and maintaining their pipelines.
Connecticut’s Performance-Based Regulation Order
In April 2023, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) issued a Final Decision as part of its investigation into a Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) framework for the state’s ele...
California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative
California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative is a statewide attempt to overcome problems related to transmission planning and costs, private and public land use issues, and environmental impa...
California’s Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan
The California Public Utility Commission’s Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan calls for 50% existing commercial buildings to be zero energy by 2030, new state buildings and major renovations z...
Colorado’s SB72 (2021)
Colorado SB72 creates the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA) and also requires state utilities to join an RTO by 2030, unless the PUC finds it is not in the public interest or cannot find...
National Standard Practice Manual for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources
Of special interest to jurisdictions considering revising tariffs for distributed energy resources or valuing efficiency or electrification initiatives, in August 2020 the National Energy Screening Pr...
Washington’s Advanced Clean Truck and ZEV Regulations
In November 2021, Washington State adopted California’s more protective vehicle emission standards for new vehicles – starting with model year 2025 and later. This rulemaking expands Washington’s vehi...
Renewable Fuels Roadmap and Sustainable Biomass Feedstock Supply for New York State
NYSERDA’s 2010 report (and 2012 update) estimates the sustainable level of woody biomass that could be harvested from forests in New York on an annual basis and used for the production of biofuels, bi...
C2ES Database on Clean Vehicle Policies and Incentives
C2ES maintains a state-by-state database of clean vehicle policies and incentives, containing a general subject matter overview, brief descriptions of state policies, and links to relevant documentati...
California’s Proposed Climate Corporate Accountability Act
This first-of-its-kind legislation would require U.S-based corporations that do business in California and earn more than $1 billion in annual revenue to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissio...
Virginia guidelines for local renewable energy ordinances
In March 2011, the Virginia legislature enacted broad guidelines for local ordinances for solar and wind, requiring that they must: be consistent with the Commonwealth Energy Policy; provide reasonabl...
RMI Reports on Just Transitions for Coal Communities
In October 2022, RMI released two reports on the economic transition of coal communities. The first report, Coal Community Transition Policy in Action, analyzes 16 bills passed by states since 2011 to...
California’s SNAP Regulation
California SNAP is comprised of a regulation by CARB and Senate Bill 1013, also known as the California Cooling Act. Both the CARB HFC Regulation and SB 1013 took effect January 1, 2019. These policie...
New Jersey’s A-3723 and Implementing Order
2018’s A-3723 requires each utility to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce electricity usage by 2 percent and natural gas usage by 0.75 percent annually. In 2020, NJ’s PUC issued an order r...
Maine PACE program
Maine signed PACE legislation into law in April 2010, authorizing municipalities to establish a loan program to provide financing for clean energy improvements to property owners via local ordinance. ...
Maryland’s Geothermal Pilots Law
Maryland’s geothermal pilots law, enacted in May 2024, requires gas utilities serving more than 75,000 customers to develop proposals for network geothermal pilot projects by July 1, 2025. The proposa...
Massachusetts Emergency Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation
In December 2021, to further reduce transportation emissions and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection filed emergency regul...
Connecticut’s SB356
This bill directs the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to use available federal or other funds to establish an energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The program must a...
Washington’s Office of Renewable Fuels Legislation
In April 2022, Washington adopted SB 5910, establishing the statewide Office of Renewable Fuels within the Department of Commerce to support renewable fuel and electrolytic hydrogen development. The O...
Report, California Feebate: Revenue Neutral Approach to Support Transition Towards More Energy Efficient Vehicles
This 2017 UC Davis report explores the possibility of California imposing fees to less fuel efficient vehicles and smaller rebates to more fuel efficient cars and trucks. The goal of the proposed prog...
NYSERDA smart grid development funding
Throughout 2019, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has put forward funding opportunities for advancing smart grid development in waves, including a $15 million Future Grid C...
NYSERDA Clean Thermal District Systems Program
NYSERDA has been authorized to administer a $15 million program to support development and demonstration of low-carbon Clean Thermal District Systems installations. This program will drive exploration...
California’s Single-Use Plastics Ban
In June 2022, California adopted a law requiring all plastic packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032. Among its other tenets, the law requires by 2032 plastic producers must reduce the amoun...
California Low Carbon Fuel Standard
California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard is the first state-level standard designed to shift transportation fuels away from high-carbon petroleum. It establishes separate standards for gasoline and diese...
Illinois Eminent Domain Rules for CO2 Pipelines
In 2011, SB 1821 identified procedures for the Illinois Commerce Commission to authorize the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines, including through the exercise of eminent domain authority to acq...
ASHRAE’s Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits
ASHRAE publishes Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits. These standards describe three levels of energy audits, which are frequently cited in defining the scope of a required energy audit.
Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices
The National Efficiency Screening Project provides a Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices. The purpose of the DSESP is to provide information regarding state cost-effectiveness screening p...
LPDD Model Law: State Law to Simplify Permit Requirements for Distributed Solar
This model law is targeted at reducing the various “soft costs” associated with the installation of residential solar facilities, such as the expenses associated with obtaining permits, inspections, a...
Rhode Island’s Power Sector Transformation proceeding
In 2017, Rhode Island’s governor requested the PUC embark on a Power Sector Transformation proceeding. The PUC responded with a Phase One report later that year identifying work to be done developing ...
ACEEE Report, Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions through State Freight Planning
This 2020 report examines how state freight planning could help increase the efficiency of the freight network, including through streamlined truck operations and greater use of trains and ships. As s...
California rules for energy sales to adjacent properties
California permits sales from a customer-generator to a customer on an adjacent property so long as the wires do not cross a public road.
New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee
New Hampshire’s site evaluation committee is responsible for certifying wind energy facilities with capacities over 30 MW. The committee must find that the facility “will not unduly interfere with the...
California Off-Road Mobile Source Regulations
California has promulgated regulations for a variety of nonroad sources, including tractors, excavators, dozers, portable generators, and sweepers are required to meet emission standards. These repres...
Oregon’s SB 1547
Oregon’s SB 1547 boosted the state’s renewable energy mandate to 50 percent renewables by 2040. Section 28 of SB 1547 requires the Oregon Public Utility Commission to establish a program for the procu...
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