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Accelerate the transition to clean electricity through renewable energy, grid modernization, energy storage, utility regulation, and electricity-sector emissions policies.

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865 resources

Example Local Governments

Seattle’s solar zoning

Seattle’s Municipal Code (2010) allows solar collectors specifically to exceed height restriction by several feet and provides unique setback requirements.
Resource Congress

EDF/RFF Report, Enabling Fairness for Energy Workers and Communities in Transition

A March 2021 report from the Environmental Defense Fund and Resources for the Future compiles findings from a series of reports that unpack existing US and European policies related to just transition...
Example Public Utilities

MI Power Grid Proceeding

MI Power Grid is a focused, multi-year stakeholder initiative at the Michigan PUC to maximize the benefits of the transition to clean, distributed energy resources for Michigan residents and businesse...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Las Cruces NM Solar Regulations for Historic Buildings

The Las Cruces Code allows for the installation of solar panels in a way that does not damage the integrity of historic sites. The solar panels must preserve the aesthetic of the building and be rever...
Example Foreign

Ontario’s Bruce Nuclear Power Station

Ontario uses a contract for differences methodology to support lifetime extensions at the Bruce nuclear station. The price of the electricity output from the fleet of units is adjusted according to th...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Protected Avian Species Permitting

Electric infrastructure that is critical to achieving a net zero economy may impact federally protected avian species. To encourage construction of this infrastructure, project developers prefer certa...
Resource Congress

Proposed Environmental Justice for All Act (2020)

This proposed 2020 federal bill establishes an Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement to help identify and address the disproportionate burden federal actions ha...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

IRENA report, Nurturing Offshore Wind Markets

IRENA’s 2017 report, Nurturing Offshore Wind Markets, emphasizes international standardization of offshore wind regulation in order to harmonize requirements and enable global scale-up of offshore win...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed Energy Storage Promotion and Deployment Act of 2015

Under the proposed Energy Storage Promotion and Deployment Act of 2015, large retail electric utilities would have needed to meet at least 1 percent of their peak demand from storage by 2021. By the e...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s ZEC program

Under its Clean Energy Standard, New York established a ZEC program for struggling nuclear plants based on the difference between the social cost of carbon and existing electricity prices. New York’s ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Giving Landowners the Power: A Democratic Approach for Assembling Transmission Corridors

Gerstle’s 2014 article, Giving Landowners the Power: A Democratic Approach for Assembling Transmission Corridors, provides several innovative land-assembly alternatives to the traditional eminent doma...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Local Governments

Community Solar Policy Decision Matrix

The Coalition for Community Solar Access has authored a matrix intended to lead policymakers through important questions in the community solar development process, with factors grouped into five cate...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Energy Policy Act of 2005

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides a useful model for how Congress or states might overcome local governments obstructing the development of renewable energy facilities. Its provisions on the siti...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Private Entities

Maine’s Distributed Generation Procurement Program

Maine’s P.L. 2019 c. 478 and Chapter 312 of the PUC rules require the PUC to undertake a series of procurements of DG projects to meet statutory targets for distributed renewable projects. Customers m...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed Energy Storage for Grid Resilience and Modernization Act of 2016

The proposed Energy Storage for Grid Resilience and Modernization Act of 2016 would have given a 30% tax credit to energy storage, equivalent to renewable energy tax support.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

Washington Fracking Ban

Washington became the fourth state to ban fracking with the passage of SB 5145 (2019).
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Foreign

Report, Nuclear Power Plant Life Management and Longer-term Operation

The OECD’s 2006 report, Nuclear Power Plant Life Management and Longer-term Operation, outlines safety aspects of plant life management, technical limitations, and implications for nuclear capacity te...
Example Executive Branch

DOE’s Proposed Distribution Transformer Efficiency Rule

In December 2022, DOE proposed new energy-efficiency standards for distribution transformers aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and potentially saving consumers approximately $15 billion over 3...
Example Public Utilities

California IRP Proceedings on Climate Targets, Energy Mix

In February 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a 35 million metric ton (MMT) 2032 electric sector greenhouse gas planning target, which is more stringent than the previous...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Local Governments

LA Oil and Gas Well Ban

In January, 2022, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban new oil and gas wells and phase out existing wells over a period of five years. The council declared oil wells “non-conforming” with the cit...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

Tucson Electric Power’s DER investments

Tucson Electric Power signed an agreement with NextEra Energy to build a 100 MW solar array and a 30 MWh battery system, expected to provide solar power at less than $0.03/kWh by the end of 2019.
Resource Executive Branch

Eminent Domain, Inc.

Lehavi and Licht’s 2007 Columbia Law Review article, proposes a novel replacement for eminent domain, the Special-Purpose Development Corporation (SPDC), which would acquire unified ownership of the l...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 established budgetary penalties against the Army Corps of Engineers for failing to meet deadlines established in a centralized permitting schedul...
Resource Local Governments

Pace report, local model ordinances on wind permitting

The Pace Energy and Climate Center has published a suite of local model ordinances addressing the various siting and permitting requirements for wind energy.
Resource Congress

Proposed Clean Energy Innovation and Deployment Act of 2020

This proposed 2020 Congressional legislation: Would provide financial support for RD&D into long-term energy storage and carbon storage infrastructure, among other things. Would enact a federal Clean ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC report, Hydroelectric Licensing Policies, Procedures and Regulations

In 2001, FERC concluded a comprehensive investigation of the hydropower licensing process, titled Hydroelectric Licensing Policies, Procedures and Regulations: Comprehensive Review and Recommendations...
Example Public Utilities

California Time of Use PUC decision

California. After a series of pilots, California’s PUC adopted a decision (2018) guiding the state’s three major investor-owned utilities to roll-out time of use rates across the state. The move is ex...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example Public Utilities

X-Cel Energy’s Time-of-Use Pilot

Minnesota’s PUC approved a time-of-use pilot program proposed by X-Cel Energy expected to drive greater use of renewables and reduce peak demand. The two-year, 17,500-customer plan is intended to use ...
Example Private Entities

DoubleGreen Solar Loan Program

The DoubleGreen Solar Loan is designed to serve households regularly marginalized by existing financing options by offering lower interest rates, longer loan lengths, transparent terms, and more flexi...
Resource Foreign

Report, Real People, Real Change

The International Institute for Sustainable Development published a 2018 report, Real People, Real Change, which highlights political and communications strategies for a just transition, building on r...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Charlotte NC Green Power Procurement

In 2020, Charlotte NC approved a resolution to meet a quarter of its municipal building electricity needs with solar power. The unanimously approved agreement allows the state’s largest city to buy th...
Example Local Governments

Richmond CA Coal Storage Ban (2020)

Richmond’s coal storage ordinance (2020) gives businesses three years to wind down coal and coke storage operations. In practice, the ordinance will directly affect only one Richmond business, Levin-R...
Example States and State Governments

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
Resource Foreign

IEA report, Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy System

Chapter Five of the IEA’s latest nuclear report, Nuclear Power in a Clean Energy System, emphasizes policy mechanisms necessary to keep existing nuclear online and spur investment in new nuclear, incl...
Example Executive Branch

SEC Guidance Regarding Disclosure Related to Climate Change

The SEC promulgated a 2010 interpretive release on disclosure requirements related to climate change, requiring that companies disclose risks from decreased demand for carbon-intensive goods and servi...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

California Natural Gas Transition Proceeding

In January 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission launched a new rulemaking to regulate the state’s transition away from natural gas, addressing issues related to stranded assets and unfair ...
Example States and State Governments

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”...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Rural Electrification 2.0

Members of the RE-AMP Network published a 2019 report, Rural Electrification 2.0, which investigates pathways for coal plant transition at rural electric cooperatives in the Midwest, including bailout...
Resource Private Entities

Report, Guidance for Utilities Commissions on Time of Use Rates

A team of consumer and clean energy advocates authored a 2017 paper, Guidance for Utilities Commissions on Time of Use Rates, making recommendations on developing policy goals, program design, impleme...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Pumped Storage: 5 Misperceptions About Licensing

The 2017 Water Power Magazine article, 5 Misperceptions About Licensing, surveys the extent to which mandatory licensing requirements apply to pumped storage projects.
Example Executive Branch

EPA’s Cumulative Impacts Addendum

In January 2023, EPA released a new playbook for confronting the onslaught of pollutants in low-income and minority communities across the country. The Cumulative Impacts Addendum informs how the fede...
Resource Public Utilities

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

California NEM 2.0 Proceeding

In this proceeding (R1407002), various utilities filed plans to reduce net metering (NEM) below retail electricity rate remuneration for distributed power sent to the grid. In an order on January 28, ...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii’s Time of Use Rates Requirements

In October 2022, Hawaii became the first state to generally approve time of use rates for utilities across its territory. The rate structure will encourage people to shift consumption away from the mo...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Amending CZMA to Facilitate Offshore Renewables Permitting

This model document proposes potential amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to facilitate the permitting of offshore renewable energy facilities. The first part of the document provid...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE’s Voluntary Code of Conduct

In 2015, DOE issued a Voluntary Code of Conduct on data privacy and the smart grid, articulating principles to address concerns that an individual’s energy consumption data not be disclosed in a manne...
Resource Congress

Report, Building a Foundation for Sustainable Infrastructure

This 2020 report from the Institute for Policy Integrity surveys the risks of climate change and challenges to US infrastructure development. It argues that, given the enormous magnitude and diversity...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Private Entities

Report, Stranded Assets: A Climate Risk Challenge

The Inter-American Development Bank released a 2016 report, Stranded Assets: A Climate Risk Challenge, which offered best practices for managing investments with environmental risks, conducting risk a...
Resource Congress

Report, The Economic Case for Greening the Global Recovery through Cities: 7 priorities for national governments

Cities have been at the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also offer an opportunity to accelerate the transition to a resilient, equitable and low-carbon future. This paper explores seven p...
Example Local Governments

San Jose solar permitting standards

In response to California’s Solar Permitting Efficiency Act, San Jose adopted photovoltaic permit requirements (2016) that can approve a project in as little as one-day, and could become a nationwide ...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Emerging Opportunities in Planning for U.S. Gas System Decarbonization

RMI and National Grid offer this May 2024 report surveying the use of non-pipeline alternatives (NPAs) and integrated energy planning (IEP), of special significance for states planning the phaseout of...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s HB 623

In June 2015, Hawaii enacted HB 623, a law requiring all electric power to come from renewable sources by 2045.
Resource Executive Branch

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Regulations for Coal and NG Power Plants

In April 2024, EPA issued final carbon pollution standards for power plants that CO2 limits for new gas-fired combustion turbines and CO2 emission guidelines for existing coal, oil and gas-fired steam...
Resource Congress

Proposed Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act of 2015

The proposed Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act of 2015 would award temporary adjustment assistance to workers of adversely affected coal-related industries who are totally or partially separated...
Resource Congress

2017’s proposed Keep It In the Ground Act

2017’s proposed Keep It In the Ground Act would have amended the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit BOEM from authorizing the exploration or production of oil, natural gas, or any other fos...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s intervenor funding mechanism

New York’s intervenor funding mechanism is not uncommon in that not all intervenors are eligible for intervenor funds. Only “municipal and local parties” are eligible, where eligible “local parties” i...
Example Local Governments

Oakland Coal Storage Ban

In 2016, Oakland passed Ordinance No. 13385, prohibiting the rail transportation of coal and petcoke for export overseas through the rail-to-ship terminal under development at the West Gateway of the ...
Resource Congress

The Inflation Reduction Act

New: The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and Environmental Defense Fund are announcing the launch of an additional resource on the Inflation Reduction Act Tracker website: the IRA litigation case ...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Illinois Legislation on Permitting Small Modular Reactors

Illinois passed a law in November, 2023, that would allow companies to develop new nuclear power generation in the state for the first time since 1987. House Bill 2473 does not entirely lift the 36-ye...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Independent System Operators (ISOs) & Carbon Pricing: An Explainer

This 2020 report from Climate Xchange surveys the policy options for carbon pricing at the Independent System Operator (ISO) level. ISOs coordinate real-time electricity flow, ensure fair competition,...
Resource Congress

Carbon Tracker Reports on Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

A June 2020 report, It’s Closing Time, explains how the oil and gas industry is legally obligated to plug and abandon (P&A) wells, but it hasn’t set aside the resources to do so. The paper notes that ...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Connecticut’s Acceptable Components of Utility Fixed Charges

In 2015, Connecticut passed a law defining acceptable components of a utility fixed charge as the fixed costs, operations and maintenance expenses that are directly related to metering, billing, servi...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Colorado Energy Office Low-Income Community Solar Demonstration Project

Colorado’s Low-Income Community Solar Demonstration Project saw the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) administer a $1.2 million grant to implement the development of eight demonstration models throughout C...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

California Time-of-Use Rates Order

A 2015 Commission Order established time-of-use rates across California by 2019. California’s time-of-use rates apply to all commercial, industrial and agricultural customers by default, while residen...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE report, Powering the Blue Economy

DOE’s 2019 report, Powering the Blue Economy, highlights eight markets where MHK technology can be tested and developed while providing high value, including ocean observation, underwater vehicle char...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Order 1000

In Order 1000, FERC imposed on all public utility electric transmission providers the need to develop regional transmission plans. Those plans must consider non-transmission options as well as transmi...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE report, Pumped Storage and Potential Hydropower from Conduits

DOE’s 2015 report to Congress, Pumped Storage and Potential Hydropower from Conduits, reviews potential actions to increase hydropower production from existing conduits, including resource assessment,...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Private Entities

Model Green Investment Obligations Clause

The Chancery Lane Project, a collaborative effort of UK lawyers to develop new contracts and model laws to help fight climate change, has published a model amendment to standard non leveraged investme...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

CDP Disclosure Services

CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Each year CDP supports thousands of c...
Resource Congress

Great Plains Institute report, Opportunities to enable interstate coordination & cooperation in support of transmission infrastructure build-out in the Midwest

A 2011 Great Plain Institute report surveys key actions and policy mechanisms for supporting interstate coordination and cooperation to achieve transmission infrastructure, and includes model language...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

SEIA report, Getting More Granular

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.
Example Public Utilities

Arizona Carbon-Free 2050 Utility Target

Throughout 2020, the Arizona Corporation Commission developed plans for an update to the state’s Renewable Energy Standard that would require utilities to fully decarbonize their electricity supply by...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

ARPA-E energy storage innovation funding

In May 2018, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) committed up to $30 million in funding for long-term energy storage innovation. The funding went to the Duration Addi...
Resource Local Governments

ELI report, Siting Wind Facilities on State Owned Lands and Waters

The Environmental Law Institute’s report, Siting Wind Facilities on State Owned Lands and Waters, addresses best practices in building renewables on state trust lands, state conservation lands, and st...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Addressing Climate Change Without Legislation

UC Berkeley School of Law’s publication, Addressing Climate Change Without Legislation, proposes that through FERC’s authority over electricity rates, power contracts, and utility planning, as well as...
Example States and State Governments

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...
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Tens: Distributed Renewable Energy

For those in search of a shortcut through the vast LPDD database, we're proud to highlight a subset of our most useful pathways for state and local government leaders on distributed renewable energy.
Resource Local Governments

APA report, “Planning for Wind Energy”

The American Planning Association’s Planning for Wind Energy provides an overview of the wind siting process, as well as a checklist for ordinances, elements of successful a utility-scale wind project...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Congress

Report, Strategy, investment and policy for a strong and sustainable recovery: An action plan

This briefing paper, produced by the London School of Economic’s Centre for Economic Performance and Grantham Research Institute, sets out the key areas where strong economic policies and institutions...
Resource Congress

Report, The Social Cost of Carbon in Taxes and Subisidies

Columbia’s Center of Global Energy Policy has published an analysis of recent efforts to use the SCC as a direct value for taxes and subsidies applied to economic activity with a negative or positive ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Tens: Electricity Charges, Mandates, and Subsidies

For those in search of a shortcut through the vast LPDD database, we're proud to highlight a subset of our most useful pathways for state and local government leaders on electricity charges, mandates,...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example Local Governments

Cleveland OH Wind Zoning

Cleveland OH’s Zoning Code § 354 permits wind energy facilities by-right.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Private Entities

Report, Reporting for a Secure Climate: A model disclosure for upstream oil and gas

The Carbon Tracker Initiative has prepared a 2019 report on model disclosures for upstream oil and gas, noting that current accounting and disclosure practices offer investors little visibility over t...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Carbon Pricing in Wholesale Electricity Markets: An Economic and Legal Guide

The Institute for Policy Integrity’s 2020 report explains how such carbon-pricing rules in organized wholesale electricity markets can improve economic efficiency. It then explores the economic princi...
Example Executive Branch

FERC Order 2023

In 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released Order No. 2023, directing transmission providers to improve their interconnection processes, primarily by instituting a first-ready fi...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Guidance for Utilities Commissions on Time of Use Rates

A team of consumer and clean energy advocates authored a 2017 paper, Guidance for Utilities Commissions on Time of Use Rates, making recommendations on developing policy goals, program design, impleme...
Resource Congress

IEA report, Flexible hydropower providing value to renewable energy integration

IEA’s 2019 report, Flexible hydropower providing value to renewable energy integration, provides a global perspective on the need for flexibility to enable renewable integration and hydropower’s capab...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example Public Utilities

Sacramento Time of Use Pilot

Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Time of Use Pilot (2012) was a multi-year pilot testing three time variant plans. Notably, the study found net benefits doubled when including a critical peak p...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Congress

Telecommunications Act of 1996

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provides a useful model for how Congress or states might overcome local governments obstructing the development of renewable energy facilities. It imposed constraint...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP reports on Utility Reform and Integrated Planning

The Regulatory Assistance Project has prepared a report, Leading Utility Regulatory Reform, highlighting key elements of a successful reform process (including scoping, creative process elements, stak...
Resource Foreign

Canada’s Just Transition Task Force Final Report

The government of Canada’s Just Transition Task Force issued a 2018 Final Report, which makes ten recommendations on what Canada could include in a just transition plan for coal workers and communitie...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Congress

National Academies Papers on the Cost of Carbon

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published a 2016 Assessment of Approach to Updating the Social Cost of Carbon (downloadable with free account), the lead measure by which f...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Advanced Light Water Reactors Utility Requirements Document

Among other historical nuclear standards, EPRI-URD has produced a 2014 technical design standard for small modular light water reactors.
Example Public Utilities

PG&E Joint Proposal on Shutting Down Diablo Canyon

A 2016 PG&E joint proposal to retire the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant provides one model of a just transition. The agreement outlines: a severance program for 1500 employees; a retention program ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

White House Ocean Climate Action Plan

In March 2023, the White House Ocean Policy Committee released an Ocean Climate Action Plan (OCAP). The plan sets three overall goals: creating a carbon-neutral future; accelerating nature-based solut...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Best Practices in Utility Integrated Resource Planning

The Regulatory Assistance Project prepared a 2013 report, Best Practices in Utility Integrated Resource Planning, which describes IRP requirements in three states, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon, which...
Example Local Governments

Breckenridge, CO Solar Zoning for Historic Districts

Breckenridge, CO allows for the installation of solar panels only where it will not be detrimental to the character of the historic building. The code requires solar panels to be installed in a way so...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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-...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Charlotte Shared Streets Initiative

The City of Charlotte launched the Charlotte Shared Streets initiative to support social distancing and pedestrian/bicycle safety during the COVID-19 crisis. Shared Streets are streets that are tempor...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

Energy Policy Act of 2005

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a program to support the expansion of hydropower at existing dams and impoundments through incentive payments. Congress funded this program in 2014 and 2016. ...
Example Public Utilities

Ohio’s PowerForward Collaborative

Ohio’s PowerForward Collaborative is an overarching grid modernization group led by PUCO staff. The Collaborative functions as an interactive forum to monitor and facilitate the evolution of a marketp...
Example Local Governments

Colorado Springs Renewable Energy Program

Colorado Springs Renewable Energy Program offers rebates of $0.25 per watt for solar systems, and up to 40% of total system costs could be covered by rebates and tax credits.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed American Miners Act of 2019

The proposed American Miners Act of 2019 would transfer certain funds to provide pension and health benefits for retired coal miners who have been affected by issues such as coal company bankruptcies.
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Report, Green Stimulus for Oil and Gas Workers: Considering a Major Federal Effort to Plug Orphaned and Abandoned Wells

Resources for the Future and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs authored this 2020 report examining the potential to boost US employment in the oil and gas workforce whil...
Resource Public Utilities

IREC’s BATRIES Toolkit

In March 2022, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) published its BATRIES Toolkit, which provides solutions to eight regulatory and technical barriers to the interconnection of energy storag...
Example Public Utilities

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative investments in DER

Hawaii’s Kauai Island Utility Cooperative signed contracts for 13 MW of solar and a 52 MWh battery with Solar City in 2015. In 2017, the Cooperative announced plans to purchase a 28 MW solar array and...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

NY Utility Climate Risk Disclosure Proceeding

On October 15, 2020, the NYS Public Service Commission opened this proceeding to consider requiring investor-owned utilities to annually disclose what risks climate change poses to their companies, in...
Example Public Utilities

XCel Energy Time of Use pilot

Minnesota’s PUC approved a time-of-use pilot program proposed by X-Cel Energy expected to drive greater use of renewables and reduce peak demand. The two-year, 17,500-customer plan proposed by XCel En...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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-...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Michigan’s Model Zoning Guidelines for Large-Scale Wind Systems

Michigan State University has updated a series of model zoning guidelines for large-scale wind systems originally drafted by the state’s Energy Office. The guidelines are designed for rural applicatio...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Technical Conference regarding Carbon Pricing in Organized Wholesale Electricity Markets (Sept. 2020)

At a September 2020 FERC Technical Conference, legal experts agreed that FERC does have the legal authority to implement a carbon price. Under sections 206 and 205 of the Federal Power Act, FERC has t...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

DC Order on System Level Energy Data

In June 2020, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission issued an order directing utilities to make system-level energy data available on their websites and improving data access for resident...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE’s Grid Modernization Initiative’s 2015 Quadrennial Technology Review

The DOE’s Grid Modernization Initiative’s 2015 Quadrennial Technology Review provides a survey of the state of the nation’s interconnected grids, the challenges to achieving higher renewable penetrati...
Resource Executive Branch

NREL report: Solar Development on Contaminated and Disturbed Lands

NREL has prepared a 2013 report, Solar Development on Contaminated and Disturbed Lands, which examines the prospect of developing utility-scale solar power on degraded and environmentally contaminated...
Example Public Utilities

Illinois Value of DER Proceeding

In April 2020, the Illinois Commerce Commission voted unanimously to initiate an investigation into an annual process and formula for calculating rebate values for customers with solar, wind or other ...
Example States and State Governments

Utah House Bill 430

In 2009, Utah enacted House Bill 430 to provide incentives to develop renewable energy projects that include nuclear generation facilities.
Example Public Utilities

Tucson Electric Power’s Time-of-Use Rate

Tucson Electric Power in Arizona received received approval for a new optional time-of-use rate which became the default rate for new customers starting in January 2019.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Fifty States Reports

The Fifty States Reports produced by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center track, among other things, utility rate cases across the country to give a national snapshot of ratemaking trends.
Resource Private Entities

Report, The Adoption of New Smart Grid Technologies

The Rand Corporation’s 2015 report, The Adoption of New Smart-Grid Technologies, includes case studies of policy successes as well as a chapter on policy levers that jurisdictions can use to advance t...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC’s Order 1920 on Transmission Planning

In May 2024, FERC issued Order 1920 on long-term transmission planning and cost allocation. The rule will require transmission operators to conduct and periodically update long-term regional transmiss...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

California Distribution Resources Plan process

Acting under Public Utilities Code section 769, the California PUC required its three major investor-owned utilities to file distribution resources plans by July 1, 2015, identifying optimal locations...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

FWS’s Land Based Wind Energy Guidelines

The Fish and Wildlife Service’s Land Based Wind Energy Guidelines (2012) breaks down how the Endangered Species Act’s requirements impact the siting of wind farms.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Distributed Power Plant Model Law and Model Tariff

“Virtual power plants” (VPPs) are an alternative to traditional grid upgrades, in which a utility aggregates various distributed energy resources (including rooftop solar, backup batteries, electric v...
Resource Congress

Proposed Clean Energy Standard Act of 2019

The proposed Clean Energy Standard Act of 2019 would establish the federal Clean Energy Standard and a CES credit trading market, incentivize development and deployment of zero-emission technologies, ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Authorizing Joint Reviews Under NEPA and ESA

Environmental review and permitting of electric infrastructure—including renewable power generation facilities, electric transmission and distribution infrastructure, and electric storage facilities—i...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC’s proposed Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule

The proposed Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule (82 Fed. Reg. at 46940) would have required system operators to develop pricing guidelines for “grid reliability and resiliency resources,” with a focus on pr...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Evaluating Beneficial Impacts Under NEPA

Under current law, the potential benefits of projects necessary to achieve a decarbonized economy may not be fully disclosed in the NEPA process. NEPA is the process through which agencies consider th...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Federal Fossil Fuels Leasing Reform Act

The U.S. Geological Survey determined in 2018 that fossil fuel production from the public lands and Outer Continental Shelf of the United States accounted for nearly 24 percent of U.S. contributions t...
Resource Executive Branch

Final Guidance for Federal Depts. on Consideration of GHGs in NEPA Reviews

The Council on Environmental Quality issued final guidance in 2016 on considering GHG emissions and climate change in NEPA reviews. This guidance was withdrawn by the Trump Administration in 2017.
Example Public Utilities

MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Portfolio

In July 2022, the Midwest Independent System Operator’s board approved a $10.3 billion transmission plan that could support about 53 GW of wind, solar, hybrid and stand-alone battery projects found in...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy report, Getting Right-of-Way Right

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy’s 2013 paper, Getting Right-of-Way Right: Landowner Compensation for Electric Power Transmission Rights of Way, reviewed alternate compensation methods for landown...
Example Private Entities

Climate Action 100+

Climate Action 100+ is an investor initiative to pressure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. The companies targeted by this initiative inclu...
Resource Congress

2017’s Proposed HR 3043

2017’s proposed HR 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act, would have directed FERC to consider the significant investment of project upgrades and improvements when establishing the new license...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

NYC’s operational standard for wind turbines

The Administrative Code of the City of New York enumerates operational standards for small and large wind turbines within the City, including design standards, maintenance, noise, and physical appeara...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example Public Utilities

New York Order on Incorporating Climate Impacts Into System Planning

In a 2014 Order, the New York Public Service Commission indicated that “[t]he State’s utilities should familiarize themselves with scientists’ projections for local climate change impacts on each serv...
Resource Executive Branch

NARIS Study

NREL’s 2021 North American Renewable Integration Study (NARIS) models potential features of an integrated US-Canada grid capable of achieving an 80% reduction in carbon emissions through multiple path...
Resource Public Utilities

CAISO’s Transmission Planning Analysis

CAISO, the California independent system operator, based its draft 2018-19 transmission planning analysis around Renewables Portfolio Standard compliance. In addition to the state’s 50% by 2030 policy...
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts Net Metering Revisions

In February 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an order revising the state’s Net Metering Program regulations to allow for municipal and state-owned facilities to take advan...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Order 1000

FERC Order 1000 imposed on all public utility electric transmission providers the need to develop regional transmission plans. Those plans must consider non-transmission options as well as transmissio...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Laramie WY solar and wind zoning

Laramie’s Code of Ordinances (2017) allows for both solar and wind energy systems in all zoning districts, with no exceptions for homeowners association restrictions. These codes provide relaxed stand...
Resource Executive Branch

NRC Advanced Reactor Licensing Guidance

In April, 2024, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a new advanced reactor licensing guidance that could “significantly reduce the regulatory uncertainty” for non-light water reactors submitti...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, UNLOCKING AMERICA’S ENERGY: How to Efficiently Connect New Generation to the Grid

The generator interconnection approval process has become a major barrier in recent years. The surge of generator interconnection requests has overwhelmed existing processes, causing major delays and ...
Resource Private Entities

Report, Prospects for Gas Pipelines in the Era of Clean Energy

Rocky Mountain Institute published a 2019 report that found that, by 2035, over 90 percent of currently proposed combined-cycle gas plants, if built, would be uneconomic to run compared to the cost of...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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.
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Harvard’s Federal Environmental Justice Tracker

This tracker follows regulations, policies, and other federal actions that affect communities’ exposure to environmental pollution, including public health protections for workers, pollution standards...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Maine model ordinance for wind energy

Maine’s state planning office developed a detailed model ordinance for wind energy facilities, including definitions for different types of wind energy facilities based on output.
Resource Congress

Proposed American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009

The proposed American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 would have replaced state transmission siting altogether with regional siting entities operating in conjunction with the Department of the Int...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Seattle’s Healthy Streets Pilot

Seattle, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, adopted a Healthy Streets pilot that shut down 20 miles of streets in order to allow pedestrians and cyclists more room to move while socially distancing...
Example Congress

Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (2018) calls for a cost-sharing grant program to help advanced reactors pay for the lengthy licensing process.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Transportation Electrification Partnership Federal Stimulus Proposal

The Transportation Electrification Partnership has published a $150 billion federal stimulus proposal, urging Congress to make investments in the nation’s transportation infrastructure in direct respo...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Tuoro Law Center’s Model Ordinance and Resource Guide on Zoning for Small- and Medium-Scale Wind Energy

The Tuoro Law Center has prepared a Model Ordinance and Resource Guide on Zoning for Small- and Medium-Scale Wind Energy. The report provides citations to examples of existing wind energy zoning in Ne...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Foreign

Report, Shaping an Inclusive Energy Transition

This 2020 study from Guidehouse and Cambridge economics looks at the distributional effects of EU climate policy and makes recommendations on steering policy towards a just transition. It combines eco...
Resource Congress

Proposed STORAGE 2013 Act

The proposed STORAGE 2013 Act would have given storage systems a 20 percent investment tax credit for systems above 1-MW/1-MHw and a 30 percent tax credit for smaller 1-kw/5-kWh systems.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Private Entities

Report, Implementing TCFD: Strategies for Enhancing Disclosure

C2ES hosted two workshops in 2019 on improving climate-related financial disclosures consistent with the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). This br...
Example Local Governments

Georgetown TX renewable energy incentives

Georgetown, TX’s Code of Ordinances (2012) offers multiple incentives for renewable energy, including rebates for the installation and purchasing of equipment needed to install solar systems. Rebates ...
Example States and State Governments

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, ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

McCall ID’s Density Bonuses for Renewable Energy Installations

McCall provides a 10% bonus to density if 50% of the total energy needs of the development are provided by “solar, wind, geothermal, or [an] alternative renewable energy source.”
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Local Governments

Ashland OR’s solar access permit law

Ashland OR’s Municipal Code 18.4.8 establishes a procedure for a obtaining a solar access permit to protect a solar energy system from vegetation that would shade the collector.
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, A New Way Forward on Climate Change and Energy Development for Public Lands and Waters

Anticipating a change in Presidential Administration, this 2020 report from the Institute for Policy Integrity describes immediate and longer-term actions that Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Private Entities

PRI’s Climate Disclosure Guidance

The Principles for Responsible Investment is an investor initiative that provides guidance on assessing environmental and climate related risks. They have authored a technical guide on applying the Ta...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii Performance-Based Regulation and Integrated Grid Planning proceedings

On April 18, 2018, the Public Utilities Commission of Hawaii (PUC) opened a Performance-Based Regulation proceeding to investigate the economic and policy issues associated with performance-based regu...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Report, Build a Better Future for Coal Workers and Their Communities

The Brookings Institute’s 2016 report, Build a Better Future for Coal Workers and Their Communities, reviews the challenges facing the coal workforce and the case for significant federal investment in...
Resource Executive Branch

Executive Order 14008

EO 14088, one of the first Executive Orders signed during the Biden Administration, has been hailed as “a mini Green New Deal” in effect. It has several disparate provisions aimed at climate and clima...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example Executive Branch

DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office

DOE’s Water Power Program funds both hydropower and MHK resources. Their technology development areas include MHK R&D, MHK technology-specific system design and validation, reducing barriers to MHK te...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Proactive Grid Planning Proceeding

In August, 2024, the New York State Public Service Commission commenced a proceeding to evaluate new energy loads from transportation and building electrification to proactively identify and develop f...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

DOE Grants for Advanced Nuclear Research

In 2017, DOE announced nearly $67 millionin grants awarded towards advanced nuclear energy research from a series of funding programs, including $37 million to support university-led nuclear energy re...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Report, International Standardization of Nuclear Reactor Designs

A 2010 World Nuclear Association report, International Standardization of Nuclear Reactor Designs, includes recommendations for how governments and regulators can encourage design standardization in n...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

The Roosevelt Project

The Roosevelt Project was launched in 2020 out of the MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research to provide an analytical basis for charting a path to a low carbon economy in a way that p...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed Climate Equity Act (2020)

Proposed 2020 legislation would: Require relevant legislation receive an equity score that is both quantitative and qualitative to estimate the impact on frontline communities. This equity score would...
Example Public Utilities

NYISO Market Rules for Energy Storage

In September 2020, the New York Independent System Operator announced the final step in a years-long process to open the NYISO’s wholesale energy markets to Energy Storage Resources (ESRs). This devel...
Resource Public Utilities

Eversource MA Geothermal District Heating Proposals

Eversource MA has proposed three different pilot projects to Massachusetts regulators in order to prove that networked geothermal systems — connecting a variety of residential and commercial establish...
Resource Executive Branch

New FERC Transmission Planning Proceeding (2021)

In July 2021, FERC launched docket RM21-17-000, a rulemaking on high-voltage transmission planning, and said it is seeking comments about how it could change or enhance existing transmission regulatio...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems Model Ordinance

This document is intended to provide guidance to local governments considering developing an ordinance or rules related to the development of utility-scale battery energy storage systems. The recommen...
Example Local Governments

Report, Planning for a Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery

Boston City Councilwoman Michelle Wu outlined a 49-page plan that includes a sweeping rezoning of the city to increase neighborhood density, build cheap cooperative housing and add parks. It envisions...
Example Public Utilities

National Grid RI’s Advanced Metering Developments

In November 2017, National Grid filed a plan to implement an opt-out time varying rates program by 2022. In August 2018, the Commission requested further development of the advanced metering functiona...
Example Public Utilities

Mississippi’s Upfront Distributed Solar Incentive

The Mississippi Public Service Commission has approved a new net metering rule creating a $3,500 incentive for residents who install rooftop solar, per a July 2022 order. According to the new rule, at...
Example Local Governments

D.C.’s Healthy Homes and Residential Electrification Amendment Act

In April 2024, the DC Council approved a Healthy Homes and Residential Electrification Amendment Act, which sets DC on a course to replace fossil-fuel powered appliances and home heat with electric ap...
Example Local Governments

Los Angeles County Oil and Gas Well Ban

Following a similar measure in the City of Los Angeles, in January 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors officially approved an ordinance to prohibit new oil and gas wells and phase out cu...
Example Executive Branch

FERC policy statement on pumped storage in transmission markets

FERC issued a 2017 policy statement affirming that storage resources (including pumped storage) can serve as transmission assets, and therefore receive multiple revenue streams in organized markets.
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts’ Grid Mod Investment Order

The Dept. of Public Utilities issued a 2018 Order authorizing utilities to make $220 million in investments in grid modernization technologies over three years to upgrade their distribution systems to...
Example Public Utilities

NESCOE Statement on Wholesale Market Reform

NESCOE, a not-for-profit entity that represents the collective perspective of the six New England Governors in regional electricity matters, issued an October 2020 memorandum calling for reform of the...
Example Public Utilities

Tucson Time of Use rate

Tucson Electric Power in Arizona received received approvalfor a new optional time-of-use rate which became the default rate for new customers starting in January 2019.
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Siting Considerations Related to Population for Small Modular and Non-Light Water Reactors

The NRC published a draft document on Siting Considerations Related to Population for Small Modular and Non-Light Water Reactors, reviewing the state of advanced small modular nuclear technology and c...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii’s Major Project Interim Recovery Mechanism

In a 2013 Order, the Hawaii Public Service Commission created the Major Project Interim Recovery Mechanism, which incentivizes utilities to invest in infrastructure that enables renewable generation b...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

Telecommunications Act of 1996

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provides a useful model for how Congress or states might overcome local governments obstructing the authorization of transmission. It imposed constraints on the appr...
Example Local Governments

East Greenwich NJ’s Solar Zoning in Historic Districts

East Greenwich NJ’s zoning code allows solar panels and wind turbines to be constructed in a historical district if the use conforms to setback and height restrictions.
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example Local Governments

Vernon CT’s tax exemption for renewable energy systems

Vernon CT’s Code of Ordinances (2011) provides a tax exemption for the value of a renewable energy system attached to property that exceeds the amount of such property with conventional energy systems...
Example Local Governments

Boulder CO’s SmartGridCity Project

Xcel Energy embarked on a large-scale project known as SmartGridCity in 2008, including installing two- way fiber-optic communication technology and smart meters for one quarter of the population. The...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Model Code for Geothermal Permitting on Long Island

The Suffolk County Planning Commission (SCPC) decided to develop a fast-track permitting process for geothermal systems as it had previously implemented for solar and wind systems. The final code was ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Mississippi IRP Process

In 2019, the Mississippi Public Service Commission adopted a formal integrated resource planning process that requires utilities to consider distributed energy resources and demand-side management (in...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

DC’s Solar for All Program

The Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Amendment Act of 2016 (D.C. Law 21-154) established the District of Columbia’s Solar for All program. Pursuant to the Act, Solar for All is funded by the Ren...
Resource Private Entities

Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative

The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner, in line with global efforts ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

ADVANCE Act

The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act (“ADVANCE Act”) was passed by Congress in June 2024 as part of the Fire Grants and Safety Act. The ADVANCE Act aims to s...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Public Utilities

PJM Carbon Study

PJM, an independent system operator in the mid-Atlantic states, has proposed to study the effects of a carbon price on wholesale markets in tandem with the carbon pricing discussion being advanced by ...
Resource Local Governments

Pace Resource Guide on Land Use Planning for Solar Energy

The Pace Land Use Law Center has published a Resource Guide on Land Use Planning for Solar Energy, which describes how a municipality may authorize a task force, engage the community, and adopt local ...
Example Public Utilities

Nebraska Public Power District’s Fossil Phaseout Resolution

In December 2021, Nebraska became the 20th state to commit to 100% clean electricity by 2050, via a 9-2 vote by the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Board of Directors. The NPDD Board joins the O...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon Constrained World

A 2015 MIT study, The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon Constrained World, assessed that current regulatory systems are flexible enough to accommodate licensing of advanced reactor designs. It reco...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE report, New Stream-reach Development: A Comprehensive Assessment of Hydropower Potential in the United States

DOE’s 2014 report identifies approximately 65 GW of new stream reach hydropower development at more than 3 million U.S. streams.
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

California Interconnection Rules Update

In mid-March, the California Public Utilities Commission approved new interconnection rules that take into account how, with the right structures in place, solar and solar-plus-battery systems can ben...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE report, An Assessment of Energy Potential at Non-Powered Dams in the United States

DOE’s report, An Assessment of Energy Potential at Non-Powered Dams in the United States, assesses the energy potential at the US’s 80,000+ non-powered dams, which provide a variety of services rangin...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Look Before You Lease

The Institute for Policy Integrity’s 2020 report, Look Before You Lease, argues that the federal government currently fails to account for option value in its public land management processes, resulti...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii Proceeding To Investigate Distributed Energy Resource Policies

On September 24, 2019, Hawaii’s PUC opened proceeding 2019-0323 to investigate the technical, economic, and policy issues associated with DER as they pertain specifically to Hawaiian Electric Company ...
Example Public Utilities

Connecticut’s Framework for an Equitable Modern Grid

In 2019, Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority approved the framework for a plan to modernize the electric grid. PURA outlined its vision for the next several years, including a framework ...
Resource Private Entities

Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures

The Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures published a 2017 report providing guidance to organizations in how to assess climate-related risks and opportunities, and develop climate-relate...
Example Foreign

Richmond BC’s Alexandra District Energy Utility

Richmond, British Columbia, established the city-run Alexandra District Energy Utility to provide geothermal heating and cooling through Bylaw No. 8641 (2010). The Alexandra District Energy Utility is...
Example Public Utilities

Connecticut’s Innovative Energy Solutions Program

In March 2022, Connecticut regulators approved a new Innovative Energy Solutions (IES) program to accelerate the state’s grid modernization efforts by facilitating partnerships among private companies...
Example Congress

Congressional Appropriations for Nuclear Energy Research

Congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2019 approved $1.33 billion in funding for DOE’s nuclear energy research, development and deployment programs, an increase of $121 million over fiscal 2018...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed HR 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015

Proposed HR 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, would have prescribed requirements for: (1) concurrent federal and state hydropower license application reviews, (2) i...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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,...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Federal Reserve Guidance on Climate Risks to Large Banking

In December, 2022, the Federal Reserve released draft guidance that could push major banks to manage the financial threats of a warming world. The proposed guidance would apply to lenders with more th...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Private Entities

Low Impact Hydropower Institute

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to reducing the impacts of hydropower generation through the certification of hydropower projects that have committ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power Coal Divestment

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reduced its coal consumption by 25% in 2016 with the divestiture from the Navajo Generating Station, part of a plan to divest from all coal sources by 202...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Exempting Renewables on Brownfields from CERCLA Liability

This model legislation provides liability protections under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for wind and solar energy developers on contaminated site...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Bay City MI Code on Solar in Historic Districts.

The Bay City Michigan Code approves of solar systems in historic districts and provides guidelines for the installation of solar panels on rooflines. The historic district commission must approve any ...
Example Public Utilities

FPL SolarTogether

In March 2020, Florida Power & Light Company got approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to launch FPL SolarTogether, the largest community solar program in the country at the time of laun...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

CPUC Closure of Mohave Coal Facility

The closure of the Mohave coal facility provides an example of a just transition secured solely under PUC authority. CPUC considered the impacts of closing a Mohave coal facility on the nearby Hopi an...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Resources: Electricity Sector

For states and localities participating in EPA’s CPRG Technical Assistance Forums, we’ve compiled a brief list of top resources in the Electric Power Sector. modelclimatelaws.org is an extraordinarily...
Example Executive Branch

HydroWIRES

DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office has launched a new grid research initiative—Hydropower and Water Innovation for a Resilient Electricity System (HydroWIRES)—to understand, enable, and improve hyd...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco’s Resolution to Divest from Coal and Tar Sands Insurers

San Francisco passed a resolution in 2018 to screen municipal insurers for investments in and underwriting of coal and tar sands projects and to end relationships with insurers that do not have a full...
Example Executive Branch

FERC Order 745

FERC Order 745 ensured that cost-effective demand response resources in an RTO or ISO’s territory must be compensated at the locational marginal price.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Executive Branch

Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Rule

In April 2024, the Dept. of Energy finalized the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) rule, which gives transmission developers a new option for a streamlined federa...
Resource Congress

Report, Powering the Future: An Inclusive National Clean Energy Standard with Negative Emissions Technologies

This May 2020 note from the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law puts forward the framework for a national Clean Energy Standard that can effectively incorporate negative emissions technologies while...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

NY Smart Home Rate Demonstration Projects

As part of the Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding, the NY PSC has approved several utilities to conduct Smart Home Rate demonstration projects. The projects will combine smart home capabilities wi...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Enhancing the Social Benefits of Regulatory Review

The Institute for Policy Integrity’s 2020 report, Enhancing the Social Benefits of Regulatory Review, focuses on potential reforms through the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at th...
Model Law States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

NYSERDA reports, New York Solar Guidebook and Wind Energy Guidebook

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has published a New York Solar Guidebook for Local Governments, which includes chapters on best practices in utilizing Special Use Permits ...
Example Executive Branch

RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative

The US EPA has established the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative to encourage and facilitate the development of renewable energy on disturbed lands. EPA has developed an online mapping tool that h...
Example Public Utilities

MISO’s 2032 Projections

MISO, the independent system operator for the Midwest US and Manitoba, studied various energy scenarios in its 2032 projections, including an Accelerated Fleet Change scenario that presumed regional c...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: CERCLA Liability Limitation for Renewable Energy and Carbon Capture

This model law would amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601-28, to limit liability for persons who own, operate, lea...
Example Public Utilities

California Order Streamlining Transmission Permitting

In January 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted a decision to make it easier and faster to approve and build electric transmission projects and related grid upgrades in California....
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Stoughton WI small wind ordinance

Stoughton’s Code of Ordinances (2009) provides specific setback and height requirements for small wind energy systems.
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example Local Governments

Los Angeles’ 2035 100% Clean Energy Target

In September 2021, the Los Angeles City Council voted to transition to 100% clean energy by 2035. The LA100 plan would see the LA Dept. of Water and Power, the nation’s largest public utility, replace...
Resource Congress

Proposed RECLAIM Act of 2017

The proposed RECLAIM Act of 2017 would provide $1 billion dollars over five years to restore abandoned coal mines to something like their natural state, while also scaling up economic diversification ...
Resource Congress

Proposed Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act (2020)

Note: Elements of this proposed legislation overlap substantially with the LPDD Model Law, published Sept. 2020, Model Amendments to the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, which would require all sh...
Resource Congress

Proposed Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act of 2009

The proposed Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act of 2009 would have allowed DOE to designate “national renewable energy zones,” based on locations that are capable of generating more t...
Example Public Utilities

National Grid’s Voluntary Time of Use Rate for EVs

National Grid offers its NY customers a voluntary time-of-use rate for charging electric vehicles during the off-peak hours of 11pm to 7am. Most EVs can be programmed to charge during these hours usin...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Foreign

Carbon Brief Green Recovery Legislation Tracker

Carbon Brief’s Green Recovery Legislation Tracker tracks dozens of proposed and enacted international laws promoting green recovery in the COVID-19 context.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

FERC rule on pumped storage in RTO and ISO markets

In 2018, FERC issued a final rule to allow energy storage resources (including pumped storage) to more fully participate in organized electricity markets by removing barriers to these resources in the...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013

The Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-23) increases from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which FERC may exempt from its license requ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

America’s Water Infrastructure Act

The America’s Water Infrastructure Act, among other things, requires expedited review and decision-making on proposed projects at non-powered dams.
Example Local Governments

Austin TX’s RPS

Austin TX’s RPS goal is 65% of electricity consumption from renewables by 2025, which is among the most ambitious targets in the country. Within the RPS, the City Council approved a solar carve-out in...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Hartford CT Renewable Energy Zoning

Hartford permits building-mounted solar and roof-mounted wind energy systems as an accessory structure by right within all jurisdictions, subject to use-specific regulations. Freestanding wind and sol...
Example Public Utilities

PJM carbon pricing study

PJM, an independent system operator in the mid-Atlantic states, has proposed to study the effects of a carbon price on wholesale markets in tandem with the carbon pricing discussion being advanced by ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

FERC policy statement on pumped storage in transmission markets

FERC issued a 2017 policy statement affirming that storage resources (including pumped storage) can serve as transmission assets, and therefore receive multiple revenue streams in organized markets.
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Newberry, FL Solar Zoning in Historic Districts

Newbury FL’s zoning code provides that land development regulation administrator may issue a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of solar panels on historic buildings; and that solar p...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Pricing Do’s and Donts

The Regulatory Assistance Project’s publication, Pricing Do’s and Don’ts, documents the impact of rate design on efficiency investments and supports the conclusion that even he costs of power plants, ...
Example Local Governments

DC’s Law 22-257 (2019)

DC’s Law 22-257 (2019) increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 100% by 2032, and establishes a solar energy standard post 2032. In terms of qualifying resources, DC’s RPS allows for solar therma...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Building a New Grid Without New Legislation: A Path to Revitalizing Federal Transmission Authorities

This 2020 report from the Institute for Policy Integrity holds that, in the absence of legislation, critical long-distance transmission can be developed by applying existing federal legal authorities....
Resource Local Governments

Bedford NY’s Solar Zoning Provisions

The Town of Bedford, New York allows solar energy collectors by-right in all districts. The solar energy collectors are designated as accessory buildings and structures and must comply with the buildi...
Resource Local Governments

Massachusetts DOER Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems

The Massachusetts Dept. of Energy Resources prepared 2014 model zoning and accompanying guidance in order to assist Massachusetts cities and towns in establishing reasonable standards to facilitate de...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Coal Fair Market Value Act

This model law amends the definition of “Fair Market Value” (FMV) under which the federal government may lease land for coal projects, forcing the winning bidder to account for more potential revenues...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

New York Natural Gas Transition Proceeding

In March 2020, the New York Public Service Commission launched a natural gas planning proceeding to harmonize the state’s natural gas policies with the ambitious climate goals of the CLCPA. The commis...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

FERC Order 890

FERC Order 890, Preventing Undue Discrimination and Preference in Transmission Service, required that non-generation resources be evaluated on a comparable basis to services provided by generation res...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Congress

Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (2018) called for construction of a fast neutron source for testing advanced technologies. The U.S. currently lacks such a facility, forcing companies to...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

NYC’s geothermal screening tool

NYC’s Local Law No. 6 directed the city to develop a screening tool for determining whether a geothermal system may be cost-effective for a property.
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Public Utilities

ACEEE report, Integrated Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Programs

According to a 2019 ACEEE report analyzing 44 electric utility filings across the country, very few utilities optimally deploy energy efficiency or demand response programs. The report examines barrie...
Example Local Governments

Stoughton WI Renewable Zoning

In 2018, Stoughton WI enacted a local ordinance that allows solar and wind energy production, by-right, in every zoning district. The systems must comply with regulations and limitations set forth for...
Resource Public Utilities

RMI’s Performance Incentive Mechanism Database

Performance Incentives Mechanisms (PIMs) are an evolving tool in the utility regulator’s toolkit, whereby regulators may link utility earnings to achieving certain system or social goals, such as incr...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Community Distributed Generation program

New York’s Community Distributed Generation program (2015) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, non-utility-owned DG system up to 5 MW, using solar, wind, or certain other renewables def...
Resource Local Governments

NYSERDA Model Solar Energy Local Law and Solar Guidebook for Local Governments

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has prepared a Model Solar Energy Local Law inform local officials on the processes of installing, operating, maintaining and decommissioni...
Resource Congress

Proposed HR 8 of 2015

Proposed HR 8 of 2015, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, would have (among other things) authorized FERC to extend license terms beyond 50 years when approving a project upgra...
Example Executive Branch

Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan designated multiple uses and protections for a 22.5-million acre portion of the California desert, including 388,000 acres for renewable energy developmen...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Managing Climate Risk in the Financial System

In 2020, a report commissioned by the Commodity Future Trading Commission, the federal regulators overseeing the nation’s commodities markets, concluded that climate change threatens U.S. financial ma...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Bipartisan Policy Center report, Policies for a Modern and Reliable U.S. Electric Grid

The Bipartisan Policy Center released a 2013 report proposing a new federal backstop siting authority for transmission, allowing FERC to approve multistate transmission projects if a state siting auth...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco’s solar incentives

San Francisco’s Environment Code (2017) offers a series of incentives for residential installation of solar panels, including a rebate up to $500.00 per kWh. If the panels are installed by an individu...
Resource Local Governments

ELI report, State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local Government Role

The Environmental Law Institute’s 2011 report, State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local Government Role, addresses state and local responsibilities for siting wi...
Resource Local Governments

NARUC report, Wind Energy & Wind Park Siting and Zoning Best Practices and Guidance for States

NARUC’s 2012 report, Wind Energy & Wind Park Siting and Zoning Best Practices and Guidance for States, summarizes the wind energy siting and zoning practices in all 50 states and the District of Colum...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland Fracking Ban

In 2017, Maryland became the first state with proven gas reserves to pass a law banning fracking.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Resources for the Future Reports on Social Cost of Carbon

Resources for the Future coordinate economists and scientists to improve the science behind estimates of the SCC. They have published a range of briefs, reports, and testimony on improving utilization...
Resource Congress

Report, Exploring the Role of Advanced Nuclear in Future Energy Markets

EPRI’s 2018 report, Exploring the Role of Advanced Nuclear in Future Energy Markets, developed a modeling study to inform nuclear R&D, future modeling research, and technology developers’ priorities a...
Example Executive Branch

Vermont’s Small Hydropower Assistance Program

Vermont’s Act 165 (S.148) directs the state to enter into a MOU with FERC to simplify the regulatory review process for small hydropower projects. After consulting with Colorado on their experience co...
Resource Congress

2017’s Proposed S. 1460

2017’s proposed S. 1460 would have reformed the hydropower licensing and permitting program by statutorily designating FERC as the lead agency, for purposes of NEPA review, for all licenses and permit...
Resource Congress

Report, The Climate Case for a National Investment Authority

This August 2020 Data for Progress report discusses the creation of a National Investment Authority (NIA): a public entity that would design, execute, and finance a comprehensive nationwide program of...
Resource Private Entities

ELPC handbook on Community Wind Financing

The Environmental Law and Policy Center has prepared a handbook on Community Wind Financing, guiding project champions and developers through best practices on financing community wind projects, inclu...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

FHWA Guidance on Rights of Way for Renewable Projects and Transmission

While states must coordinate their use of federal interstate rights of way with the Federal Highway Administration, that agency has already instructed states to put that land to use for “clean energy ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed Nuclear Powers America Act of 2019

The proposed Nuclear Powers America Act of 2019 would establish a 30 percent tax credit for refueling costs and qualified nuclear power plant capital expenditures each year through 2023. After that, i...
Resource Congress

Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act

The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act has been introduced several times in Congress in recent years. It would open more federal land to renewable development, expedite environmental review...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Order 2222

In September 2020, FERC issued Order 2222, paving the way for aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) to compete alongside traditional power plants and other grid resources in wholesale markets...
Example Foreign

New Zealand’s Climate Risk Disclosure Requirements

Under New Zealand legislation announced in September 2020, large financial institutions would be required to report annually on governance, risk management and strategies for mitigating climate change...
Resource Executive Branch

White House Action Plan and Guidance Memo on Permitting

In May 2022, the White House released the Biden-Harris Permitting Action Plan, aiming to accelerate federal permitting of infrastructure projects. The Action Plan outlined five approaches, including c...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Report, A Low Cost Energy Future for Western Cooperatives

The Rocky Mountain Institute published a 2018 report, A Low Cost Energy Future for Western Cooperatives, which estimated that the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, (a partnership of 4...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland RPS

Maryland’s RPS includes small hydroelectric power plants of less than 30 megawatts.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

Report, An 80×30 Clean Electricity Standard: Carbon, Costs, and Health Benefits

While federal lawmakers discussed the potential for passing a national clean energy standard (CES) in 2021, the Clean Energy Futures group issued a report that analyzes the energy, economic, environme...
Example Local Governments

Winder GA’s property tax exemption for solar

Winder’s Code of Ordinances (2017) exempts from property tax assessment all tangible property used for solar energy heating or cooling, consisting of equipment used to manufacture of solar energy syst...
Example Public Utilities

California PUC’s Intervenor Compensation Program

The California PUC’s Intervenor Compensation Program allows qualified parties in proceedings before the Commission to request compensation for their participation (allowable fees and costs), including...
Resource Executive Branch

SEC Rules on Climate Disclosure (Updated March 2024)

In March, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules requiring publicly traded companies to disclose financial risks to their investors caused by climate change and efforts to addr...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Hawaii PUC’s 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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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, ...
Example Executive Branch

FERC Order 890

FERC Order 890, Preventing Undue Discrimination and Preference in Transmission Service, required that non-generation resources be evaluated on a comparable basis to services provided by generation res...
Resource Foreign

Report, Blueprint for Europe’s Just Transition

This 2019 report lays out the principles and strategies for a Green New Deal for Europe. Its scope comprises three distinct institutions: A Green Public Works investment program. An Environmental Unio...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

California Grid Data Reliability Order

In October, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a decision addressing the accuracy and timeliness of public grid data from utilities. The grid data portion of the ruling addresses ...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Recovery of Utility Fixed Costs

Berkeley Lab published a 2016 report, Recovery of Utility Fixed Costs, which surveyed the tensions between fixed and variable rates, as well as a variety of alternative rate structures, from the persp...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

NPDES Regulations To Establish Requirements for Cooling Water Intake Structures

In rules adopted in 2014, EPA identified seven different ways for existing facilities to comply with cooling water restrictions, while finding that closed-cycle cooling towers provide the most efficie...
Example Local Governments

Warwick RI’s tax exemption for renewable energy system.

Warwick RI’s Code of Ordinances (2017) creates a tax exemption for additional value added by a renewable energy system.
Resource Public Utilities

2025 California Demand Response Potential Study

A Lawrence Berkeley National Labs report analyzing California’s Demand Response programs concluded that well-designed time-of-use rates could also optimize the use of DER for grid services and limit i...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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,...
Example Local Governments

Ann Arbor’s A2Zero Plan

Approved in June 2020, Ann Arbor’s A2Zero plan lays out an ambitious strategy to shift away from using fossil fuels and power the community with 100% renewable energy within 10 years, while significan...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Local Governments

National City CA’s Solar Zoning Zoning for Historic Buildings

National City, CA’s zoning code provides that solar panels on historic buildings should be installed in locations that are not visible from a public way, that run parallel to the original roofline, th...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

2017’s proposed Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act

2017’s proposed Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act included a federal moratorium on new major fossil fuel projects, to commence in 2018.
Example Public Utilities

Rhode Island’s Gas Transition Docket

The Rhode Island PUC has opened a docket to investigate the future of the gas distribution business, a response to the passage last year of the Act on Climate. The purpose of the docket is to examine ...
Example States and State Governments

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.” ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Private Entities

Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund is dedicated to creating economic opportunity for the frontline communities and workers hardest hit by the transition away from coal. They provide both grants and technical as...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Markets, Externalities, and the Federal Power Act

NYU’s Environmental Law Journal published a 2019 article on FERC’s authority to price carbon dioxide emissions.
Resource States and State Governments

RAP TOU Resources

The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Local Governments

Hinesburg VT’s Density Bonuses for Renewable Energy Installations

Hinesburg provides density bonuses to developers in exchange for providing public benefits that help further the goals expressed in the town plan, including renewable energy technology. Developers are...
Resource Foreign

Multinational Design Evaluation Programme

The Multinational Design Evaluation Programme organized through the Nuclear Energy Agency aims to encourage multinational convergence of codes, standards, and safety goals. The MDEP Working Group on C...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Executive Branch

Western Solar Plan

The Bureau of Land Management’s Western Solar Plan categorized lands that are excluded from utility-scale solar energy development (about 79 million acres) and identified specific locations that are w...
Resource Public Utilities

Center for Rural Affairs reports

In a 2014 report, Landowner Compensation in Transmission Siting for Renewable Energy Facilities, the Center for Rural Affairs considered ways to avoid the need to use eminent domain, including special...
Resource Local Governments

ELI report, State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and Local Government Role

The Environmental Law Institute’s 2011 report, State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local Government Role, addresses state and local responsibilities for siting wi...
Example Executive Branch

EO 14096 on Environmental Justice

In April 2023, President Biden signed an executive order creating a new Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) within the White House Council on Environmental Quality, which will coordinate initiatives...
Example Public Utilities

Colorado’s Order to Use Carbon Cost in Energy Resource Plans

In 2017, the Colorado Public Utility Commission (PUC) orderedXcel to use the social cost of carbon Energy Resource Plan (ERP) that would guide utility investments through 2024.
Resource Congress

Proposed Community and Hydropower Improvement Act (S.1521, 2023)

In 2023, the Community and Hydropower Improvement Act (S.1521) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. This bill modifies requirements for hydropower projects, including by accelerating and coordinating th...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Examining the Potential for Agricultural Benefits from Pollinator Habitat at Solar Facilities in the United States

This 2018 report in Environmental Science and Technology identifies over 3,500 km2 of agricultural land near existing and planned US solar energy facilities that may benefit from increased pollination...
Resource Congress

Report, The Playbook for Paradigm Shift: A Green Recovery in the COVID-19 Context

The Stanley Center for Peace and Security’s July 2020 report discusses financing options, structural reforms, and international cooperation in the context of a green recovery.
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

North Carolina Order Preserving TOU for Net Metering

In March 2023, the North Carolina PUC approved a section of a stakeholder agreement that replaces Net Energy Metering (NEM) credits with a time of use rate by 2027. Previously, credits were worth betw...
Example Local Governments

Watertown MN’s solar ordinance

Watertown MN’s Code of Ordinances (2016) creates a set of guidelines specifically for the placement of home solar systems.
Resource Executive Branch

Evergreen Report on 100% Clean Power Post-IRA

In January 2023, the Evergreen Collaborative and NRDC published a paper outlining the roadmap towards 80 percent clean power by 2030 and 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, building on the passage ...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Getting More Granular

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.
Resource Congress

Proposed HR 2872 of 2017

Proposed HR 2872 of 2017, the Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act, would have established an expedited licensing process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary ...
Resource Public Utilities

AWEA database on Integrated Resource Planning efforts

The American Wind Energy Association maintains a members-only database of Integrated Resource Planning efforts across the country in order to track what utilities and jurisdictions may be looking to a...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

RAP Report, Principle of Smart Heat Electrification

RAP’s 2020 report surveys policies that impact smart heat electrification, including electricity pricing, energy efficiency obligations, carbon intensity standards, financial support schemes, building...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

New York Model Zoning for Battery Storage

NYSERDA published this model law, intended to help New York local government officials adopt legislation and regulations to responsibly accommodate battery energy storage systems in their communities....
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Regional Transmission Planning

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab published a 2017 survey, Regional Transmission Planning, of practices across independent system operators in response to FERC’s Order 1000. The report, among other thing...
Example Public Utilities

Proposed Rhode Island Opt-Out Time Varying Rates Program

In November 2017, National Grid filed a plan to implement an opt-out time varying rates program by 2022. In August 2018, the Rhode Island Commission requested further development of the advanced meter...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Report, Examination of Federal Financial Assistance in the Renewable Energy Market

A 2018 DOE report, Examination of Federal Financial Assistance in the Renewable Energy Market, projected that if the similar types of federal tax incentives and mandates as those received by renewable...
Resource Congress

Report, Clean Energy Standards: State and Federal Policy Options and Implications

C2ES and RAP prepared a 2011 white paper on state and federal policy options for implementing Clean Energy Standards.
Resource Local Governments

Siting Renewable Generation: The Northeast Perspective

Energy Innovation LLC published an issue paper on siting renewables, particularly focusing on the land-constrained Northeast region, and proposed several recommendations for balancing local and state-...
Example Congress

Energy Policy Act of 2005

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 outlined processes for natural gas pipeline certification. The legislation granted jurisdiction to the courts to take action where an agency fails to take timely action, ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

NREL’s SolarAPP

In late 2020, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a no-cost, no-touch software system for cities and counties across the country to streamline rooftop solar permits, called SolarA...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Sabin Center’s model small-scale solar-siting ordinance

Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law has prepared a model small-scale solar-siting ordinance. The ordinance would govern all new solar energy systems of up to 10 kilowatts, and in...
Resource Congress

Proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2019

The proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2019 would require disclosure to the SEC the total amount of a company’s fossil fuel-related assets, how the valuation of those assets will be affected by c...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Defending and Advancing Climate Justice Policies

This January 2025 report from Just Solutions aims to illuminate the potential threats to environmental and climate justice under the second Trump Administration, drawing on the first Trump Administrat...
Resource Congress

Proposed HR 2872 of 2017

Proposed HR 2872 of 2017, the Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act, would have established an expedited licensing process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary ...
Example Local Governments

District Energy St. Paul

In 1983, the City of St. Paul granted a franchise to District Energy St. Paul, Inc. to operate a district energy system within St. Paul and sell the energy to residents of the City. District Energy re...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Nix the Fix Fact Sheet

Indiana’s Citizen’s Action Coalition has launched a campaign against higher fixed charges in utility rates, producing a fact sheet documenting the adverse effects on equity, efficiency, and competitiv...
Example Public Utilities

MISO Multi-Value Project lines

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator had undertaken efforts to coordinate states to build a series of Multi-Value Project (MVP) lines (explained in a 2017 programmatic triennial review) design...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Opportunities for Integrating Electric and Gas Planning

To successfully electrify traditionally gas-powered sectors, Public Utility Commissions should consider integrating the planning process of public gas and electric utilities, according to a January 20...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Central Hudson 2017 Rate Settlement

In a 2018 settlement of Central Hudson’s 2017 rate case, the utility’s fixed charge will drop from $24/month in 2019 to $19.50/month in 2021. “Numerous commenters, including various town, city and cou...
Resource Congress

Proposed Distributed Energy Demonstration Act of 2017

The proposed Distributed Energy Demonstration Act of 2017 would have required the DOE to establish demonstration grant programs for Smart Grid technologies.
Resource Public Utilities

BNL report, The Cost of Transmission for Wind Energy

Berkley National Laboratories’ report, The Cost of Transmission for Wind Energy, examines 40 transmission planning studies and draws some conclusions about the costs of expanding the transmission grid...
Resource Foreign

Report, Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants: A Roadmap

The Ontario Clean Air Alliance’s 2020 report, Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants, presents an informative analysis of how a foreign jurisdiction might phase-out its gas plants. The study’s r...
Resource Congress

Report, A Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity by 2035

This February 2021 report from Data for Progress and the Evergreen Coalition outlines how Congress can use a CES to put the U.S. on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2035. The report details how a C...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example Local Governments

Schaumberg IL Renewable Energy Zoning and Handbook

Schaumberg Illinois saw a 3,000% increase in solar permits following a code revision process that saw them simplify the requirements for solar permitting. The town has created a resource guide that ex...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Frontlines Climate Justice Executive Action Platform

This platform proposes a set of actions the executive branch can take to equitably address the climate crisis without new legislation, major new appropriations, or other Congressional authority.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Connecticut’s Energy Storage Solutions Program

In January, the Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority launched an energy storage subsidization program, for which both residential and commercial customers may be eligible. The Energy Storag...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE report, Energy Storage Technology and Cost Characterization Report

DOE’s 2019 report, Energy Storage Technology and Cost Characterization, defines and evaluates cost and performance parameters of six battery energy storage technologies and four non-BESS storage techn...
Example Congress

FAST Act

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act outlined regulatory process improvements to encourage timely agency decisions through the publication of agency status reports under the federal permitt...
Example Local Governments

Cheshire CT’s property tax exemptions for solar heating or cooling

Cheshire CT’s Code of Ordinances (2017) provides property tax exemptions for solar heating or cooling systems; those wanting to qualify must apply and the exemption is good for 15 years after construc...
Example Executive Branch

FOA, US Industry Opportunities for Advanced Nuclear Technology Development

Throughout 2018-19, DOE announced funding selectees for multiple domestic advanced nuclear technology projects under the FOA, U.S. Industry Opportunities for Advanced Nuclear Technology Development, t...
Example Congress

American Water Infrastructure Act

The American Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 created a fast-track procedure for the licensing of efficiency upgrades at hydropower facilities, as well as modernization activities and upgrades that ar...
Example States and State Governments

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.”
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Proposed Rules to Speed Up Project Interconnections

In June 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a plan to speed up and streamline what’s become a slow and expensive process of connecting new s...
Example Executive Branch

DOE’s Proposal to Exempt Solar, Storage, Transmission from Environmental Review

In November, 2023, the Department of Energy proposed to offer “categorical exclusions” from otherwise required environmental reviews for certain energy storage, solar and rebuilt or upgraded transmiss...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Climate Reregulation in a Biden Administration

This August 2020 report from the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law charts a course for executive action that, under a new presidential administration, would reverse the deregulatory agenda of the Tr...
Example States and State Governments

Maine’s Offshore Oil Exploration Ban

Maine banned offshore oil exploration in 2019 through LD 955.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Enhancing ESA Consultation and Permitting Procedures

The model law below would provide for conducting joint regional reviews of renewable energy projects under both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), in or...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Energy Policy Act §216(i)

In the Energy Policy Act of 2005, §216(i) (codified at 16 U.S.C.A. § 824p), Congress granted consent for three or more contiguous States to enter into an interstate compact, subject to approval by Con...
Example Congress

Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act

The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (2019) calls on the NRC to make its review process “technology inclusive” by 2028. The process was designed for the light water reactors of the last...
Resource Private Entities

EPRI Nuclear Power Action Plan

EPRI conducts a variety of programs studying technical best practices relating the management of aging nuclear equipment, including boiling water reactor vessels, corrosion, materials reliability, ste...
Resource Private Entities

Coalition for Community Solar Access

The Coalition for Community Solar Access is a national coalition of businesses and non-profits working to expand community solar. They work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders, and policymak...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

The proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (“Waxman-Markey”) would have endorsed a regional transmission planning model and the expansion of federal backstop authority over transmissi...
Resource Private Entities

Windustry and Midwest Wind Energy Center

Windustry is a nonprofit organization working to advance community wind projects across the Midwest, developing information and tools for evaluating wind energy easement contracts, landowner options, ...
Resource Public Utilities

Findings of a 2016-2017 analysis of investor-owned utility proposals to increase mandatory fixed fees on residents

NRDC, NCLC, and Vote Solar researched the results of rate cases across the US in 2016 and 2017, finding a trend of utilities aggressively proposing fixed charge increases, which Public Service Commiss...
Resource Congress

Proposed Healthy Employee Loss Prevention Act of 2018

The proposed Healthy Employee Loss Prevention Act of 2018 would establish a worker adjustment assistance program to provide assistance and job retraining for workers who have lost their jobs due to un...
Example Executive Branch

DOE’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research

In September 2018, the Department of Energy committed $120 million over five years to support the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, which devoted to advancing battery science and technology.
Example Executive Branch

EO 14057

In December 2021, President Biden signed EO 14057, which orders the U.S. government to be “net-zero” by 2050. EO 14057 directs the federal government to leverage its 300,000 buildings, 600,000 cars an...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

C40 Mayors’ Agenda for a Green and Just Recovery

This report sets out the C40 Task Force mayors’ collective vision for a green and just recovery, and the shared principles and ambitious actions for achieving it. The report identifies the key city ac...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

Vermont Fracking Ban

Vermont banned fracking in 2012, the first state in the nation to do so.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Private Entities

Grid Alternatives

Grid Alternatives is a nonprofit organization that brings together community partners, volunteers, and job-trainees to install solar power and energy efficiency improvements for low income families. T...
Model Law States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Local Governments

Milwaukee Shines

Milwaukee Shines is a program for affordable financing to purchase solar panels, which coordinates group buys of renewable energy generation systems, and provides other cost reducing incentives.
Example Congress

Permitting Reform in 2023 Debt Ceiling Law

As part of negotiations around the 2023 debt ceiling increase, Congress adopted certain revisions to the permitting process for energy projects, including: Amending the National Environmental Policy A...
Example Local Governments

Schaumberg IL District Energy System Zoning

Schaumburg, IL explicitly encourages the safe, effective, and efficient development of district energy systems (DESs) in its zoning code, permitting both commercial and residential construction of DES...
Example Executive Branch

Colorado’s Streamlined Federal Permitting Assistance Service for Small Hydropower

In 2010, Colorado and FERC entered into an MOU to encourage the development of small hydropower. The MOU required the state to prescreen proposed hydropower projects and submit the exemption applicati...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

New York’s “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” Initiative

The New York City Council approved the “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” plan in December 2023, a set of citywide zoning changes making it easier to install a variety of distributed energy resources...
Example Local Governments

Kenai AK’s property tax exemption for renewables

Kenai Peninsula Borough AK’s Code of Ordinances (2018) provides that residential renewable energy systems are exempt from real property tax, though residents must file an application to be exempt.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

FERC rule on pumped storage in RTO and ISO markets

In 2018, FERC issued a final rule to allow energy storage resources (including pumped storage) to more fully participate in organized electricity markets by removing barriers to these resources in the...
Example Public Utilities

Arizona Public Service Company’s Solar Communities Program

In 2017, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved Arizona Public Service Company’s (APS) Solar Communities Program, a $45 million program that funds utility-owned PV system installations on low- to...
Resource Congress

Report, A Plan for a Clean Jumpstart to Rebuilt America’s Economy: Policy Proposals and Guidance

In the post-COVID-19 policy space, advocates from the Evergreen organization that grew out of the Jay Inslee presidential campaign put forward a Clean Jumpstart plan, calling for major clean energy an...
Example Congress

2013 Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act

The 2013 Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act authorized all small (5 MW and under) Bureau of Reclamation conduit facilities for hydropower development. This l...
Resource Local Governments

Sustainable CUNY’s Model Solar Energy Law and Toolkit

Sustainable CUNY’s Model Solar Energy Law and Toolkit (2016) was designed to help communities adopt zoning provisions that promote solar energy systems while protecting community character and the env...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, The Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases: An Overview

In December 2023, EPA finalized updated values for the social cost of greenhouse gases (SC-GHG), following public comment and expert peer review. The agency derived these estimates using the best avai...
Example States and State Governments

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....
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Congress

Proposed Renewable Electricity Standard Act of 2019

The proposed Renewable Electricity Standard Act of 2019 would require retail electricity providers to purchase RECs in compliance with a goal of at least 50% electricity from renewables by 2035, while...
Example Local Governments

Georgia Model Solar Zoning Ordinance

This 2018 model ordinance, published by Emory Law School’s Turner Environmental Law Clinic, Georgia Institute of Technology’s Strategic Energy Institute, and the University of Georgia, provides a comp...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

DC’s Proposed Light Touch Microgrid Regulation

Utility regulators in Washington, D.C., are considering a “lightened regulation” or “light touch” approach to microgrid rules, in an effort to facilitate deployment of more renewable energy and storag...
Example Local Governments

Minneapolis Renewable Energy Zoning

Minneapolis MN’s Zoning Code Chapter 535 Articles X and XII permit the production of both wind and solar energy in all zoning districts.
Resource Local Governments

Annapolis, MD Clean Energy Loan Program

The Annapolis Clean Energy Program finances and encourages energy efficiency projects and renewable energy projects with an electric generating capacity of not more than one hundred kilowatts. On the ...
Example Public Utilities

PSEG Coal Divestment

The Public Service Electric and Gas Company has announced that it will retire or sell all remaining interests in coal-fired power plants, and has no plans to build or acquire new fossil-fueled generat...
Example Executive Branch

Secretary’s Order 3338

The Obama Administration’s Secretary’s Order 3338 prohibited new coal exploration on public lands for a period. This type of EO could be seen as a model for a future president to apply to all fossil f...
Example Public Utilities

Colorado Energy Plan

Under the Colorado Energy Plan, approved in 2018, Xcel Energy will shut down two of the three units at the Comanche coal plant near Pueblo Colorado, and replace that power with a mix of new renewable ...
Example Congress

2005 Energy Policy Act PTC for Nuclear

The 2005 Energy Policy Act established a production tax credit (PTC) of 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced during the first eight years of operation by advanced nuclear power faciliti...
Example Local Governments

Schaumburg IL’s district energy zoning provisions

Schaumburg IL’s zoning code (2016) explicitly encourages the safe, effective, and efficient development of district energy systems in its zoning code, permitting both commercial and residential constr...
Example Local Governments

West Lake Hills TX Solar Zoning

West Lake Hills, TX, Code of Ordinances § 22.03.009 allows the use of solar energy devices in all zones.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

Oregon PUC’s intervenor funding

Oregon’s PUC has authorized several rounds of intervenor funding, administered through utilities, for organizations representing broad customer interests in commission proceedings. Recent Senate repor...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.”
Resource States and State Governments

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, ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

MISO/PJM Joint Modeling Case Study: Clean Power Analysis

MISO and PJM, two independent system operators, produced a 2017 study on compliance with the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, which concluded, among other things, that interstate trading lower...
Resource States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Houston’s Solar Zoning in Historic Districts

Houston’s zoning code permits construction of solar panels in historic districts on the front part of the roof upon the grant of a certificate of appropriateness. On the rear part of the roof no certi...
Resource Congress

Proposed CLEAN Future Act (2020)

The proposed Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act (2020) is a large, economy-wide climate bill released by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Among ...
Resource Public Utilities

Arizona Residential Battery Storage Program

In Sept. 2020, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the state’s first residential battery storage program — an incentive pilot proposed in August by the Arizona Public Service Company. The Ariz...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

Con Edison’s Commercial Battery Storage Project

In New York, Con Edison’s Commercial Battery Storage Project seeks a new ownership model whereby the utility sites batteries at customer sites which it is free to draw on during peak periods, but whic...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Opportunities for Valuing Climate Impacts in U.S. State Electricity Policy

The Institute for Policy Integrity’s 2019 report, Opportunities for Valuing Climate Impacts in U.S. State Electricity Policy, sheds light on where state regulators have been legislatively granted the ...
Resource Executive Branch

DOI report, Site Inventory and Hydropower Assessment of Reclamation Owned Conduits

The Bureau of Reclamation’s 2012 report, Site Inventory and Hydropower Assessment of Reclamation Owned Conduits, found that more than 373 canals and conduits under its authority have the potential for...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

2017’s Proposed HR 3043

2017’s proposed HR 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act, would have designated FERC as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license ap...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

Report, A Path Forward for FERC

The Institute for Policy Integrity’s 2020 report, A Path Forward for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, advises that FERC should take an active role in better aligning regulatory practices with...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Public Utilities

Austin Energy’s Value of Solar tariff

Austin Energy’s Value of Solar tariff was first-in-the-nation, and developed a methodology based on a value stack including avoided energy value, avoided plant O&M value, avoided generation capacity v...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Private Entities

Resonant Energy’s Solar Equity Platform

A Massachusetts renewable energy company hopes to help low-income consumers nationwide access the financial benefits of clean energy with a new platform that allows homeowners to share excess solar cr...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Con Edison’s Shared Solar Pilot

In 2017, New York’s Public Service Commission approved Consolidated Edison’s Shared Solar Pilot, allowing the utility to procure and install 3 MW of community solar generation on Con Edison’s property...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP Report, Time-Varying Rates in New England: Opportunities for Reform

Although some New England utilities offer modernized rates for special applications, like electric vehicles and battery storage, there is substantial room for improvement in time-varying residential p...
Resource Congress

Report, The Economics of Just Transition

The Political Economy Research Institute published a 2016 report, The Economics of Just Transition, which proposes a just transition framework for U.S. fossil fuel workers. At $600 million per year, t...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

PJM’s Grid of the Future Report

In May 2022, the PJM Interconnection released a roadmap for handling the various changes affecting its system, including the retirement of fossil-fueled generation, growth in renewable energy and stor...
Resource Congress

Report, Challenges and Opportunities for New Pumped Storage Development

The National Hydropower Association’s report, Challenges and Opportunities for New Pumped Storage Development, surveys the potential for hydropower pumped storage to support greater grid reliability, ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts Geo-Grid Pilots

In Massachusetts, three natural gas utilities are pursuing geo-grid pilot projects. Throughout 2022, utilities Eversource, National Grid and Columbia Gas plan to break ground on separate pilot project...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding

The Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding in New York is a comprehensive effort to change how utilities perform system planning, what financial incentives they face, how they make use of distributed ...
Example Public Utilities

Vermont’s Group Net Metering program

Vermont’s Group Net Metering program (2009) allows multiple customers to engage with a common, non-utility owned DG system up to 500 kW, using solar, wind, or certain other renewables defined by law. ...
Example Public Utilities

Massachusetts DER Planning Proceeding

October 22, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) initiated this proceeding to investigate utility distributed energy resource planning and the assignment and recovery of costs ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

CERCLA Liability Reference Guide for Renewables Development

CERCLA makes anyone who assumes ownership or operation of a contaminated site potentially liable for its cleanup (42 USC 9607). EPA insists that it will ordinarily not take enforcement action against ...
Example Public Utilities

California Integrated Distributed Energy Resources proceeding

California’s Integrated Distributed Energy Resources proceeding included a competitive solicitation incentive pilot and a utility regulatory incentive mechanism pilot which will facilitate the deploym...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, 2025 California Demand Response Potential Study

A Lawrence Berkeley National Labs report analyzing California’s Demand Response programs concluded that well-designed time-of-use rates could also optimize the use of DER for grid services and limit i...
Example Local Governments

Pearisburg VA’s property tax exemption for solar

Pearisburg, VA’s Code of Ordinances (2014) exempts certified solar energy equipment, facilities, and devices from property taxation. The amount of the exemption is determined by deducting the property...
Example Public Utilities

Xcel Energy Pollinator-Friendly Requirements

In 2018, Xcel Energy in Minnesota became the first utility in the U.S. to require developers that submit bids to build new solar facilities under competitive solicitations to disclose the proposed sol...
Resource Congress

EnergyPolicyTracker.org

Collectively, G20 governments represent about 80 percent of the world’s economic input, and together, have pledged to inject trillions of dollars into the global economy to counteract the health, soci...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Executive Branch

Report, Managing Siting Activities for Nuclear Power Plants

The IAEA’s 2012 report, Managing Siting Activities for Nuclear Power Plants, highlights the criteria for assessment of nuclear sites, including health, safety, security, engineering, and socioeconomic...
Example Executive Branch

Army Corps of Engineers and FERC MOU on reducing red tape

The Memorandum of Understanding Between United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Non-Federal Hydropower Projects (2016) was adopted in order to spur change...
Resource Congress

Proposed Nuclear Energy Leadership Act of 2018

The proposed Nuclear Energy Leadership Act of 2018 would have included enhanced federal investment in the nuclear industry, establishing facilities to test and develop advanced nuclear reactors and to...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Executive Branch

Green Tax Incentive Compendium

Robinson and Cole, a large law firm with offices across the United States, maintains and annually updated Green Tax Incentive Compendium, which collects federal and state tax incentives for renewable ...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Resource Congress

Proposed Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012

The proposed Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 would have adopted a standard of 84% clean energy by 2035, including partial credits for natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric. EIA estimated that the ...
Resource Private Entities

GRI Disclosure Standards

GRI is an independent international organization, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. GRI’s core product are the Sustainability Reporting Standards which are made available as a free public good. The...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Procedural Equity at Public Utility Commissions: Developing a Baseline Assessment of Barriers and Opportunities

This January 2024 report from the Institute for Policy Integrity focuses on the efforts of state Public Utility Commissions to enhance procedural justice, that is, to ensure that disadvantaged communi...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Scaling Clean: Assessing Market Options for Clean Energy and Capacity in PJM

PJM, the regional transmission organization (RTO) covering 13 states and the District of Columbia, is considering significant changes to its market rules. This 2022 report from RMI, reviews two clean ...
Resource Congress

Costofcarbon.org

Costofcarbon.org, a project of the Institute for Policy Integrity, compiles a suite of resources and literature on the evolving effort to properly value the cost of carbon pollution, and highlights ef...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Executive Branch

Energy Environ. Sci. Article, Assigning Value to Energy Storage Systems at Multiple Points in an Electrical Grid

Balducci et al., in their article, Assigning Value to Energy Storage Systems at Multiple Points in an Electrical Grid, offer one of the most recent, holistic approaches in valuing the multiple service...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

BOEM’s National Offshore Wind Strategy

BOEM’s 2016 National Offshore Wind Strategy assesses the economic, technological, and administrative environment for offshore wind development, and makes 35 different recommendations to different exec...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE’s National Community Solar Partnership

The National Community Solar Partnership is a DOE-convened coalition of community solar stakeholders — state, local, and tribal governments, utilities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others ...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Foreign

UK Mandatory Climate Risk Disclosures

For certain companies that do business within the UK, new climate risk reporting requirements are coming down the pipeline. On November 9, 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the UK w...
Resource Foreign

IEC Technical Standards

IEC TC 114, Marine energy – Wave, tidal and other water current converters, was established in 2007 to develop international, consensus-based standards for the marine energy industry. The largest mari...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Clean Energy Standards Issue Brief

Resources for the Future has prepared an issue brief on a potential national Clean Energy Standard, addressing past legislation, state models, and design options.
Example Local Governments

DC’s MEDSIS proceeding

The District commenced a Modernizing the Energy Delivery System for Increased Sustainability (MEDSIS) in 2015, which, in Phase 2, considered separate tracks related to data and information access and ...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Unlocking the Queue with Grid-Enhancing Technologies

A February 2021 study found that twice as much renewable generation could be added in Kansas and Oklahoma with modest investments in technology that boosts efficiency on the power grid. The Watt Coali...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example States and State Governments

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, ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

NJ’s A3723

New Jersey passed A3723 (2018) that sets New Jersey’s energy storage target at 2,000 MW by 2030.
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Private Entities

Delivering the Nuclear Promise Initiative

The Nuclear Energy Institute is engaged in a multiyear strategy to transform the industry, called Delivering the Nuclear Promise, which highlights industry efforts to deliver substantial cost reductio...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

Report, Principles and Recommendations for Utility Participation in Solar Programs for Low-Income Customers

In considering the roles utilities can and should play in making solar available for low-income households and underserved communities, this 2020 report from Grid Alternatives, The Environmental Law a...
Resource Congress

Proposed Marshall Plan for Coal Country Act (2020)

The proposed Marshall Plan for Coal Country Act, a nod to the economic recovery plan for Europe after World War II, would ensure health care coverage for coal workers as well as cover higher education...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

World Bank Report, Managing Coal Mine Closure

The World Bank’s 2018 report, Managing Coal Mine Closure, summarizes lessons-learned from more than two decades of World Bank assistance on coal mine closure to governments, enterprises, workers and t...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP report, Electric Cost Allocation for a New Era

RAP’s 2020 manual focuses on cost allocation practices for electric utilities in the United States and their implications, acknowledging that charting a new path on cost allocation is an important par...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Executive Branch

DOE report, Hydropower Vision

DOE’s 2016 report, Hydropower Vision, estimates that hydropower in the US could grow by 50% by 2050, driven by a significant increase in pumped storage, as well as existing project upgrades and poweri...
Example Congress

American Water Infrastructure Act

The American Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 created a fast-track procedure for the licensing of efficiency upgrades at hydropower facilities, as well as modernization activities and upgrades that ar...
Resource Local Governments

Grow Solar Local Government Toolkits and Model Ordinances

Grow Solar Toolkits are a set of resources to assist city, county, community and electric utility leaders in the implementation of solar program best practices. They provide advice on permitting, plan...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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,...
Example States and State Governments

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.
Resource Executive Branch

Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications

The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors at DOE has been building and refining a reactor modeling program called VERA (Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications), which offers...
Example Local Governments

Randolph County Pollinator-Friendly Solar Ordinance

Solar energy ordinance that includes a pollinator-friendly provision ahead of construction of Indiana’s largest solar farm. The new ordinance includes a land stewardship provision requiring the ground...
Example Public Utilities

Illinois’ 15/15 rule

The Illinois Commerce Commission issued a 2014 Order allowing anonymized customer data sharing where the aggregated information abides by the 15/15 rule, meaning the information from at least 15 custo...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE’s Energy Storage Grand Challenge Draft Roadmap

DOE’s Energy Storage Grand Challenge Draft Roadmap outlines a Department-wide strategy to accelerate innovation across a range of storage technologies based on three concepts: Innovate Here, Make Here...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

Delaware RPS

Delaware’s RPS includes hydroelectric facilities that have a maximum design capacity of 30 megawatts or less.
Example Executive Branch

MHK pilot project licensing at FERC

In 2007, FERC introduced a new pilot licensing process for small-scale hydrokinetic projects to allow developers to test new hydrokinetic technologies, including connection with the interstate grid, o...
Example Public Utilities

Black Hills Energy Fixed Charge Requests

In 2018, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission rejected the Black Hills Energy request for a fixed charge increase from $16.50/month to $20.13/month and recommended lowering it to $8.77/month.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP Rate Design Resources

The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
Example Public Utilities

Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Self-Supply Program

Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Self-Supply Program provides expedited review and approval for rooftop solar systems, coupled with advanced inverters and storage, that do not export power onto the grid.
Example Public Utilities

NYISO carbon pricing proposal

The New York Independent System Operator has released a Carbon Pricing Straw Proposal, which would reflect the cost of carbon emissions in wholesale energy market offers via a “carbon charge.” The Pro...
Example Private Entities

St. Louis AirWatch Project

A St. Louis Community-based Air Quality Monitoring Program, Air Watch St. Louis, aims to equitably, scientifically, and strategically site air quality monitors at identified congregations throughout S...
Resource Congress

Resource, Better Recovery, Better World: Resetting Climate Action in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This report, released by the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, examines the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on climate policies and offers a set of economic policy option...
Model Law Congress

LPDD Model Law: Proposed Revisions to the MBTA and BGEPA for Permitting Renewable Energy

This model law proposes language to give the Fish and Wildlife Service explicit authority to grant incidental take permits for renewables and transmission lines under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Wisconsin Model Wind Zoning Ordinance

Wisconsin has prepared a model wind zoning ordinance for municipalities, including terms for setbacks, limits on shadow flicker, and requirements for construction and operation.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Congress

Institute for Policy Integrity Report on Social Cost of Carbon

The Institute for Policy Integrity has published a suite of helpful reports analyzing the Social Cost of Carbon. A 2015 report, Expert Consensus on the Economics of Climate Change, found among its res...
Resource Local Governments

TNC report, Accelerating Large-Scale Wind and Solar Energy in New York

The Nature Conservancy prepared a 2017 report, Accelerating Large-Scale Wind and Solar Energy in New York, which details recommendations for reforming the SEQRA process (NY’s NEPA), land use and plann...
Example Local Governments

Bethany Beach DE Solar Zoning

Bethany Beach DE’s zoning code permits the use of solar energy systems in all districts subject to minimal regulations.
Example Local Governments

Oregon’s Model Ordinance for Energy Projects

Oregon’s Model Ordinance for Energy Projects provides a guide for Oregon cities and counties on siting wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and cogeneration projects, electric power transmission and dist...
Resource Local Governments

APA report, Planning for Solar Energy

The American Planning Association offers resources on planning and zoning for solar energy, including sample ordinances on topics such as solar access, solar siting, and solar energy systems. Their gu...
Example Executive Branch

DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program

DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program seeks to provide the nuclear community with access to the technical, regulatory, and financial support necessary to move innovative nuclear ...
Resource Executive Branch

FERC Order 841

FERC Order 841 required RTOs and ISOs to revise their tariffs to establish market rules that facilitate the participation of electric storage resources in the capacity, energy, and ancillary service m...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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-...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Resource Public Utilities

RAP resources on Time of Use rates

The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Resource States and State Governments

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.
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Resource Local Governments

Sabin Center’s Model Wind Siting Ordinance

Columbia University’s Sabin Center has produced a Model Wind Siting Ordinance, aimed at helping New York municipalities to enact a wind siting ordinance that encourages development while procedurally ...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource Local Governments

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies report, Wind Power Siting, Incentives, and Wildlife Guidelines in the United States

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies prepared a report, Wind Power Siting, Incentives, and Wildlife Guidelines in the United States, which includes detailed summaries of nineteen states’ volu...
Resource Executive Branch

Proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule

In November, 2022, the Dept. of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA jointly proposed a Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule, which will require major Federal contractors p...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Resource States and State Governments

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...
Example Congress

Energy Policy Act of 2005

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides a useful model for how Congress or states might overcome local governments obstructing the permitting of transmission. Its provisions on the siting of liquefied ...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

Duke Energy’s “Resource Acceleration” Green Tariff Option

In July, 2024, North Carolina regulators approved a controversial green tariff proposal from Duke Energy. Green tariffs, which allow customers to opt into a utility program that purports to offer them...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Local Governments

Takoma Park’s Climate Emergency Response Framework

Takoma Park’s Climate Emergency Response Framework (2020) establishes the goals of becoming a fossil-free community by 2045, and demands the municipality develop plans to eliminate the use of fossil f...
Example Public Utilities

New York Clean Heat and Building Efficiency Funding

In January 2020, the New York State Public Service Commission has approved a set of energy efficiency and electric heat pump targets to reduce energy consumption in New York. The Order established a t...
Example Local Governments

North Carolina Model Ordinances for Wind Siting

North Carolina has developed a model ordinance for wind siting addressing six key protections: a) setbacks, b) noise, c) property value, d) environmental, e) escrow account, and f) decommissioning.
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Public Utilities

New York’s Distributed System Implementation Plans

In New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceeding, the Public Service Commission required utilities to file Distributed System Implementation Plans (2015) that identified how the utility would asse...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Model Law States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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 ...
Example Public Utilities

National Grid’s Fruit Belt Community Solar Pilot in Buffalo, NY

National Grid’s Fruit Belt Neighborhood Solar Demonstration Project consisted of installing 74 rooftop solar PV systems totaling 500 kW of generation capacity within a single low- and moderate-income ...
Example Local Governments

Linn County’s Pollinator Friendly Solar Development Standards

Linn County’s solar development standards under its zoning ordinances specify site requirements related to ground cover and buffer areas of solar projects that benefit pollinators. The standards requi...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example States and State Governments

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...
Example Executive Branch

EPA’s Proposed Emission Guidelines for Electric Utility Generating Units (2023)

In May 2023, EPA proposed new regulations to cut carbon pollution from around 3,400 methane gas and coal-fired power plants across the country. Initial requirements would begin in 2030 for coal-fired ...