Energy and Environment

Center for Best Practices experts work with Governors and their staff on developing analysis and insights into emerging policy trends across the fields of energy and environmental protection. We help states promote the efficient use of energy across all sectors, improve the use of traditional and alternative fuels for electricity and transportation, better protect and clean up the environment, and how to effectively manage their natural resources.

Clean Energy Week 2021

Governors on Clean Energy Week

Ducey

“Clean, affordable and reliable forms of energy are critical to our state’s future and robust economy. Arizona is proud to celebrate Clean Energy Week to highlight the incredible advancements in energy technologies and recognize the many businesses and organizations that lead on this front.”
- Governor Doug Ducey

Polis

"The clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of economic growth in Colorado in recent years, with nearly 60,000 clean energy jobs in Colorado; Colorado’s rural renewable energy facilities have generated an estimated $9.4 billion in construction and investment activity from 2000 to 2020, created $388.6 million in annual economic output, established over 6,300 jobs, and generated $15.2 million in annual lease payments for ranchers and farmers."
- Governor Jared Polis

Kemp

“Georgia is a national leader in biomass production and communities across our state depend on many forms of clean energy, including nuclear production at four state plants, hydroelectric, and commercial solar farms and residential solar power installations. Along with Conservatives for Clean Energy Georgia, I encourage all Georgians to learn more about our state’s energy needs, and to implement low-emitting energy technologies when available.”
- Governor Brian Kemp

Little

“Idaho is a national leader in clean energy, with our rivers supplying half of our net electricity generation...Growing our clean energy workforce will help grow employment and economic opportunities throughout our state."
- Governor Brad Little

Holcomb

“Across Indiana, clean and readily abundant forms of energy are powering more homes and businesses than ever before. We must harness the power of Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses to ensure government collaboration to assert American energy leadership and dominance in the global marketplace and assure low-cost reliable energy here at home.”
- Governor Eric Holcomb

Reynolds

“The clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of growth in Iowa in recent years, with 28,953 Iowans currently employed in the clean energy sector; Iowa is the nation's largest fuel ethanol and biodiesel producer, accounting for one-fourth of U.S. fuel ethanol production capacity and one-fifth of biodiesel manufacturing capacity; and Iowa's nearly 5,900 wind turbines generated 60% of the state's electricity…”
- Governor Kim Reynolds

Mills

“Transitioning to clean energy will not only fight climate change, it will create good-paying jobs, support our economic recovery from the pandemic, and make our state competitive in emerging industries around the world.”
- Governor Janet Mills

Hogan

“Clean energy is a growing part of our future, this includes energy storage, emerging technologies such as carbon capture, and generation from clean and renewable sources such as geothermal, hydro, nuclear, solar, and wind. The State of Maryland supports an 'all of the above' energy strategy because affordable, clean, reliable, renewable and resilient energy is the foundation on which a strong economy is built.”
- Governor Larry Hogan

Baker

“Massachusetts is committed to renewable energy that benefits our economy and environment. Reducing our use of fossil fuel use is essential to the health of our planet…the clean energy sector provided more than 122,000 jobs in the state in 2019.”
- Governor Charlie Baker

Reeves

“The production and consumption of energy affects our everyday activities and natural resources… all Mississippians can continue to contribute to the beauty and efficiency of Mississippi by becoming energy aware and energy efficient in their homes and in their work and recreation areas.”
- Governor Tate Reeves

Parson

“In Missouri, we believe in and strive for clean, affordable, and readily available energy sources. Our status as a top agriculture producing state enables our robust biofuel industry. Missouri is the third largest biodiesel producer in the nation, and just this year, we made an additional $2 million investment in biodiesel infrastructure. Investments like these support clean, reliable energy sources, economic growth, and good-paying jobs. They are critical to establishing a more sustainable economy and environment for Missouri’s next generations.”
- Governor Mike Parson

Ricketts

“Nebraska believes in reliable, affordable, and clean forms of energy. Wind is responsible for a significant portion of the state’s renewable electricity generation, with more than 1,000 wind turbines and more than 2,100 MW of installed utility-scale capacity.”
– Governor Pete Ricketts

Sisolak

“Nevada's energy sector is strong thanks to abundant renewable energy resources, modern infrastructure, and incentives that attract energy developers from around the world. Climate change is impacting all Nevadans, our infrastructure, public health, economy, and ecosystems; and adoption of clean energy and transportation electrification are critical to reaching Nevada's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, and thus our climate action goals.”
– Governor Steve Sisolak

Sununu

"New Hampshire is an environmentally-driven state that has brought together stakeholders to develop strategic approaches that deliver environmental wins, including our recent expansion of net metering, all while protecting the ratepayer with an eye towards reducing overall costs.”
– Governor Chris Sununu

Lujan Grisham

“New Mexicans cherish their beautiful natural environment and recognize the imminent threat posed by global climate change; municipalities, organizations and individuals should be encouraged to integrate the cleanest lowest-emitting energy resources possible; the public and private sectors should be supported in further investment, research and development of our state's clean energy resources.”
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Cooper

“As we continue to discover the many ways climate change threatens daily life for North Carolinians, we must take actions that reduce air pollution and increase resilience. Those actions can also create good paying jobs. That is why North Carolina is investing in rural and urban communities, advancing clean energy, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, and strengthening natural infrastructure.”
- Governor Roy Cooper

Burgum

“North Dakota is committed to developing innovative solutions for clean and reliable forms of energy, including technologies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage, which continue to transform our fossil fuel energy.”
- Governor Doug Burgum

DeWine

“Wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal power sources, as well as nuclear, natural gas, bioenergy, and carbon capture technologies ensure America's continued leadership in clean energy...Energy use is a necessity for all people, businesses, and organizations across the Buckeye State, and Ohio's clean energy sources can assure low-cost, reliable energy”
- Governor Mike DeWine

Stitt

“The energy sector is the leading economic driver in Oklahoma and the state's all of the above approach to energy production plays an important part in America's energy independence. Across Oklahoma, clean and readily abundant forms of energy are powering more homes and businesses than ever before. In 2020, wind supplied 35% of Oklahoma's electricity net generation, ranking us third in the nation in net generation from wind.”
- Governor Kevin Stitt

Wolf

“I have made it a top priority throughout my administration to ensure that Pennsylvania addresses climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which will improve our environment, spur quality jobs, and benefit consumers through reduced energy costs.”
- Governor Tom Wolf

McMaster

“The clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of economic growth in the Palmetto State in recent years. South Carolina has experienced tremendous success in the solar industry and has significant potential in the development of wind, biomass, and other clean energy technologies.”
- Governor Henry McMaster

Noem

“The State of South Dakota supports an all-inclusive energy portfolio because affordable energy is the backbone of a strong economy.”
- Governor Kristi Noem

Lee

“Tennessee believes in clean, affordable, and readily abundant forms of energy for all. The Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar 2 generating plant, which began commercial operations in October 2016, is the nation’s first new nuclear power reactor to enter service in the 21st century.”
- Governor Bill Lee

Scott

“Vermont’s growing energy economy has created jobs while reducing consumer demand for high-cost, high-carbon 'peak energy' by creating and supporting clean, renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency and load flexibility. Clean energy is part of America’s energy future and includes generation from multiple renewable resources.”
- Governor Phil Scott

Northam

“Clean energy is part of Virginia’s energy future, which includes generation from renewable sources, such as solar, onshore wind, and offshore wind. Virginia’s energy future also includes significant investments in energy efficiency and energy storage technologies. Virginia’s entrepreneurs and small businesses must come together with government collaboration to assert American energy leadership and ensure low-cost reliable energy at home.”
- Governor Ralph Northam

Justice

“As I’ve said many times, West Virginia is an all-in energy state. By embracing diversification and welcoming energy of all kinds – including renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, and of course coal and natural gas – we are safeguarding our future and maintaining our place as an energy powerhouse for the entire world.”
- Governor Jim Justice

Featured Resources

Energy and Environment Resource Library

Balancing Stormwater Infrastructure Costs

How Governors & States Can Equitably Address Stormwater Funding (Download) Background States and local jurisdictions are facing dual challenges of upgrading older stormwater infrastructure (storm sewers, ditches, and flood control ...
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State Governance, Planning, and Financing to Enhance Energy Resilience

This guide provides examples of state-wide resilience considerations, important actions for states to enhance energy resilience planning, and potential funding and financing options to consider for energy resilience projects. (Download) ...
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Executive Authority During Energy Emergencies

The road map is a tool to help Governors prepare in advance of an energy emergency and inform their decision making in the event of an energy emergency. (Download) Executive ...
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Nuclear Learning Collaborative Series

A four-part educational and planning workshop series for Governors’ advisors and state leaders to provide key nuclear energy policy and technical background, and facilitate state action planning on nuclear energy ...
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Electricity Markets – 101

This guide is meant to provide an overview of the differences within each U.S. electricity market and assist Governor’s and their staff when assessing how their policies may impact those ...
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National Governors Association to Work With 4 States on Exercise to Improve Energy Emergency Preparedness

California, Connecticut, Illinois and Utah to Participate in GridEx VI, Receive Technical Assistance The National Governors Association (NGA) will support four states – California, Connecticut, Illinois and Utah – as ...
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Leveraging State Revolving Funds for Green Infrastructure Projects

States have an opportunity to use State Revolving Funds (SRF’s) to invest in nature-based infrastructure to improve water quality, mitigate flood risks, and improve the health of people and ecosystems ...
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State Energy Efficiency Policy in a New Era: A Toolkit for Governors

Governors' leadership on energy offers cost savings, job creation, reduced energy consumption, pollution prevention, and strengthened grid security. (View/Download) 2020 Levelized Cost of Generating Electricity. Source: Lazard and ACEEE. Governors ...
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Electricity Markets – Current Events

This webinar explores the impacts of recent FERC decisions on state energy priorities and emerging electricity market trends, including potential federal investments in electricity infrastructure. This discussion will help Governors’ ...
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Electricity Markets 201: Federal and State Authorities

This webinar is the second webinar in a three part series. The first webinar was a 101-type webinar and building off the foundational knowledge established in the previous session, this ...
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Electricity Markets 101

This webinar provides the foundational knowledge necessary to effectively engage in state and regional policy discussions around electricity markets. Experts discuss differences in how electricity markets are structured, review the ...
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State Summit on Energy Resilience Planning and Funding

State participants from Governors' offices and state energy offices convened to discuss energy resilience best practices related to planning and governance, cross-sector interdependencies, making energy systems resilient to severe hazards, ...
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