These overlooked elections have big clean energy implications

I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that Election Day is less than a week away. But let’s forget the presidential showdown for a few minutes and talk about some less flashy races with big implications for clean energy.

In every state, a public utility regulatory commission is tasked with overseeing electric and other utilities. They have the power to approve or reject electric rates, determine if a utility can build a power plant, and make other decisions that guide the energy transition.

And while governors appoint these regulators in most states, a handful leave that decision up to voters. Seats are up for grabs in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota this year. And in Arizona and Louisiana, they’re especially worth paying attention to, Canary Media reports.

The five-seat Arizona Corporation Commission has three slots open this year, with three Democrats and three Republicans looking to fill them. The eventual board is sure to face decisions about proposed gas plants to power data centers, and facilities to tap the state’s solar power potential. Louisiana’s Public Service Commission is meanwhile fresh off the creation of an energy efficiency program, and voters are tasked with replacing one of its architects.

As the clean energy transition accelerates, these and other PUC races are more important than ever. So if you’re in a state with an election next week, read up on what’s at stake. And if you’re not, check out this report from last year that shines a light on the people behind these overlooked regulatory boards.

More clean energy news

🏭 Net-zero progress: The United Nations conclude the world made essentially no progress a year after promising to phase out fossil fuels, with emissions still set to increase this year and Paris Agreement goals unlikely to be met. (New York Times)

📈 Renewable resurgence: A new report highlights clean energy’s dramatic expansion over the past decade, with U.S. solar, wind and geothermal power production more than tripling since 2014. (Floodlight)

🫁 Tying cancer to coke plants: Cancer rates related to air pollution are 12% higher near plants that use coal to make steel compared to national rates, and 26% higher for residents living near coke plants, a new study finds. (Inside Climate News)

☀️ Decarbonizing disaster relief: A disaster relief agency envisions a ​“lending library” of portable solar and battery systems deployed throughout the Southeast to aid in power outages. (Energy News Network)

💸 Tax credit takeoff: The ability to buy and sell Inflation Reduction Act tax credits has proved to be a boon for clean energy developers and companies, allowing faster access to project financing. (Canary Media)

⚛️ Nuclear renaissance? Big tech companies’ surging interest in nuclear power could restart the industry, but supply chain slowdowns, high costs and other issues could slow their progress. (E&E News)

🚢 ImPORTant upgrades: The U.S. EPA announces $3 billion to deploy zero-emission freight and ferry infrastructure to curb ports’ climate impacts. (Associated Press)

🇺🇸 Plus, some politics

• Both Harris and Trump are likely to maintain or increase heavy tariffs on clean energy imports if they win the election, as both campaigns seek to boost domestic manufacturing. (E&E News)
• Climate policy experts map their priorities for a Harris administration to build on the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy successes. (Bloomberg)
• Former President Trump wants to ​“terminate” Inflation Reduction Act spending if elected, but with billions of dollars already out the door and construction on many investments underway, businesses and Republican lawmakers aren’t enthusiastic about the idea. (Axios)

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