Democratic gains in three states open doors for clean energy policy

Democrats won control of the governorship and both legislative chambers in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin during recent midterm elections. These three states previously lacked unified Democratic leadership, which had hindered the passage of major climate and clean energy reforms.

In Wisconsin, the new Democratic trifecta aims to address a lack of ambition in the state's power sector.

While neighboring Michigan and Minnesota require all electricity to come from clean sources by 2040, Wisconsin has relied on a 10 percent renewable standard set over 20 years ago. Legislators now plan to require utilities to create future power plans and may pursue a 100 percent clean electricity standard to phase out coal. In Pennsylvania, Democratic lawmakers seek to advance a climate agenda in a state that serves as a major producer of natural gas and coal.

State Senator Lindsey Williams intends to push for mandatory energy and water efficiency standards for appliances. The party also plans to pass laws for community solar and a $1.5 billion funding package to support mass transit systems like those in Philadelphia. Governor Josh Shapiro expressed support for funding mass transit and potentially creating a state-specific cap-and-trade system.

In Arizona, the Democratic trifecta provides a chance to reform the state's utility regulator, which has been slow to adopt solar and wind technologies. Representative Lauren Kuby plans to push for laws that require utilities to invest in batteries and virtual power plants. Additionally, the legislature may finally regulate groundwater pumping in rural areas to address sinking land and dried-up wells caused by large-scale farming operations.