This new year arrives in a complex and challenging moment. Come what may, we’re here to support states in implementing their energy goals.
New Year, New State Support Friends
We were excited to kick off the new year by welcoming Rachel Chamberlain to the State Support Center as our new State Energy Strategist. Rachel brings experience at the intersection of state energy policy, implementation, and regulatory processes, most recently working in Utah state government. Rachel is looking forward to supporting you in tackling your state’s energy goals, with a particular current focus on clean firm deployment and industrial modernization. Contact her at rachel@s2strategies.org.
Also! The State Support Center has a new website: check us out at www.statesupportcenter.org.
Affordability & Large Loads – a Challenge & Opportunity for States
The U.S. power system is entering a new era defined by rapidly growing electricity demand from large loads such as data centers. How states respond will shape electricity affordability, grid reliability, and emissions trajectories for decades. With the right policies in place, states can channel this growth to accelerate low-cost electrotech deployment and deliver ratepayer relief. Some helpful resources:
RMI’s Electricity Affordability Toolkit describes more than two dozen state-level policy options alongside real-world examples. You can filter for cost control, cost distribution, and customer agency to find options that suit your state.
Explore an overview by Clean Energy States Alliance about How States Can Address Load Growth While Decarbonizing including strategies to plan for new load, manage peak growth, and promote clean technologies.
One recent state leadership example: On her first day in office New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill issued two executive orders pairing near-term ratepayer relief with longer-term electric system reforms. Other states can take a similar dual approach to delivering ratepayer relief, combining near-term tools like rate design and bill reform with longer-term strategies to expand low-cost generation, storage and enhanced grid utilization.
With thoughtful policy design, coordinated planning, and clear cost-allocation rules, states can turn today’s demand surge into a foundation for a more affordable, reliable and cleaner grid. And if you aren’t sure where to start, or where to go next, call us. The State Support Center is here to help advance your energy goals.
Other State Resources
States maximizing rapidly-expiring federal energy tax credits: Reminder! Some federal energy tax credits are expiring soon. Learn more about how states can maximize the economic benefits of those incentives ahead of upcoming deadlines in our resource for states. Wondering about how to comply with new Prohibited Foreign Entity requirements? Check out Lawyers for Good Government’s latest webinar providing guidance on the new requirements. And stay tuned for more resources on how states can maximize tax credits that remain, like geothermal and storage (which, by the way, is reducing emergency alerts and saving money for consumers during these winter storms in Texas).
State support for industrial modernization: The State Support Center has organized a cohort of implementation partners who can support you in advancing your industrial modernization work. A directory of those partners can be found here. We are developing additional cohorts to assist states with energy siting, electricity sector support, and assisting local governments’ energy efforts. We’ll share more soon or reach out now if you want to talk about these topics.
Consumer energy incentives: Best practice idea: Utah’s new Clean Air Incentive Finder is a centralized hub for individuals, fleet operators and local governments to find federal and state grants, tax credits, financing and utility incentives for energy and clean air projects. Does your state have a one-stop shop like this, too? Share it with us!
NASEO and NARUC this month in DC: Are you or a co-worker attending the upcoming NASEO or NARUC conferences in Washington, DC, next week and the following? Team members from the State Support Center will be there and we hope you’ll reach out to us so we can connect in person.
Wishing you a resilient grid and a toasty, energy efficient home during these chilly days.
Warmly,
The State Support Center