Report: States’ actions are promoting green energy
Over the past two years, most states have implemented policies aimed at promoting energy efficiency and clean electricity, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Washington-based National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center). Most of the efforts also have been taken to stimulate the growth of the green economy, according to NGA Center’s “Clean and Secure State Energy Actions: 2010 Update.”
The report examines clean energy activities by all 50 states, as well as the territories and commonwealths, in seven categories, including: energy efficiency; clean electricity; alternative fuels and vehicles; “greening state” government facilities and operations initiatives; greenhouse gas emissions; clean energy research, development and demonstration; and green economic development. “This report shows that every state and territory is working to advance clean energy in some way,” said NGA Center Director John Thomasian. “Most states are developing clean energy not only as an environmental strategy but also as an economic development strategy — to reduce state energy costs and even create jobs in some instances.”
According to the report, since 2008:
• Forty-nine states adopted or updated policies relating to clean electricity;
• Forty-seven states took action to expand their energy efficiency measures; and
• Thirty-nine states developed policies and made investments to advance green economic development, largely as part of state economic recovery strategies.
Download “Clean and Secure State Energy Actions: 2010 Update.”