Media Contacts
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Julia Leopold
Associate Director of Communications, Renewable Energy
The Nature Conservancy
Phone: 516-413-9850
Email: julia.leopold@tnc.org
As the nation grapples with increasing energy demand, rising electric bills and worries about the lights staying on, a new report from The Nature Conservancy offers a roadmap for state policymakers to meet these challenges by accelerating the clean energy transition.
A State Policy Roadmap to a Faster Clean Energy Buildout outlines practical strategies for legislators to quickly expand clean energy in a way that addresses constituents’ concerns. It lays out a menu including tried-and-tested approaches to clean energy legislation.
Explore the Report
Smart siting is the key to building the clean energy we need faster—and TNC’s guide for state legislators shows how to do it right for nature and people.
“People want dependable energy at a price they can afford—and states are under pressure to deliver that at an unprecedented pace,” says Jessica Wilkinson, the senior policy advisor for TNC’s renewable energy team. “This report provides real-world examples and actionable steps to steer clean energy projects to places that make sense.”
Right now, the United States is experiencing rapid growth in energy demand, with peak demand expected to jump 30% by 2035. Wind and solar, which already make up nearly a quarter of the country’s electrical supply, are a critical part of an affordable, reliable energy mix. While some states and municipalities have embraced clean energy, others are increasingly adopting rules that constrain or even ban the deployment of these technologies.
Quote: Jessica Wilkinson
Smart siting policy is the key to quickly building the clean energy sources we need. Our report shows how to do it in ways that are supported at the ballot box and work on the ground.
“Tensions are mounting,” says Wilkinson. “But smart siting policy is the key to quickly building the clean energy sources we need. Our report shows how to do it in ways that are supported at the ballot box and work on the ground.”
The new report offers a spectrum of solutions and case studies. Some states, for example, have pursued zoning and fast-tracked permitting approvals for siting solar on previously disturbed lands such as mines, landfills and brownfields—helping bring economic development opportunities to communities and minimizing impacts to nature. Others have simplified onerous permitting processes or have taken a comprehensive land-use planning approach that drives clean energy development to areas that will have minimal impact on nature and communities.
“The role of states has never been more important,” says Wilkinson. “Yet with the sheer number of legislative proposals out there, it can be hard for lawmakers to tell what will address their state’s unique needs. This report can help.”
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.
More Clean Energy Work
Accelerating Renewable Energy in North America
Learn how TNC is driving a clean, green and equitable energy transition where people and nature thrive.
Driving Ambitious Climate Policy Across North America
Learn how TNC is creating, implementing and defending strong, durable policies which enable us to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Mining the Sun: Benefits of Solar Energy on Former Mine Sites
TNC’s Mining the Sun suggests that siting new energy infrastructure on degraded lands like mining sites, landfills and brownfields can cost-effectively transform these sites into clean energy hubs.