The renewable energy industry is turning its attention to state-level races in the run-up to November’s midterm elections.
Advanced Energy United, an industry group, this month released a set of state policy road maps for incumbent governors and gubernatorial candidates that detail strategies to deploy renewable energy more quickly. The group also is holding conversations with gubernatorial candidates of both parties — a recognition of the importance that statehouses play in the nitty-gritty of energy work, said one of the organization’s top officials.
“The vast majority of energy policy takes place at the state level, and governors have the biggest platform to make changes on that level,” said Dylan Reed, who leads the group’s federal and political affairs. “We’ve worked in previous cycles to tell governors that investing in advanced energy solutions should be a priority and can be an economic development issue.
“This year,” he added, “energy is like a top two issue for everyone on the ballot.”
Advanced Energy United has put out road maps for a dozen states, including ones with battleground races such as Wisconsin, Iowa and Nevada. The group also is set to hold a fireside chat next month with Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for California governor, as well as individual meetings with candidates.
Thirty-six states are holding governor’s races this year and half do not feature incumbents.
With electricity affordability and gas prices in the spotlight this year, Reed added, gubernatorial candidates will need to do their homework and demonstrate what they’ll do to help residents’ utility bills.
Energy can be a notoriously wonky issue that runs through legislatures, state utility commissions and zoning boards — with effects that can be hard for voters to see immediately. But Reed said that by demystifying some of the key issues facing the industry, renewable energy companies represented by Advanced Energy United can help new governors hit the ground running.
“We’re used to hearing people talk about solutions that could take place in 2032 or 2036,” Reed said. “But there are a lot of opportunities that we could invest in over the next 12 months if the landscape is right.”
Key to that, the group says in its road maps, is permitting reform that reduces the barriers to putting new energy generation or transmission infrastructure in the ground. The group is also highlighting the importance of tools such as virtual power plants and grid-enhancing technologies that can squeeze more out of the existing grid without making costly new investments that can boost ratepayers’ bills.
Not only are those issues that a governor’s office can influence, Reed said, but they can also help further an affordability message that’s dominating the political landscape right now.
“Despite what you see in D.C., the issues we’re talking about have broad political buy-in,” Reed said. “The question is whether governors want to take this as a priority. That’s why it’s so important to highlight now.”
