Rising energy costs put a major burden on everyday Americans. Additionally, the federal government has attempted to pass sweeping energy mandates that further increase costs while putting more strain on an already overloaded energy grid. SPN and its 50-state Network are working diligently to stop harmful policies in their tracks while offering reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Here are just a few highlights of the wins our Network was able to achieve this year:

National: Nuclear waste is an untapped renewable energy source, as the nation’s stockpile of uranium fuel rods contains enough energy to power the electric grid for the next hundred years. The Caesar Rodney Institute worked with lawmakers to pass bipartisan legislation that will permit the use of groundbreaking technology capable of recycling spent rods. Their amendment to the Atomic Energy Act is one giant leap toward a reliable clean-energy future.

Arizona: Because of intense pressure from the federal government, the Four Corners Power Plant in Northern Arizona is being phased out. The Goldwater Institute worked with the state’s utility regulator to adopt two key amendments that will ensure a continued supply of reliable and affordable power to residents following its closure. The First Amendment requires that the power replacing the lost capacity comes from “baseload” generation sources that are more reliable than intermittent alternatives. The second expands operations at the Redhawk Power plant, permitting additional natural gas capacity that will help replace some of the power lost when the Four Corners Power Plant closes its doors.

Connecticut: The Yankee Institute composted several pernicious energy policies this legislative session, including an environmental omnibus bill that would have made several major changes to Connecticut’s energy law. One proposed change was an all-electric mandate on new construction and major renovations – prohibiting propane, natural gas and oil. Yankee went on a messaging campaign, dubbing the bill package “The Green Monster”. The term was picked up by mainstream media and used by opponents and proponents of the bill alike. In addition, Yankee was able to bring a proposed electric vehicle mandate on Connecticut’s residents to a screeching stop. They were crucial in stopping the mandates from being imposed late last year through regulatory action and prevented a special session early this year that sought to reintroduce the bill.

Hawaii: When lawmakers took measures to implement a carbon tax, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii got to work. They launched a vital defense campaign to educate lawmakers and the public on the dangers of a carbon tax, particularly for the island state. Higher fuel costs would only further skyrocket the cost of living – something residents are already struggling with. Thanks to Grassroots, however, the bill was defeated, keeping more money in the pockets of Hawaiians. 

Maine: The Maine Policy Institute halted the adoption of electric vehicle mandates. They also changed the rule standard for the regulations to major substantive rules, requiring legislative approval going forward. Maine Policy mobilized thousands of Mainers to submit public comment in opposition to the regulations. In March, the Maine DEP rejected those rules by a 4-2 vote. Following the vote, Maine Policy worked with lawmakers to pass a bipartisan measure that requires legislative approval of any new EV mandates in the future. Now, Mainers cannot be forced by unelected bureaucrats to purchase electric vehicles, and if Maine is to ever move in this direction, voters will be able to directly hold their lawmakers accountable on these matters.

Missouri: Governor Mike Parson signed a bill into law increasing protections against electric vehicle charging mandates. Thanks to the Show-Me Institute, the bill contained carveouts for churches and nonprofits, ensuring that they will not be mandated to install and maintain electric vehicle charging stations on their own dime.

New York: Several planned offshore wind projects in New York have been canceled, leading to reduced energy costs for upstate residents. In 2019, New York passed an act that required utility regulators to obtain 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2035. Developers would then sell that power into the electrical grid at a loss, to be refunded by the state government. The difference in costs would be made up by forcing utilities to buy credits once the project came online, which would result in increased fees to ratepayers. In January, two projects pulled the plug, while an additional three projects pulled out in early May, delaying the project by at least one year. The Empire Center for Public Policy has long been a watchdog for this “green” policy, pointing out the tradeoffs that come with offshore wind power. They hope that the additional year will give New York more time to turn to more reliable, cost-effective energy sources.

North Carolina: In 2017 Governor Roy Cooper initiated a Clean Energy Plan that would cut electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. His plan would have ballooned prices for ratepayers and transitioned to unreliable energy sources like solar and wind. To combat this, the John Locke Foundation produced a first-of-its-kind examination of North Carolina’s two potential energy futures – would North Carolinians have affordable, reliable energy or would they be subjected to a future of rolling blackouts and rising electricity prices? The impact of their research has translated into tangible victories as Duke Energy abandoned its initial plan to shoehorn in unreliable energy. North Carolina is now poised to retire coal power facilities at a sensible rate, secure grid reliability and maintain energy affordability.

Virginia: Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Virginia will no longer comply with the California air regulations that aim to eliminate the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles. The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy applauded this change, which frees Virginia from California’s misguided mandates.