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Climate Legislation

Climate Key Legislation – 2024

  • Arizona Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Create A Climate Resiliency Planning Group. [SB 1550, Arizona Legislature, 2024 Regular Session, Introduced 2/5/24; Arizona Republic, 1/31/24]
  • Colorado Democratic Senators Announced Plans To Ban New Oil And Gas Drilling In Colorado By 2030. [Colorado Sun, 2/12/24]
  • Michigan Democratic Lawmakers Introduced A Package Of Bills That Would Set More Strict Requirements For Environmental Cleanups And Increase Accountability For Polluters. [Michigan Advance, 10/25/23; Michigan Legislature, 2023-2024 Legislative Session, HB5241-5247, introduced 10/25/23]
  • New Mexico Democratic Legislators Introduced Legislation To Provide Tax Credits For Electric Vehicle Purchases. [HB 140, 2024 Regular Session, 1/24/24]
  • Pennsylvania Democratic Lawmakers Proposed A Bill That Would Prohibit The Use Of Per- And Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) In Certain Products. [ABC 27, 1/30/24]
  • Pennsylvania  Senate Republicans Introduced Legislation To Withdraw From The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. [SP Global, 2/5/24]
  • Wisconsin Democratic Lawmakers Proposed A Package Of 20 Bills To Address Climate Change. [WPR, 11/17/23]

Climate Key Legislation – 2023

Arizona

  • Senate Republicans Passed A Bill To Allow Industrial Manufacturers To Treat And Store Wastewater On-Site. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1660, Senate Passed 3/21/23]

    • Water Experts Say The Measure Would Be Unsustainable. “Numerous water experts and officials disagree, saying the change is anything but ‘sustainable.’ […] Tenney believes the lack of an assured water supply coupled with being able to generate long-term storage credits would allow industrial users to freely drain the state’s aquifers.” [12 News, 3/10/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Sponsored Legislation To Appropriate Funds For Planting Trees On Public School Campuses. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB 1689, introduced 2/2/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation For A Constitutional Amendment That Would Provide A Right To A Clean And Healthy Environment. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SCR 1029, introduced, 2/2/2023]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Create A Climate Resiliency Planning Group. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB-1509, introduced 2/2/2023]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Establish An Electric Vehicle Charging Station Pilot Program. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SB-1445, introduced 2/6/2023]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Repeal The Prohibition On State Agencies To Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions For Purposes Of Mitigating Climate Change. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB-2279, introduced 1/18/2023]

Colorado

  • Democratic Legislators Announced A Slate Of Bills Intended To Incentivize Clean Energy Technology For Consumers Through Tax Breaks. “Heat pumps, electric vehicles, e-bicycles and other forms of clean technology could become cheaper for consumers under a slate of bills Democratic legislators and Gov. Jared Polis announced on Wednesday. The proposals also include measures to increase renewable energy generation in the state. Altogether, the bills would amount to as much as $120 million in new tax credits annually through 2032. […] The tax credits are just one portion of the clean energy package, which includes 13 pieces of legislation. Six of those bills have already been introduced. Another seven are still being drafted by lawmakers.” [CPR News, 3/8/23]
  • Democratic Lawmakers Sponsored Legislation To Promote Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Measures. [SB-16, 2023 Regular Session, 1/10/23]

  • Republican Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Declassify Carbon Dioxide As A Pollutant. [HB-1163, 2023 Regular Session, 2/2/23]

    • The Bill Has Been Postponed Indefinitely. [HB-1163, 2023 Regular Session, 2/2/23]

Connecticut

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced An Act To Establish A Green Jobs Corps Program. [HB-6354, 2023 Regular Session, 1/20/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced An Act Concerning Zero-Carbon Emissions To Create Policies And Accountability For Reaching The State’s Carbon-Reduction Goals. [HB-6397, 2023 Regular Session, 1/20/23]

Hawaii

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation That Establishes A Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Purchasing Assistance Program Within The Hawaiʻ State Energy Office. [SB-368, 2023  Regular Session, 1/20/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation That Would Provide Rebates For Eligible Electric Vehicle Ready Parking Stalls For New Construction Of Affordable Housing. [SB 1460, 2023 Regular Session, 1/25/2023]

Maine

  • Lawmakers Have Introduced Legislation That Would Require Bottled Water Companies To Test For PFAS And Require Additional Labeling Requirements. “Democratic Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach) is sponsoring a bill similar to Bennett’s to require PFAS testing, although her bill also seeks to require additional labeling to list the source of the water, the date of the test and the level of PFAS in the water.” [Spectrum News, 4/28/23]

    • The Bill Passed And Was Signed By Gov. Mills.  [State of Maine Legislature, 131st Maine Legislature, First Regular Session, LD 1248, Signed by the Governor, 6/26/23]

Minnesota

  • Democratic Lawmakers Passed A Bill That Mandates Minnesota Utilities Transition To Carbon-Free Energy By 2040. “The Minnesota Senate late Thursday passed a bill that mandates Minnesota utilities transition to carbon-free energy by 2040. The legislation now heads to Gov. Tim Walz, who said he will sign it. The vote was along party lines 34-33, with all Democratic senators in support.” [Minnesota Reformer, 2/2/23]

    • The Legislation Required Energy Companies To Hit Benchmarks For Carbon-Free Energy Generation Before 2040. “The Frentz bill (HF7) would require Minnesota utilities to transition to 100% carbon-free energy sources like wind and solar by 2040. The energy companies would need to hit benchmarks, however, much sooner. Larger electric companies, like Xcel Energy, would need to have 80% of their electricity portfolio generated by carbon-free sources by 2030. Smaller municipalities and co-ops would need to reach 60% by 2030. By 2035 all electric utilities need to have 90% of their energy from carbon-free sources — a tough mandate for many community co-ops and municipalities, Republicans say.” [Minnesota Reformer, 2/2/23]

    • The Legislation Grants An “Off-Ramp” To Utilities If They Can Demonstrate Before The Public Utilities Commission That Standards Would Significantly Affect Affordability. “Democrats included language in the bill that grants utilities leniency — or what Democrats are calling an ‘off-ramp’ — if they can demonstrate that the carbon-free standards would significantly affect affordability or reliability. The municipality would need to make their appeal to the state’s Public Utilities Commission, which would grant or deny their request.” [Minnesota Reformer, 2/2/23]

    • Under The Legislation, Utilities Can Pay For Credits To Offset Carbon Energy They Did Use. “Otherwise, utilities can also pay for credits to offset any carbon energy they do use. For small utility companies in greater Minnesota, some may be forced to pay for the credits by increasing energy prices of their customers.” [Minnesota Reformer, 2/2/23]

    • The Governor Signed The Bill Into Law. “Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday signed a bill mandating Minnesota utilities to transition to carbon-free energy by 2040.” [Minnesota Reformer, 2/7/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Are Advancing Legislation To Place New Restrictions On Forever Chemicals. “As the Environmental Protection Agency releases new guidance on limits for ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water, Minnesota lawmakers are once again advancing legislation placing new restrictions on the chemicals. […] ‘There is widespread recognition that we must turn away from this class of chemicals to protect water, land and human health,’ said Sen. Kelly Morrison, DFL-Depphaven, who is carrying the Senate bill to ban the chemicals in certain products. ‘Since PFAS started in Minnesota it’s appropriate that we lead in ending its use.’ […] The use of PFAS, a group of thousands of chemicals used for their nonstick and water-resistant properties, was pioneered by Minnesota-based 3M. They are used in a wide variety of products and are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment and can accumulate in the tissue of living things.” [Duluth News, 3/14/23]

  • The DFL-Majority House Passed A $670 Million Environmental Bill. “Late Monday night, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed what it calls the state’s largest-ever investment in natural resources and the environment by 10 votes. The package includes $670 million in funding for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Zoo, Science Museum and more. The omnibus bill also touts the prevention of PFAS, or forever chemicals, banning their use in many products and setting water standards. Plus, the legislation intends to reduce energy costs for lower-income Minnesotans, combat climate change and invest in protection from extreme weather events. House Republicans argue the bill will jack up utility bills and is generally too expensive.” [CBS News, 4/18/23]

New Hampshire

  • House Democrats Introduced Legislation To Set Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals And Establish A Climate Action Plan. [HB-208, 23-24 General Session, 1/4/23]

    • The Bill Was Blocked. [HB-208, 23-24 General Session, 1/4/23]

  • A Bill Backed By Democrats That Would Have Required The Adoption Of California’s Vehicle Emission Standards And Ended The Sale Of New Gas-Powered Cars By 2035 Was Blocked In The New Hampshire House. [New Hampshire Bulletin, 3/10/23]

New Mexico

  • The Gov. Signed The Regional Water System Resiliency Act. [SB-1, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/17/23]

  • The Gov. Signed Legislation To Provide Zero Interest Reimbursable Loans To Subdivisions Damaged By The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. [SB-6, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/17/23]

  • The Gov. Signed Legislation  Mandating That The Commissioner Of Public Lands Establish A Renewable Energy Office. [HB-95, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]

  • Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D, SD-16) Introduced Legislation To Increase Enforcement Power Over Water Distribution. [SB-380, 2023 Regular Session, 2/8/23]

    • The Bill Did Not Advance. [SB-380, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced  2/8/23]

  • The Gov. Signed Legislation Declaring A Water Emergency And Making Loans And Grants Available For Certain Water Projects. [HB-252, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 2/26/23]

North Carolina

  • Republican Lawmakers Reintroduced Legislation Vetoed By Gov. Cooper In 2021 That Would Prohibit Cities Or Counties From Adopting Ordinances That Limit The Expansion Of Natural Gas. “Members of North Carolina’s House of Representatives are again seeking legislation that would prevent counties and municipal governments from banning the use of natural gas or any other form of energy to heat buildings or power appliances. At least 20 states have passed similar so-called ‘preemption laws.’ In North Carolina, a bill failed in the 2021-22 session following a veto from Gov. Roy Cooper. […] Cooper’s 2021 veto message said preventing governments from banning natural gas or other energy sources ‘wrongly strips local authority’ while also hampering the state’s ability to move toward fossil fuel-free energy sources.” [The News&Observer, 2/23/23]

    • The Bill Passed Into Law Without Gov. Cooper’s Signature. [North Carolina General Assembly, 2023-2024 Session, HB130, Became Law W/o Signature, 6/26/23]

  • Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill To Ban Certain Investments In Green Energy. “A ban on green investing has cleared North Carolina’s GOP-controlled legislature as part of a broader Republican crusade against big businesses that champion sustainability and workplace diversity. The measure, which won final legislative approval Tuesday, bans state agencies from using “environmental, social and governance” standards to screen potential investments, award contracts or hire and fire employees. It also says the state cannot weigh how a company promotes sustainability, engages with its community or structures its leadership to support those goals. At least two other states — North Dakota and Idaho — have already enacted laws banning such criteria. And elected officials in several other red states have derided them as “woke” or proposed similar policies to stop investors who contract with states from adopting them. The Senate voted 29-18 along party lines on Tuesday after the House passed the bill with veto-proof margins in May. It now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who could sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.” [Sun Journal, 6/13/23]

    • Gov. Cooper Vetoed The Bill, But It Was Overridden By The Republican-Led Legislature. [North Carolina General Assembly, 2023-2024 Session, HB750, Veto Overridden, 6/27/23]

Pennsylvania

  • Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, (D-Phila.) Introduced Legislation To Create A Grant Program, “Solar for Schools,” To Expand The Use Of Solar Energy At School Facilities Across Pennsylvania. “State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler introduced legislation that would create a grant program to expand the use of solar energy at school facilities across Pennsylvania. The grant program, “Solar for Schools,” would issue grants to schools for solar energy projects, including costs related to equipment, installation and maintenance of solar energy systems.” [Around Town, 3/13/23]

  • Senate Democrats Introduced The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act. [SB-230, 23-24 Regular Session, 3/15/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Sponsored Legislation To Establish A Solar Program For Pennsylvania Schools. “Pennsylvania Democrats want to establish a solar program for Pennsylvania schools, hoping to reduce energy costs for K-12 districts and colleges and make sustainable investments. Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would create a grant to fund solar energy assessments and help pay for installation and equipment for a solar energy system.” [Pennsylvania Capitol Star, 4/16/23]

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Legislation To Create A 2,500 Foot Setback For Natural Gas Sites From Existing Buildings Or Water Wells. “Democratic legislators in Pennsylvania are once again attempting to secure a 2,500-foot protective buffer zone, or setback, for residents who live near prospective natural gas sites. After years of industry pushback on other proposed setback increases, the bill’s fate is uncertain. On April 3, Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D-155) introduced HB 170, a bill that would restrict natural gas operators from siting new fracking wells fewer than 2,500 feet from an existing building or water well.” [Capitol & Main, 4/17/2023]

  • Republican Senators Passed Legislation To Remove “Protection” From The Name Of The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). “The Pennsylvania Senate voted along party lines to approve a bill proposing that a state agency drop “protection” from its moniker to become the Department of Environmental Services. For the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) name change to become official, Senate Bill 691 would need approval of both the state House and Gov. Josh Shapiro. The Senate’s Republican majority carried the bill by a 28-22 vote. No Democrats voted in support. A department spokesperson said the Shapiro Administration opposes a change.” [New Castle News, 6/8/23]

Virginia

  • Senate Republicans Introduced A Bill To Repeal The Clean Energy And Community Flood Preparedness Act. “Senate Bill 1001 (introduced by Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland) would repeal the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act, the statute that propelled Virginia into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Participation in RGGI is the vehicle by which utilities buy allowances to emit carbon pollution. Under RGGI, the number of allowances available declines every year, and Virginia’s power sector would reduce CO2 emissions 30% by 2030. The allowance auctions have already raised hundreds of millions of dollars that by law must be used for low-income energy efficiency programs and flood resilience projects. A similar bill failed last year, and Senate Democrats have pledged to block the effort again. Meanwhile, Gov. Glenn Youngkin is trying to withdraw Virginia from RGGI administratively, a move that former Attorney General Mark Herring ruled wasn’t legal.” [Virginia Mercury, Commentary, 1/18/23]

    • SB 1001 Was Passed By Indefinitely In Committee. [SB 1001, passed by 1/24/23]

  • House Republicans Passed A Bill To Roll Back Emissions Standards; The Bill Was Blocked In The Senate. “The last surviving bill from Republicans aimed at rolling back a Virginia law tying the state to emissions standards set by California that will ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035 reached the end of the road Tuesday. The Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee voted 8-7 along party lines to defeat the bill from Del. Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham. Wilt’s legislation previously passed the House of Delegates along party lines.” [Virginia Mercury, 2/14/23]

Washington

  • Democratic Lawmakers Sponsored Legislation To Improve Climate Resilience Through Updates To The State’s Integrated Climate Response Strategy. [SB-5093, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/9/23]

Wisconsin

  • Republican Lawmakers Advanced Legislation To Protect Access To Gas-Powered Vehicles, Snow Blowers, And Lawnmowers. “The Wisconsin Senate gave final approval to bills Wednesday that would protect access to gas-powered vehicles, snow blowers, lawnmowers and other machines. The Republican-controlled Assembly passed the measures in April, with all Democrats objecting, and the Senate also passed them along party lines on Wednesday. […] The bills seek to outlaw measures similar to a California statute passed last year that requires all new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state run on electricity or hydrogen by 2035. Democrats have said they had no plans to pursue a gas-engine ban in Wisconsin and accused the bill sponsors of fear-mongering.” [ABC27 WKOW, 6/7/23]

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