Advanced Energy Perspectives

The 2022 election is still not in the books, but with the outcome of most contests already known, advanced energy and its champions at the state and federal level were clear winners. Heading into any midterm election we expect to see a swing away from the sitting president’s party. This year that meant the potential to see the progress of the past four years slowed in key states across the country and at the federal level. But now, with the votes mostly tallied, we can say the stage is set for more clean energy progress next year, especially with the funds and incentives from federal legislation arriving in states ready to put it to work.

When it comes to energy policy, all eyes have been on Washington, D.C., over the past year. Meanwhile, with far less attention, the states continue to lead the way in our energy transition. Between figuring out how to put to work funds from last year’s federal infrastructure bill, carrying out their own mandates for clean energy, and prepping for an electric transportation future, states will remain the primary venue for building an advanced energy economy in 2022. Here are some of the trends AEE will be watching – and engaging in – this year.

Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Rip Sullivan celebrate passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, with AEE's Harry Godfrey (center) and JR Tolbert (right of Sullivan) looking on. Photo by Mary Rafferty

Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature. The VCEA represents the single largest initiative spurring advanced energy investment in the southeastern United States. It  is also the culmination of three years of engagement and advocacy in the Commonwealth for Advanced Energy Economy. What does the Virginia Clean Economy Act do? And how did the Old Dominion go from laggard to leader in advanced energy? Read on.

Those of us who follow energy policy likely spent a good portion of December looking at year-in-review articles. That period of reflection on what went well and what’s left to be done is important. So too is the process, beginning in January, of looking out toward the horizon to see where the road goes from here. We know that much of the action on advanced energy will be driven by state governments across the nation. So here is a look at the five issues we think will drive state policy for – or against – advanced energy in the year ahead.

Last week, AEE took a big step toward localizing and personalizing the advanced energy industry in nine states where we are engaged with the campaigns for governor. On web pages for each of the nine states, we posted profiles of employees of AEE member companies in the state and a scorecard where we show the stances of major-party nominees on the advanced energy policy priorities we shared with the campaigns previously, along with fact sheets on advanced energy jobs in the state. With less than two weeks to go in campaign season, this latest step in AEE’s Gubernatorial Engagement effort provides a voter’s guide for all those who work in advanced energy, or care about the economic opportunity advanced energy represents, with updates based on candidate platforms and public statements right up to Election Day.