Why states are walking back their own climate and energy laws, and what they could do instead

Many steps that are good for clean energy also dovetail with federal priorities, from affordable housing to data centers and rural development.

By: Andres Clarens, University of Virginia, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 17, 2026

Words: 1,485

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Andres Clarens, University of Virginia

During the first Trump administration, states and cities, tired of waiting for the federal government to deal with energy and climate challenges, started writing their own laws.

New York passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, setting mandatory renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. Virginia passed the Clean Economy Act in 2020, setting a schedule to retire fossil fuel power plants. Colorado set greenhouse …

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