As many state legislatures head into the 2025 legislative session, Clean Air Task Force (CATF) released a report that explores the benefits and key design elements of state clean electricity standards (CES). Alongside the report, CATF launched an interactive map that shows states that have adopted a CES or renewable portfolio standard and analyzes a variety of policy components, including eligible technologies, stringency of the standard, and built-in compliance flexibility.
“High public and business support for clean energy creates opportunities for states across the country to take action to meet their climate, energy, and economic goals. Technology-neutral clean electricity standards help states incentivize low- and zero-emission energy resources while ensuring reliability and affordability,” said Jeremy Tarr, Director of CATF’s U.S. State Energy and Climate Policy Program. “States are leaders on energy policy, and clean electricity standards allow them to achieve state goals based on their unique resources, market conditions, and political considerations. Federal funding from laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provide states with enhanced financial resources to address pollution, meet growing energy demand, and bolster their local economies with abundant clean energy.”
Effective clean electricity standards set an enforceable, ambitious requirement to transition to clean electricity utilizing a broad range of technologies. They differ from renewable portfolio standards by allowing a broader suite of clean energy technologies – beyond renewables – to achieve the standard. This provides utilities and other power providers with greater flexibility to achieve significant emission reductions. More than two dozen states already have passed policies to expand zero- or near-zero emissions electricity. Explore each state’s policies, design elements, and more on the interactive clean electricity map here.