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By ARIANNA SKIBELL, Politico |
| States are now the epicenter of the clean energy fight.
Industry groups and advocates are targeting state leaders as high electric bills frustrate voters ahead of the midterm elections. Their message: More clean energy equals more affordable energy. Take Advanced Energy United. As Jason Plautz writes today, the industry group sees an opportunity in the outsize role energy is playing in state-level races. Its road map pitches ideas for speeding up permitting for renewable projects and milking more energy from the existing grid before spending billions on new infrastructure. “Despite what you see in D.C., the issues we’re talking about have broad political buy-in,” said Dylan Reed, who leads the group’s federal and political affairs. “The question is whether governors want to take this as a priority. That’s why it’s so important to highlight now.” Step one, he said, is demystifying the energy sector, which is notoriously wonky and hard to parse. The group aims to help governors understand how clean power can drive down prices while boosting the economy. That message could find its way into many a campaign speech. Thirty-six governor seats are up for grabs this year. Half of those races don’t include incumbents, making them even more competitive. And energy affordability is top of mind for voters. Since 2021, electricity prices have increased by nearly 40 percent, outpacing inflation, according to a recent PowerLines report. |
