Your policy decisions have an effectful influence, whether they relate to renewable energy, carbon emissions reduction or providing employment and training to displaced fossil fuel workers.
As part of efforts to combat climate change, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be drastically reduced rapidly – this requires moving away from fossil fuels towards cleaner forms of renewable energy such as solar or wind power.
Electrification
Electrification–using electricity instead of fossil fuels–is an increasingly important policy issue. By switching over, electrification can lower energy costs, lower emissions and enhance energy efficiency – it is key to building a clean and sustainable energy future.
Governments can accelerate electrification of transportation, buildings, and industry by offering companies and households incentives to invest in electric vehicles (EVs), electric heating/cooling systems (ECHSs), solar panels, or other solutions with short payback periods – such as tax credits or subsidy programs to encourage purchases of EVs or similar measures.
Building electrification is an effective strategy to combat climate impacts and support affordable housing. Electricity generated from heat pumps installed in residential buildings can reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and make communities more resilient against extreme weather. But electrification should not impose higher costs onto vulnerable households – ideal solutions would use low-cost renewable sources like wind or solar power for powering these systems.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources are key to lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Yet transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean power requires energy storage solutions and strategies that manage variability, backup generation, and long-distance transmission – processes which may not come easily or without difficulty.
As part of an effort to integrate more renewables into energy mixes, increasing their proportion requires policy modifications like feed-in tariffs, auction mechanisms and carbon pricing policies. Adopting a framework which supports these goals can ensure a thriving, sustainable renewable energy industry that’s prepared for global transition towards cleaner energies.
Many states have set ambitious renewable energy goals. Governor Gina Raimondo has issued Executive Order (20-01), mandating that her Office of Energy Resources “conduct economic and energy market analysis and develop viable policy and programmatic pathways” towards 100% renewable electricity in Rhode Island by 2033. Furthermore, 2019 legislation proposes cutting GHGs by 85% by 2050 while setting zero-emission electricity targets by 2040 for utilities (excluding rural electric co-ops who must meet this goal by 2045).
Fossil Fuels
Countries develop different energy policies based on national interests. These may include efforts to decrease dependence on fossil fuels, increase system reliability and resource diversification, create technology export potential or ensure electricity access. They may also align with international agreements on decarbonization, climate change and sustainable development goals.
Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are major contributors to climate change and have considerable environmental ramifications. Their production consumes energy while transport requires even more. Furthermore, mining and use require significant infrastructure investments while leaving behind environmental issues like polluted land and waterways.
Carbon pricing is one form of subsidy often utilized by governments to shift the cost of fossil fuels onto consumers, while tax credits, direct spending and support for research can also have an effect.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency offers numerous advantages: it lowers costs for consumers and businesses, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and conserves natural resources; creates local jobs; helps address climate justice issues like lower-income communities being exposed disproportionately to fossil fuel pollution; strengthens grid reliability while supporting economic growth by decreasing electricity demand.
Many advances in energy efficiency are funded, promoted or enforced through government policies – whether state and federal subsidies, efficiency mandates or tax incentives – making governors an invaluable ally when it comes to supporting these policies and encouraging innovative financing solutions for energy efficiency initiatives.
Studies indicate that market-based methods may be more effective at encouraging energy efficiency than command-and-control rules for stimulating it. Energy saving credits or vouchers offer one such effective market-based method for encouraging adoption of energy-efficiency technologies and practices among individuals and businesses alike, and may also adapt more easily to changing energy markets and technology than traditional command-and-control policies.