By Glen Andersen and Kristy Hartman
A comprehensive state energy plan creates a strategy and framework to help states meet changing energy needs and ensure access to affordable, diverse and reliable energy.
An effective plan provides a vision for a state’s energy future, whether it is to promote new industries in the state, boost economic development, reduce energy costs, increase the resiliency of the electric grid or meet environmental goals. It serves as a guide for policymakers, government agencies, industry, businesses and utilities as they develop integrative energy policies.
After a year of studying the role of legislatures and state government in the energy planning process, NCSL’s Task Force on Energy Supply has released a new publication, "Planning the Energy Future: A Policymaker’s Guide to Comprehensive Energy Planning." This guide introduces policymakers to state energy planning and explores legislative approaches to developing an effective plan. The report also investigates the reasons for and goals behind planning efforts, highlighting state examples where useful.
State legislatures play a critical role in creating an energy plan by defining the planning process, the scope of the plan and the stakeholder engagement process.
“The United States in on the verge of energy independence. Responsible regulation along with good corporate partners will help lead us to this goal," said North Dakota House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R), co-chair of NCSL’s Task Force on Energy Supply. Although many comprehensive energy plans have been created through executive order, a plan that is developed through legislative initiative provides a greater opportunity to generate broad support, develop a framework that complements existing policies and ensure that future legislative actions work to achieve the plan’s goals.
Highlights in the “Planning the Energy Future” report include:
- The role of the legislature in the energy planning process.
- Creating the vision for a state energy plan.
- The role of state energy plans in attracting economic development.
- Building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
- Using existing state energy legislation to support the development of an energy plan.
- Ways in which states may address regulatory challenges.
Twenty-one states and the District Columbia have passed legislation to create an energy plan and many other states have adopted plans through executive order. However, some state plans are not closely followed, fail to garner broad support and may not serve their intended purpose.
The goal of this report is to provide policymakers with information they can use to create an effective plan that helps their state meet its energy-related goals, such as energy development, energy security and economic growth.
Glen Andersen is a program director and Kristy Hartman is a senior policy specialist with NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation program. Glen and Kristy staff NCSL’s Task Force on Energy Supply.
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