A new report shows how legislatures across the U.S. have reacted to growing changes in the energy industry, resulting in thousands of new energy laws over the past several years.
The report by Colorado State University’s Center for the New Energy Economy found more than 3,500 energy-related bills became law from 2013 to 2019 in the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
The center explained the new laws were the reflection of a change of public opinion about fossil fuels which have been the target of many of the laws.
The report also pointed a political finger at the federal government stating, “In the absence of comprehensive federal clean energy policy, states have taken the lead.”
The report revealed the number of laws totaled more than 3,500 energy-related bills, based on the study’s count of the legislative action.
“Popular support for climate and clean energy-related action is reflected in state and local policies.”
The university authors opined that the large number of omnibus bills enacted grew “perhaps as a response to new technologies and the increased complexity of managing supply and demand.”
They also pointed to a changing public opinion in support of action by the states to address climate change. Their study contended that “an overwhelming majority of Americans” support a move to 100% renewable electricity generation by 2050.
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