The Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) has produced a review of the advanced energy legislation (PDF) enacted in 2014. Here are a few highlights:
1. In 2014, 430 advanced energy bills have become law. While the total number of enacted bills decreased from 713 in 2013, it is notable that the percentages of energy legislation by policy category held relatively stable across the two sessions. This trend suggests that interest in various energy policies may remain somewhat constant year to year.
2. Notable advanced energy-related legislation was enacted in California (AB 2188), Hawaii (SB 632), Nevada, Maine (SP 644), Minnesota (HF 2834), and Rhode Island (HB 7727, HB 7991), each of which are discussed the report. In particular, South Carolina (SB 1189) became the latest state to enact an RPS, focused on distributed generation.
3. States responded to a number of federal policy developments, notably the EPA’s Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule, the federal Highway Trust Fund, and new pipeline safety rules released by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
