Advancing renewable energy through state policy

State-level policy plays a crucial role in accelerating the growth of solar and energy storage because it directly impacts the factors driving their adoption. States can create supportive permitting and regulatory environments through incentives, streamlined permitting processes, established renewable energy targets, and investments in grid modernization to better accommodate these technologies. This local approach allows states to tailor policies to their specific needs and resources, fostering innovation and attracting investment in the clean energy sector. Ultimately, effective state-level policies can rapidly accelerate clean energy deployment, making solar and energy storage more accessible and affordable, paving the way for a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

There are several policy opportunities to advance the development and deployment of renewable energy in key markets where our team is active. In our home state of Vermont, we are supporting the effort to expand the state’s Renewable Energy Standard to better incentivize new, local renewable energy development. We’re also closely monitoring efforts to grow Vermont’s energy storage market by creating an energy storage performance-based incentive program introduced by Representative Gabrielle Stebbins. Lastly, there is an effort underway to require the largest fossil fuel companies pay their fair share of the expenses Vermonters will incur for having to make necessary infrastructure and other improvements to adapt to the increasing negative effects of Climate Change through the Climate Change Superfund Act. On Feb 1st, we’ll join businesses across Vermont to advocate for these policies as part of the Businesses for Climate Action Lobby Day.

In New Hampshire, there is a legislative effort under way to clear out the backlog of interconnection requests currently stifling renewable energy deployment in the Granite State. Interconnection (IX) is a top challenge facing many developers and SB 391 will require the Public Utilities Commission to begin a rulemaking proceeding for the purposes of setting uniform procedures for distributed energy resources that are proposed for interconnection. On January 23, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard testimony on this legislation, and Encore submitted written testimony providing examples of how the IX process in NH is creating barriers to the delivery of the community scale solar projects demanded by New Hampshire communities and other larger electrical customers in a timely and cost effective manner.

We’re also closely monitoring efforts to expand community solar, streamline permitting and incentivize energy storage in other states across New England, the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.