Identify Clean Energy Policies and Programs

Tools by Step

After creating a collaborative and establishing goals, states typically assess existing policies and programs. This information is then used to make strategic decisions about new opportunities. Once existing and new policies and programs have been identified, states can develop criteria to evaluate them.

Step 1. Inventory Existing Policies

Identifying and evaluating existing clean energy programs determines if they should be extended, expanded, or modified to support the state’s clean energy goals. An inventory of existing policies might include, for example, state programs to “green” state facilities, purchase energy efficient appliances, and encourage employees to use public transportation. One resource that can help inventory existing policies is EPA’s State Clean Energy Policy Maps and Data Table. It tracks policies on a state-by-state basis and is accessible below.

Step 2. Identify Potential New Policies

States typically identify new policies to augment or replace existing policies and to meet related goals and objectives. The Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership’s Guide to Action contains a detailed description of 16 policy options that states have found to be “best-practices.” States can use this resource to prioritize options for consideration.

Step 3. Establish Criteria to Assess Policies

Once existing and new policies have been identified, the next step is to establish criteria to evaluate whether they are likely to achieve goals and objectives in cost-effective manner. Setting criteria prior to beginning the evaluation process helps ensure objectivity and is useful for identifying the appropriate tools and resources.

Examples of criteria used by states to assess renewable energy, energy efficiency, and heat island policies can be inferred from the tools accessible here. Sample criteria include:

Pollution reduction
Cost-effectiveness
Ease of implementation
Political feasibility
Payback period
Short and long-term economic benefit (e.g., impacts on jobs, state revenues, and gross state product)

Finding What You Need

States are using a variety of tools and resources to identify policies and programs. The following links are directed to several examples:

Best practice clean energy policies – States can review best practice clean energy policies and programs to help prioritize options and identify unique approaches.
State policy tracking – Awareness of what policies other states have implemented can assist in identifying best practices and state-specific opportunities.
Energy efficiency potential and feasibility – Analyzing energy efficiency potential can help states identify cost-effective opportunities to implement energy efficient strategies to reduce emissions.
Renewable energy potential and feasibility – Analyzing renewable efficiency potential can help states identify cost-effective opportunities to implement energy efficient strategies to reduce emissions.
Heat island effect – States can review and evaluate efforts to reduce heat islands and achieve related benefits such as reducing air pollution and achieving energy savings.