Community Power Scorecard Grades States on Policies That Help, Hinder Local Clean Energy Action
Minneapolis, Minn. (February 24, 2022) — Four states lead the country in renewable energy policies: California, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois. Created by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), the 2022 edition of the Community Power Scorecard grades each state on whether its energy policies give individuals, cities, and communities the choice to build clean energy wealth locally, rather than rely on incumbent utility companies.
In the 2022 Community Power Scorecard, 4 states excelled, 9 states and the District of Columbia saw above average scores, 9 were average, 15 were mediocre, and 13 states received failing grades. State policies that contributed to higher scores include:
- Customer-friendly net energy metering policies.
- Simplified interconnection rules to encourage distributed renewable energy.
- Allowing communities to choose their own energy sources, and share renewable energy.
- Empowering communities to go further than state building energy efficiency codes.
- Allowing cities to negotiate utility franchise contracts and fees.
- & more.
Maria McCoy, ILSR Research Associate and lead author of the Community Power Scorecard, said, “Many cities have ambitious climate or community resilience goals, but their path forward is limited by state policy. When states remove barriers and provide innovative policy options, communities can make decisions that maximize local benefits in the transition to clean energy.”
Along with a comprehensive ranking of all 50 states, the Community Power Scorecard highlights state leaders in 9 regions of the country.
Read the 2022 Community Power Scorecard here: https://ilsr.org/2022-community-power-scorecard/
About the Institute for Local Self-Reliance:
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has a vision of thriving, equitable communities. We are a national research and advocacy organization that partners with allies across the country to build an American economy driven by local priorities and accountable to people and the planet. ILSR.org
