Policies

The Dashboard’s policy pages provide information for each type of climate policy, including explanatory text, maps of where the policy is enacted, key resources, model rules, model states, and a detailed list of policy status by state. These policies are organized into 7 policy areas. Select one of the following policy areas, or use the full policy table to explore policies and navigate to a specific policy page. A spreadsheet of all policy data across 50 states can also be downloaded.

Download all policy data

Explore climate policies by area

Climate Governance and Equity

Buildings and Efficiency

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to reduce the amount of GHG emissions across all economic sectors. These targets aim to limit emissions by certain amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year.	Climate Governance	0 components	25 states
Climate Action Plans Climate action plans are documents that clearly outline the policies and strategies that the state intends to implement to meet its emissions reduction targets. Draft plans are often published first, and after a period of public comments and revisions, a final plan is released.	Climate Governance	0 components	23 states
State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory State greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories report sector-based GHG emissions in a given year, and often provide historical data on emissions over time. Inventories may also include data on co-pollutant emissions.	Climate Governance	0 components	25 states
Climate Bureaucracy Climate bureaucracy consists of dedicated climate offices and staff, interagency working groups, task forces, and other bodies made up of government staff. These bodies are often responsible for writing a state's climate plan and implementing the policies and strategies identified to meet its climate targets.	Climate Governance	0 components	14 states
Climate Advisory Bodies Climate advisory bodies often write or advise on a state's climate plan, and make non-binding recommendations on climate policy design and implementation. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Climate Governance	0 components	14 states
Environmental Justice Community Definitions Environmental justice (EJ) community definitions identify the specific, quantifiable thresholds that designate a geographical area as an EJ community. These definitions account for multiple factors, including both environmental and socioeconomic stressors, that may contribute to persistent environmental health disparities.	Environmental Justice and Equity	0 components	19 states
Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Environmental justice (EJ) mapping tools are interactive maps that visualize key EJ concepts, such as demographic information, EJ community definitions, and environmental and public health threats.	Environmental Justice and Equity	0 components	17 states
Environmental Justice Community Investment Requirements Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities.	Environmental Justice and Equity	0 components	5 states
Environmental Justice Bureaucracy Environmental justice (EJ) bureaucracy consists of dedicated EJ offices and staff, interagency task forces, and other bodies made up of government staff responsible for developing and implementing EJ policy. These entities are often tasked with integrating EJ and equity into climate policy design and implementation.	Environmental Justice and Equity	0 components	20 states
Environmental Justice Advisory Bodies Environmental justice (EJ) advisory bodies are responsible for making recommendations on EJ policy, integrating EJ and equity principles into climate policy, and increasing public engagement. These bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Environmental Justice and Equity	0 components	18 states
Cumulative Impact Assessment Cumulative impact assessments determine the health and environmental impacts of renewing or granting a permit for certain pollution-generating facilities in environmental justice communities. Increased pollution burdens in communities may result in the permit application being denied.	Environmental Justice and Equity	0 components	5 states
Just Transition Plans Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification.	Just Transition	0 components	2 states
Just Transition Offices and Staff Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition.	Just Transition	0 components	5 states
Just Transition Advisory Bodies Just transition advisory bodies write or advise on a state's just transition plan or report, and make recommendations on ways to support affected workers, communities, and industries. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members.	Just Transition	0 components	6 states
Just Transition Funds Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels.	Just Transition	0 components	2 states

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Green Banks Green banks are public, quasi-public, or non-profit entities that use innovative financing to invest in climate solutions and attract private capital across various economic sectors.	Climate Finance	0 components	20 states
Carbon Pollution Pricing Carbon pollution pricing establishes a pollution fee or cap-and-trade program on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with each sector/source of emissions within the state. Programs typically cover the electricity, buildings, transportation, and/or industrial sectors.	Carbon Valuation	0 components	12 states
Social Cost of Carbon The social cost of carbon is a monetary estimate of the damage of each ton of greenhouse gases emitted. The social cost of carbon is used to quantify and monetize climate damages, representing the net economic cost of climate pollution to society.	Carbon Valuation	0 components	9 states

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Clean Energy and Renewable Portfolio Standards Clean energy standards and renewable portfolio standards set a target for a specific amount of clean or renewable electricity the state must generate by a certain year, often with incremental targets over time.	Energy Plans and Targets	0 components	36 states
Electricity Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Electricity greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit GHG emissions in the electricity sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by different amounts over time, often expressed as percentage relative to a baseline year.	Energy Plans and Targets	0 components	6 states
Clean Energy Plans Clean energy plans are documents that outline the policies and strategies states can implement to meet clean energy targets. Draft plans are often published first, and after a period of public comments and revisions, a final plan is released.	Energy Plans and Targets	0 components	11 states
Distributed Generation/Solar Carve-out Distributed generation/solar carve-outs require that a certain percentage of electricity generation used to meet a state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) comes from distributed generation or small-scale solar. This policy is only considered enacted if a state fulfills all components of that policy.	Clean Energy Generation	5 components	9 states
Net Metering Net metering allows a customer to be credited for selling energy they generate back to the utility company and establish rules for the transactions. This policy is only considered enacted if a state fulfills all components of that policy.	Clean Energy Generation	11 components	0 states
Shared Renewables Shared renewables policies allow for shared solar systems that have multiple owners or subscribers, each of which pays for a portion of generation from the shared system. This policy is only considered enacted if a state fulfills all components of that policy.	Clean Energy Generation	6 components	3 states
Community Choice Aggregation Community choice aggregation allows local governments to procure power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider.	Clean Energy Generation	0 components	10 states
Energy Storage Targets Energy storage targets establish procurement targets for energy storage systems by a certain date, often with interim targets. Targets can vary from broad megawatt (MW) requirements to more specific mandates that focus on the adoption of certain storage technologies.	Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage	0 components	13 states
Interconnection Standards Interconnection standards create a streamlined, affordable and predictable set of procedures and requirements for connecting new distributed energy resources safely and reliably to the grid.	Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage	0 components	37 states
Coal Phaseouts Coal phaseouts establish a target year by which states must end coal-fired power generation.	Coal Retirement	0 components	9 states
Coal Plant Securitization Coal securitization is a financing tool that allows utility companies to refinance debt they issued to build coal plants and close the facilities early without taking a financial hit or passing costs on to ratepayers.	Coal Retirement	0 components	8 states

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Residential Energy Codes Residential energy codes are statewide building codes that dictate the energy performance requirements of newly constructed residential buildings.	Building Codes	0 components	41 states
Commercial Energy Codes Commercial energy codes are statewide building codes that dictate the energy performance requirements of newly constructed commercial buildings.	Building Codes	0 components	41 states
Stretch Building Energy Codes Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes.	Building Codes	0 components	8 states
Appliance Standards Appliance standards set minimum energy and water conservation requirements for appliances and equipment.	Building Standards	0 components	19 states
Building Performance Standards Building performance standards establish energy and/or greenhouse gas performance targets for existing buildings in a state. These targets increase in stringency over time, leading to efficiency improvements in buildings to conserve energy and reduce emissions.	Building Standards	0 components	2 states
Clean Heat Standards Clean heat standards establish a performance standard requiring heat providers to deliver a gradually-increasing percentage of low-emission heating services to customers.	Building Standards	0 components	2 states
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) Energy efficiency resource standards (EERS) establish targets and deadlines for utilities to reduce electricity demand through efficiency or "demand side" programs.	Building Efficiency	0 components	30 states
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Property assessed clean energy (PACE) allows residential and/or commercial property owners to finance efficiency upgrades with loans tied to the property.	Building Efficiency	0 components	35 states
Weatherization Funding Weatherization funding provides financial assistance to homeowners/tenants for home repairs and improvements to insulation, appliances, windows and lighting. This policy is only considered enacted if a state fulfills all components of that policy.	Building Efficiency	4 components	5 states
All-Electric Buildings All-electric buildings policies require new buildings to be constructed with all-electric heating, cooling, and cooking systems to transition away from fossil-fuel use in buildings.	Building Electrification	0 components	3 states

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles.	Light-Duty Vehicles	0 components	18 states
Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates, also known as "clean car standards," require automakers to produce and sell a certain percentage of zero-emission light-duty vehicles each model year based on total new vehicle sales. The most stringent ZEV mandates require 100% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2035 and are known as "Advanced Clean Cars II".	Light-Duty Vehicles	0 components	17 states
Electric Vehicle Rebates Electric vehicle rebates offer rebates to make light-duty electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.	Light-Duty Vehicles	0 components	11 states
Low NOx Omnibus Rules Low NOx Omnibus Rules establish stringent tailpipe emission standards for heavy duty vehicles, updated testing procedures, and technology-neutral compliance mechanisms to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) pollution. The regulation must be adopted first by California, and other states may adopt the regulation under the federal Clean Air Act.	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	0 components	8 states
Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) zero-emission vehicle mandates, also known as "Advanced Clean Trucks", require automakers to produce and sell a certain number of zero-emission MHD vehicles to fulfill a quota based on a percentage of total sales in states.	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	0 components	11 states
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.	Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles	0 components	4 states
Public Fleet Electric Vehicle (EV) Procurement Targets Public fleet electric vehicle (EV) procurement targets require that a certain percentage or number of vehicles purchased or leased by the state are zero-emission or electric vehicles. This can apply to passenger cars, light-duty vehicles, and/or medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in a state’s public fleet.	Lead by Example	0 components	18 states
Electric Bus Procurement Targets Electric bus procurement targets require that a certain percentage or number of school buses and/or transit buses purchased or leased by the state, transit authorities, and/or school districts must be electric or zero-emissions.	Lead by Example	0 components	7 states
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Requirements Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements establish mandates for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in new construction or developments, such as residential or commercial buildings, and public parking lots.	EV Charging Infrastructure	0 components	9 states
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Rebates Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure rebates offer rebates to make the purchase and/or installation costs of EV charging infrastructure more affordable.	EV Charging Infrastructure	0 components	6 states
Electric Vehicle (EV) and EV Charging Infrastructure Plans Electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging infrastructure plans are documents that provide a framework to guide the development, coordination, and adoption of EVs and EV charging infrastructure.	Transportation Plans and Targets	0 components	17 states
Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit emissions in the transportation sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by specific amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year.	Transportation Plans and Targets	0 components	6 states
Low Carbon Fuel Standards A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.	Transportation Plans and Targets	0 components	4 states
Bicycle Friendly States The League of American Bicyclists’ State Report Cards evaluate and rank the safety and efficiency of active transportation systems across all 50 states. This policy is only considered enacted if a state fulfills all components of that policy.	Public and Active Transportation	5 components	11 states

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Buy Clean Requirements Buy clean requirements mandate or incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as concrete and steel, in public projects to address embodied carbon.	Industrial Decarbonization	0 components	6 states
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Regulations Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulations include phasedown commitments, rulemakings, disclosure requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce HFC usage and emissions.	F-gas Regulations	0 components	12 states
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Regulations Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.	F-gas Regulations	0 components	5 states
Oil and Gas Methane Regulations Oil and gas methane regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, leak detection and repair, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production.	Oil and Gas Regulations	0 components	7 states
Fracking Bans Fracking bans prohibit the practice of hydraulic fracking for the production of oil and/or natural gas by a certain year. Legislation often requires an environmental agency or department to promulgate regulations.	Oil and Gas Regulations	0 components	6 states
Landfill Methane Regulations Landfill methane regulations include rulemakings, emissions monitoring, emissions control, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from decaying organic waste in landfills.	Waste Management	0 components	4 states
Food Waste Bans and Targets Food waste bans and targets include policies that prohibit certain entities that generate specified amounts of food waste (typically commercial businesses and larger institutions) from sending this waste to landfills. Targets aim to reduce total food waste by a certain percentage each target year.	Waste Management	0 components	10 states

Glossary of Terms

Go to Policy Area

Policy	Policy Category	Components	Enacted
Agriculture Financial Incentives Agriculture financial incentives support healthy soils and regenerative agriculture. Incentives may include reduced crop insurance premiums, property tax exemptions, grants, or cost-share programs.	Agriculture	0 components	23 states
Agriculture Technical Assistance Programs Agriculture technical assistance programs provide state-driven technical assistance, apprenticeship and mentorship programs, and support securing additional funding for farmers to increase uptake of soil health practices.	Agriculture	0 components	15 states

The State Climate Policy Dashboard tracks only passed policies and does not include bills currently proposed in legislative sessions. The website is intended to illustrate the current status of policies for each state, as well as key resources and model states for each policy.

Much of the information contained in this database is derived from the public domain, with links to resources provided. The information provided is made available solely for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Click here for full Terms of Use.

Report an issue

See something we’re missing or a needed correction in our data?

Tell us about it