State Political Winds Turn Against Renewable Energy

Last fall's Republican victories might mean that state legislatures will turn back the clock on laws requiring renewable energy.

1 minute read

January 26, 2015, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


According to an article by Elizabeth Daigneau, "in the wake of a Republican wave in several states in November, attacks on renewable energy standards may resurface in Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, to name a few."

Daigneau lays out the case made by either side of the issue and examines the political situation in Kansas, specifically, where a bill to repeal the state's 2009 renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was narrowly defeated in the Kansas House two years ago. However, with five new seats in the same body of the state legislature, Republicans are mobilizing to try to rescind the RPS again.

The actions come despite the overwhelming popularity of the state's RPS, according to at least one poll. "A poll commissioned last year by the pro-renewable Climate + Energy Project in Kansas found that among Kansas voters, 73 percent of Republicans, 75 percent of independents and 82 percent of Democrats support the 2009 RPS law," reports Daigneau.  

Monday, January 5, 2015 in Governing

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