This survey outlines recent innovations in energy policy at the state level across the U.S. It is organized by state. Below we have provided a list of the survey's contents by topic.
Multi-State Cooperative Initiatives
- Western Governors Association: Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative (led by CA and NM)
- Eight Midwestern states entered into the Memorandum of Understanding for a Midwest Natural Gas Initiative
- The Governor's Ethanol Coalition was formed to increase the use of ethanol fuels ( chaired by Gov. Pawlenty of MN)
- Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will ban MtBE in gasoline as of January 2007
Assistance for Low-Income Residents
- Home weatherization assistance: CT, IL, MD, MT
- Monetary assistance with heating and cooling costs: DE, MD, WI
- Voluntary monetary donations on utility bills: CT
- Multi-agency plans to assist with rising heating costs: VA
Energy Awareness
- Energy Awareness Month: DE
- Website devoted to cost-saving tips: KS
- Incentives for educators to teach about natural resources: OK
Emergency Management
- Additional energy conservation initiatives after Hurricane Katrina: FL
Conservation and Efficiency
- "Green" housing for residents, business or public buildings: FL, MD, NV, NY
- Free conservation and efficiency planning for residents: FL
- State college and university programs to outfit campuses with energy efficient technologies: FL, NV
- Grants and low-interest loans to help public school reduce energy costs and increase efficiency: MA, MO
- Technical services for small businesses to achieve energy efficiency: IL
Alternative Fuels
Biomass
- New technology to convert biowaste to energy: CA
- Tax incentives for using and producing biomass fuel: MD, SD
- Increased use of anaerobic digestion to break down plant and animal waste for energy: MD, MN, WI
- Initiatives to convert trees, wood and wood waste into electricity and renewable fuel: FL, MN, WA
Biodiesel
- General encouragement of biodiesel fuel in state vehicles: CA
Solar Energy
- State programs for private corporations using solar technology: CA
- Solar electric programs for public schools: FL
- Financial incentives for homeowners using/installing solar heating or solar electricity: FL, ME, MD, NJ, OR
- State-wide effort to install solar roofs: MO
Hydrogen
- General hydrogen technology initiative: FL
- Tax credits for use of hydrogen technology: IA
- State cooperation with the Department of Defense to use hydrogen fuels for the U.S. Military: ND
Other
- Initiatives to promote the use of clean coal fuels: KY, LA, PA
- Initiative to tap into geothermal heat: OR
- Using water sources such as rivers for hydropower: OH
- Major off-shore wind farms: TX
Alternative Vehicles and Transportation
- Alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles for state fleets: CT, FL
- Extensive use of E10 and E85 fuel: IA, MN, NE
- State-sponsored rideshare programs: MO
- Tax credits for hybrid vehicles: OR
