Informing Federal Standards to Reduce Carbon Pollution
Georgetown Climate Center conducts legal and policy analysis, facilitates dialogues between federal and state agency leaders, and convenes states and stakeholders to inform the development of federal standards to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector. In December 2022, GCC submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Power Sector Policy Forum that expressed support for “strong standards of performance for existing coal-, oil- and natural gas-fired power plants” in order to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
Convening States and Stakeholders
Georgetown Climate Center convenes states and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities for state leadership on climate and clean energy. The facilitation of regional and multi-state forums, including through the Conveners Network and the States Deployment Initiative, informs the development and implementation of federal policies and programs and serves as a resource for states. GCC’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Power Sector Policy Forum brings together state energy, environment, and utility regulatory agency officials in 11 states to support the transition to cleaner energy in the region.
Georgetown Climate Center also facilitates engagement by subnational leaders, including governors and state agency leaders, in international climate policy development.
Adaptation Clearinghouse: Energy Sector
An online database and networking site that serves policymakers and others who are working to help communities adapt to climate change. This page includes resources to help policymakers understand, plan, and prepare for impacts of climate change to the energy sector, ranging from changes in energy demand to preparing for threats to energy infrastructure.
Reducing Emissions from the Health Care Sector
With support from the Commonwealth Fund, the Georgetown Climate Center is reviewing federal and state energy policies that could help health care delivery organizations meet ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. This includes policies to reduce fossil-fuel use at health care facilities and shift to clean electricity, reduce transportation emissions from health care–related vehicles and fleets, increase resilience from extreme weather events and provide cleaner air for communities near health care delivery facilities, and drive reductions in supply chain emissions.
State-Related Provisions of H.R.2454
June 1, 2009
This document provides an overview of the state-related provisions in the H.R.2454 (American Clean Energy and Security Act) as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (June 26, 2009).
Comment on EPA Endangerment Finding
May 14, 2009
The GCC submitted these comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the Agency's proposed finding of endangerment.
Overview of Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Accountability Act
Outlines the state-related provisions of the Clean Energy and Oil Accountability Act (as released July 27, 2010).
New Subnational Coalitions Demonstrate Leadership After Paris Withdrawal
June 5, 2017
Several governors and a growing number of U.S. leaders have announced they are committed to the Paris climate agreement. In three major announcements, these leaders pledged to reduce carbon pollution and to fill the...
States React to Trump's Decision to Abandon Paris Climate Agreement
June 1, 2017
President Donald Trump announced today he will withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, despite objections from governors, business executives, and global leaders who want America to maintain leadership on...
Massachusetts and Vermont Call on Trump Administration to Stay in Paris Agreement
May 17, 2017
Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker and Vermont Governor Philip Scott sent a joint letter to the Trump Administration on May 17, 2017, requesting that the U.S. stay in the global climate agreement and noting that the U.S. commitment under the agreement is “achievable.” The U.S. committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 under the agreement.
12 Governors Urge Trump to Stay in Paris Agreement, Keep U.S. Commitments
May 3, 2017
Twelve U.S. governors are urging President Trump to remain in the Paris Climate Agreement and keep the United States' commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.
Governors from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington signed onto the letter, which was sent to the White House this morning. The Georgetown Climate Center worked with states to facilitate this letter.
State Responses to Trump Administration’s Executive Order that Seeks to Reverse Federal Climate Policy
March 28, 2017
Following President Donald Trump's executive order directing a review of the Clean Power Plan and rescinding other prior federal actions on climate change, many states issued statements pledging to continue action to address climate change.
The UN's Patricia Espinosa Discusses Climate Change at Georgetown
February 28, 2017
Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, joined the Center's Vicki Arroyo and other experts in a discussion about climate change on Feb. 28 at Georgetown University.
State Environmental Officials and Attorneys General Urge Senate Leaders to Reject Congressional Disapproval of BLM’s Methane Rule
February 7, 2017
State environmental officials and attorneys generals sent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer a letter urging the Senate to vote against disapproving the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) rule to reduce waste from oil and gas production on federal land.
Informing the Maryland Commission on Climate Change
January 31, 2017
The Georgetown Climate Center identifies issues that may be of interest to the Maryland Commission on Climate Change as it finalizes its November 2016 report on the status of Maryland’s climate change efforts and recommendations for legislative action, and develops its 2017 workplans.
State Leaders Highlight Commitment to Climate Action at COP 22
November 17, 2016
In the wake of the U.S. election, state leaders highlighted their commitment to climate action at COP22 this week at events sponsored by the Georgetown Climate Center and others.
New Report Shows U.S. States Leading a Shift to Clean Energy
November 14, 2016
A new report from the Georgetown Climate Center shows that a dramatic shift to clean energy is taking place across the U.S. Between 2011 and 2014, installed wind energy capacity grew by more than 40 percent nationally, for example, while solar capacity grew by 577 percent nationally.