LOCALIZE IT: How green energy shift creates uncertain future

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:

The nation’s energy supply is being transformed as states and utilities shift toward power sources that don’t emit carbon and add to the warming of the planet. If this ongoing change has not already affected your communities, it will soon.

Reducing or eliminating use of carbon-based fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas is raising questions about whether wind, solar and other renewable sources will provide enough energy to keep the lights on. A number of energy experts, including those aligned with Democratic governors, believe it won’t be.

Nuclear power is re-emerging as an important part of the discussion, especially as new technologies allow development of much smaller reactors than traditional nuclear power plants. The idea is that those can be placed near communities throughout the U.S. as a way to stabilize a local or regional power grid. This comes with its own risks, which will be debated in communities such as yours in the years to come.

How energy supplies are changing, how that will affect the stability of the power grid, whether the changes will hit consumers in the pocketbook, and the risks and benefits of new nuclear technology are issues that will lead to sharp debate in states and local communities across the U.S.

Because the impacts of an evolving energy grid will be felt everywhere, here are some tools and tips to help you localize the story and create content for your own audience. We include summaries of the energy policies in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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LOCALIZATION TIPS:

Here are some ways to localize reporting regarding how the energy grid is changing and what that will mean.

— Ask your local utility whether it has a policy of shifting away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources. If not, why? If so, is it a policy that shifts away entirely from fossil fuels, or is it a so-called “net zero” policy, where the amount of greenhouses gases produced is to be no more than the amount taken out of the atmosphere? Were the goals set internally by the utility or mandated by the state? Research the mix of energy sources, the timeline over which the transformation is to take place and then contact energy experts in your region to get their take on how feasible the plan will be.

— Ask the utility and outside experts about the reliability of the local and regional power grid as the shift to renewable energy takes place. What is the plan to ensure that there will be enough energy at all times to power homes and businesses? If your state has a commission that regulates utilities, does it have a plan to ensure that all communities across the state will have a stable power source as the grid relies on more and more energy from solar, wind, hydropower and other renewable sources?

— Press the utility on how consumers’ monthly energy bills will change as the transformation to renewable energy sources accelerates. Are they expected to rise? If so, why and by how much? Is there any way consumers and businesses facing higher bills can lower them — for example, by adding rooftop solar systems? Is the utility taking any steps to encourage consumers to add solar to their homes or businesses? If not, why?

— Does your local utility plan on maintaining, expanding or adding nuclear power to its mix of energy sources? If so, in what form? Is it considering the emerging nuclear technologies involving smaller modular reactors that are cooled by water, gas, liquid metal or molten salt? If so, how far along are its plans, where does it plan to locate these and does it plan to hold public hearings or solicit public feedback in other ways?

USE THIS CONTEXT

You can drop these context paragraphs, written and vetted by our subject experts, into your local stories:

A sharp debate is emerging in many states as they consider transitioning away from fossil fuel for supplying energy and toward renewable power from wind, solar, hydropower and other sources: Will renewable energy be reliable and plentiful enough to power homes and businesses at all times? Some states, such as California, are betting that it will, especially with improved storage capacity of batteries, but others are skeptical.

Many governors, utility executives and energy experts say relying on renewable sources alone is insufficient and argue that nuclear power, which also produces no carbon emissions, is needed to help bridge the gap. An Associated Press survey of the energy polices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that a majority say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. The momentum building behind nuclear power could lead to the first expansion of nuclear reactor construction in the U.S. in more than three decades.

New technologies have made reactors far smaller than in the past, allowing them to be placed in numerous communities to help supplement local and regional power grids. Some environmental groups are critical of the building momentum toward more nuclear power, saying they are skeptical the new modular reactors will be built and operated safely.

LINK REFERENCES/NEED:

https://www.eia.gov/state/

https://spotforcleanenergy.org/

https://www.c2es.org/document/greenhouse-gas-emissions-targets/

https://nei.org/resources/map-of-us-nuclear-plants

https://www.statista.com/statistics/614164/us-nuclear-power-electricity-generation-by-state/

A SUMMARY OF THE ENERGY POLICY FOR YOUR STATE BASED ON AP RESEARCH

ALABAMA: Alabama does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. The state is the fourth-largest producer of electricity from nuclear power in the nation. The Browns Ferry nuclear power plant, with three reactors, is the second-largest U.S. nuclear electric generating facility. Officials believe a mix of sources is the key to sustainable energy. The state’s primary resource for electricity generation is natural gas, followed by nuclear, coal, hydroelectric and renewables. Officials say they do not currently anticipate an immediate or significant change in the mix of power sources.

ALASKA: Alaska does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions, but does have a goal to produce more of the state’s electricity from renewable resources and reduce energy use. Alaska currently meets nearly 30% of its electric power generation from renewable resources and aims to increase that to 50% by 2025. Its current power generation mix is 65% oil and gas, 27% hydroelectric and 6% coal and about 2% renewable sources such as wind and solar. Alaska has more isolated microgrids than any other state and several of these communities operate on 100% renewable energy, according to the Alaska Energy Authority. Juneau, the capital, is completely powered with hydropower. Kodiak also gets all its power from renewable sources, with about 75% from hydropower and 25% from wind. Alaska does not produce electricity from nuclear power, but it’s planning for the use of small modular nuclear reactors.

ARIZONA: Arizona does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions, though officials say they’re achieving results in greenhouse gas reductions thanks to market forces and a balanced energy portfolio. It produces electricity from nuclear power. Arizona’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is the largest nuclear power plant, the largest net generator of electricity and the second-largest power plant by capacity of any kind in the nation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state says roughly a third of its energy production comes from non-fossil fuel alternative sources (nuclear, hydroelectric and solar). The Arizona Corporation Commission set a renewable energy standard requiring regulated electric utilities to generate 15% of their energy from renewable resources by 2025. In addition Arizona’s major utilities have voluntarily committed to clean energy: Arizona Public Service has a goal of 100% clean energy by 2050; Tucson Electric Power has a goal of 70% renewable power to retail customers by 2035; and the Salt River Project has a goal to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted per megawatt-hour by 90% by 2050.

ARKANSAS: Arkansas does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. Nuclear energy has historically been a major factor in the state’s energy portfolio. Arkansas has one large nuclear plant, which provided about 30% of net energy generation in the state in 2020. Natural gas exceeded coal for the first time as the leading source of electricity generation in 2020 and accounted for almost one-third of the state’s net generation. Officials say nuclear energy will continue to feature heavily in the state’s future. Renewables, while a growing percentage of the energy mix, still represent a small portion of the energy generated in Arkansas. Hydropower, biomass, solar, and other renewables provide about 10% of Arkansas’ electricity generation, officials there said.

CALIFORNIA: California has a state-level goal to reduce emissions to net zero by 2045. It’s scheduled to close its last remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, in 2025, as it turns to cheaper renewables. The state’s primary resource for electricity generation is natural gas, followed by renewable resources other than hydropower, then nuclear power and hydropower. It was the nation’s top producer of electricity from solar, geothermal and biomass energy in 2019, and the state was second in the nation in conventional hydroelectric power generation. While California was the fourth-largest electricity producer in the nation in 2019, it also was the nation’s largest importer of electricity and received about 28% of its supply from generating facilities outside the state, including imports from Mexico, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Officials think they can meet their 2045 goal if California sustains its expansion of clean electricity generation capacity at a “record-breaking rate for the next 25 years,” building on average 6 gigawatts of new solar, wind and battery storage resources annually, according to state planning documents. The governor’s proposed 2022-23 budget includes an additional $3.8 billion for the California Energy Commission for a clean energy package and electric vehicle infrastructure, the single largest infusion of money in the agency’s history.

COLORADO: Colorado has a state-level goal to reduce emissions across its economy 90% below 2005 levels by 2050, with utilities reducing emissions by at least 80%. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. In 2020, coal-fired power plants provided roughly one-third of Colorado’s net generation, down from about two-thirds in 2010, while electricity from natural gas and renewable energy sources increased. Colorado’s renewable electricity net generation has more than tripled since 2010, led by wind and solar projects, and accounted for 30% of the state’s total generation in 2020. Officials said they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2030 with existing technologies, but the state needs a firm zero-carbon resource to achieve the rest. New forms of long-duration storage, hydrogen-combustion turbines, gas with carbon capture or modular nuclear reactors could play important roles, the Colorado Energy Office said.

CONNECTICUT: Connecticut has a state-level goal to reduce emissions across its economy 80% below 2001 levels by 2050, with the state also working to identify ways to achieve a zero-carbon electric supply by 2040. Its one nuclear plant generated nearly 40% of the state’s electricity in 2020 and is scheduled to operate until 2029, though the state has looked at keeping it open through 2040. The modeling highlights its significance and recommends that it be supported through a regional effort, not just by Connecticut, if it continues to operate. The state’s modeling for the cheapest zero-carbon mix through 2040 relies heavily on offshore wind, predicting it will meet half the state’s needs, while solar, imports and land-based wind account for the other half. In 2020, natural gas fueled slightly more than half the state’s electricity net generation.

DELAWARE: Delaware has a state-level goal to reduce emissions by at least 26% by 2025 from 2005 levels. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power and has no plans to promote the development of nuclear power, though it does use some power from nuclear plants in neighboring states because it draws on the regional grid. Delaware is a net importer of electricity. Officials said most of the electricity used is either imported over power lines or generated in-state with natural gas imported through gas transmission lines. Natural gas accounts for most of Delaware’s in-state power generation, at 92% in 2020, up from about half in 2010, as the state’s generation from coal fell, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state wants to develop in-state renewable energy as a way to reduce the need to import power from neighboring states. Delaware is requiring that renewable energy sources generate 40% of the electricity in the state by 2035, with 10% coming from solar energy.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: The District of Columbia has a goal to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. Officials say the renewable generation facilities that are part of the regional grid provide more than enough power to meet the district’s needs, though it’s up to the utility to determine what will take the place of fossil fuels. Solar energy and biomass are the primary renewable resources, accounting for about 60% of the district’s total net generation in 2020. The district receives nearly all of its electricity from power plants in nearby states, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

FLORIDA: Florida does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. While it produces electricity from nuclear power, it has no current plans for additional nuclear plants. Florida is one of the top producers of electricity in the nation and natural gas accounted for three-fourths of its in-state generation in 2020, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nuclear power is the second-largest source of in-state generation. Florida’s agriculture commissioner, Nikki Fried, is proposing establishing greenhouse gas reduction targets in the 2022 legislative session, with a goal of 100% by 2055, because she believes doing nothing in Florida to address climate change is no longer an option, her office said. Renewable resources accounted for about 5% of Florida’s in-state electricity generation in 2020, mostly from solar energy.

GEORGIA: Georgia does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. Natural gas and nuclear power account for more than three-fourths of Georgia’s in-state electricity net generation, with renewable resources and coal providing most of the rest. Its renewable resources include biomass, hydroelectric power and solar energy. Georgia has the only current nuclear project under construction in the U.S., the expansion of Plant Vogtle from two of the traditional large reactors to four. The total cost has now more than doubled the original projection of $14 billion and it’s years behind schedule. Officials there say they’re keeping a diverse energy portfolio to ensure reliable production of energy at a reasonable price.

HAWAII: Hawaii has a state-level goal to reduce emissions and to remove more carbon than is being produced no later than 2045. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power and it’s not part of the future mix due to state law. Hawaii was the first state to mandate a total transition to renewable energy. Officials say they’re making strong and steady progress toward that goal, although many of the solar and standalone battery projects announced in 2020 as part of plan to replace coal have been delayed and one of the projects has pulled out. Petroleum-fired power plants have supplied more than three-fourths of Hawaii’s electricity for most of the past two decades, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydropower supply most of the rest. Unlike other states, Hawaii cannot connect to a neighboring region or electric grid so each island operates its own electric grid. State officials say energy storage will be increasingly important for maintaining grid stability and reliability throughout the transition.

IDAHO: Idaho does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. It doesn’t produce electricity from nuclear power, but the governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources said “nuclear very well could have a place here” if small modular reactors can produce electricity cost effectively. There are plans to build a small test reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory, a federal nuclear energy research center. Hydroelectric power plants have typically supplied most of the electricity generated in state, with the balance supplied by natural gas and wind power. About two-thirds of the energy consumed in Idaho comes from out of state, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

ILLINOIS: Illinois has a state-level goal to reduce emissions, reaching 100% carbon-free energy by 2045. Its six nuclear power plants are the most of any state in the U.S. and provide slightly more than half the state’s power. Officials there said they’re rapidly deploying renewable energy and preserving the existing nuclear fleet “as a bridge to a fully renewable power sector.” The state’s primary renewable energy product is biofuels. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a massive energy bill into law in September that phases out private coal by 2030 and all coal and natural gas by 2045. The bill includes nearly $700 million over five years to keep three of the plants open while additional renewable resources come online. The state has a moratorium on new nuclear construction.

INDIANA: Indiana does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, but does receive electricity generated by nuclear plants in other states. Indiana is among the top states for its share of in-state electricity generated from coal, although coal’s share of its energy mix has been declining — from 90% of total generation in 2010 to slightly more than half in 2020, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewable resources supplied nearly 10% of the state’s electricity generation in 2020, with wind energy contributing the largest share. The state also is among the nation’s top producers of biofuels. Officials say they support a diversity of fuel sources for stability and affordability. The state is developing what could become the largest solar farm in the nation and has a number of proposed renewable and battery storage projects.

IOWA: Iowa does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. The state’s only nuclear power plant closed in 2020 after storm winds damaged the power station’s cooling towers, shortly before the plant was scheduled to be decommissioned. Officials say there are no plans to add nuclear to Iowa’s energy mix, but the state is receptive to all sources that will be clean and reliable. They say nearly 60% of Iowa’s electricity is generated by wind – the highest percentage of any state – and they expect that percentage to increase. Solar development is increasing annually as the electricity produced from coal-fired power plants continues to decrease. Coal plants provided about a quarter of the state’s net electricity in 2020, down from slightly more than half five years before, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Officials also said they’re leading one of the most comprehensive initiatives for carbon sequestration through a statewide task force convened by the governor. While they do not have a carbon reduction goal, this work will help their industries meet carbon-free goals set in other states and countries, according to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

KANSAS: Kansas does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions but set a voluntary goal that utilities use 20% renewable energy. Electric utilities met that goal in 2020 and the state’s largest electric utility, Evergy, committed to a long-term strategy to reduce emissions, according to the Kansas Corporation Commission. Kansas produces electricity from nuclear power. Wind surpassed coal in 2019 for the first time as the largest energy source for generating electricity in the state, a trend that continued in 2020 with wind energy accounting for about 40% of the state’s net generation Coal-fired power plants supplied about 30% and the state’s nuclear power plant supplied about 20%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

KENTUCKY: Kentucky does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. It does not project having any nuclear plants, although parts of Kentucky are served by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which does have nuclear in its portfolio. Officials say having a diverse energy portfolio is important to meeting the needs of all consumers and to the state’s economic growth. In 2020, coal-fired power plants supplied nearly 70% of Kentucky’s electricity generation and natural gas is providing an increasing amount of the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Less than one-tenth of the state’s electricity comes from hydroelectric power plants, along with small contributions from biomass, solar energy and other sources.

LOUISIANA: Louisiana has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, but has not identified a specific energy mix to meet the goal. The state’s Department of Natural Resources said reliability, affordability and sustainability are top priorities for Louisiana’s energy systems. It said adopting a diverse mix of renewables and low- or no-carbon non-renewable energy sources will improve reliability and help keep the lights on. Allowing for nuclear and natural gas turbines with carbon capture and storage can help ensure prices are kept as low as possible for ratepayers. Natural gas was the primary fuel used for electricity generation in Louisiana in 2020, accounting for about 70%, while nuclear power accounted for nearly 20%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewable resources provided about 4%, largely through biomass. Louisiana receives about one-fifth of its power from other states through an interstate grid, the EIA said.

MAINE: Maine has a state-level goal to reduce emissions 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. Maine officials believe they have an opportunity as a state to be a leader in clean, renewable energy. They’re requiring the percentage of electricity that comes from renewable resources to reach 80% by 2030 and set a target of 100% by 2050. It’s also one of the first states to have battery storage targets in statute. The state is looking at a number of electricity generation mixes to reach the 2030 goal, including solar, hydropower and wind. In 2020, nearly 80% of Maine’s in-state electricity generation came from renewable resources, mostly from hydroelectric dams, wind turbines, and wood and wood-derived fuels— a larger share than in all other states except Vermont and South Dakota, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state does not generate enough electricity to meet demand and imports some of its electricity supply from Canada.

MARYLAND: Maryland has a state-level goal to reduce emissions 50% by 2030. State statute also calls for 50% renewable energy by 2030. The state produces electricity from nuclear power, and officials say that is important to future energy goals because it’s a carbon-free source. Maryland’s one nuclear plant is the largest carbon-free generating source in the state, accounting for about 40% of in-state net generation. Natural gas accounted for nearly 40%. The Maryland Energy Administration is talking to the manufacturers of small modular reactors to see if these reactors are a fit for the state’s energy generation requirements. The agency also says that while the goal of 100% renewable energy is laudable and costs of solar, storage and similar technologies are declining, a variety of energy sources will be needed for the foreseeable future, including nuclear and cleaner natural gas systems, to ensure reliability. Maryland uses about 60% more electricity than it generates and relies on a regional electricity transmission grid, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. It has a roadmap with multiple ways to achieve its goal. Under its “all options” scenario, Massachusetts would rely on 56% offshore wind, 22% ground-mounted solar, 13% imports, 6% rooftop solar, 1% onshore wind, 1% natural gas and 1% hydro for its electricity production. Gov. Charlie Baker testified before the legislature about his proposal to direct $750 million to support the continued growth and development of the state’s clean energy industry and refine the current process for buying power generated by offshore wind farms. Natural gas accounted for about two-thirds of Massachusetts’ total in-state electricity generation in 2020, while renewable sources provide about a third of in-state generation, most of it from solar energy, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Massachusetts used more than twice as much electricity as it generated in 2019 and relies on the region’s electricity grid, the EIA stated.

MICHIGAN: Michigan has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. In 2020, natural gas fueled the largest share of Michigan’s electricity generation for the first time, surpassing coal, which fell to a third after nuclear power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas accounted for 33% of the state’s electricity generation, while coal’s share fell to 27%. Michigan’s three nuclear power plants supplied 29% of in-state electricity. Officials there say they assume nuclear power will continue to meet about roughly the same share of the state’s electricity needs, while they are trying to increase renewable sources from 10% now to over 50% around 2040, led by the state’s wind farms.

MINNESOTA: Minnesota has a state-level goal to reduce emissions, reaching 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. Renewable resources, mostly from wind energy, provided nearly 30% of the state’s electricity in 2020, followed by two nuclear power plants in the state providing about a quarter of the electricity, coal plants at a quarter and natural gas at 20%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state Department of Commerce said renewable sources are the foundation for their state-level goal, but they are not trying to use renewables for all their electricity. Officials there say energy efficiency and conservation are important elements of the state’s energy planning. The state uses more electricity than is generated in the state, and received as much as one-fifth of its annual electricity supply from the regional grid during the past decade, the EIA said.

MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions, although state officials pointed to the fact that major utilities have declared net zero goals by 2050. The state is home to the nation’s largest single-reactor nuclear power plant, which is licensed to operate until 2044. Natural gas accounted for 80% of the state’s electricity generation in 2020, followed by nuclear power at 10%, coal at 7% and renewables, mostly from biomass, at 3%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Mississippi officials say renewable energy is the fastest-growing segment of the state’s energy mix. A Jackson-based company announced plans in the fall to build a hydrogen hub in it says will be the largest of its kind in the U.S. and create an easier way for manufacturing industries to move away from fossil fuels. The state wants to have fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables and battery energy storage working in tandem. Mississippi generates more electricity than it uses and sends the surplus power to other states over the regional grid.

MISSOURI: Missouri does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions, though state officials pointed to the fact that the largest investor-owned utility plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and another utility is striving for 2045. It produces electricity from nuclear power, with one nuclear plant. Utilities have the flexibility to determine what energy mix will provide affordable, reliable electricity; nuclear power is one of several options they consider. Coal accounted for 70% of Missouri’s electricity generation in 2020, followed by nuclear power at 11%, natural gas at 11% and renewables, primarily wind and hydropower, at less than 10%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Missouri typically uses more electricity than it generates and imports power through the regional grid.

MONTANA: Montana does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions, though state officials said the largest regulated utility, NorthWestern Energy, voluntarily committed to reducing emissions 90 percent by 2045. More than 60% of Montana’s energy generation in 2021 was renewable. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. Lawmakers passed legislation last year that would allow for nuclear development. Coal-fired power plants have typically provided the largest share of Montana’s electricity generation, but that fell below 40% at the end of 2020 and hydroelectric power provided the largest amount of electricity, almost half the state’s generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Montana uses about half the electricity generated in the state and the rest is sent to other western states, mostly Washington and Oregon, through the regional grid, the EIA said.

NEBRASKA: Nebraska does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions. Officials say Nebraska has maintained a reliable mix of diverse energy sources, and that coal, nuclear, natural gas and renewable resources are part of powering the state. All electricity providers are publicly owned. Coal-fired power plants provide the largest share of Nebraska’s electricity generation, at more than half, though that is its lowest level since at least 1990, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wind accounted for almost one-quarter of Nebraska’s net generation in 2020, followed by nuclear power providing one-sixth. More electricity is typically produced in Nebraska than is consumed there, with the surplus sent to the regional grid.

NEVADA: Nevada has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions to zero or near zero by 2050. It’s also requiring 50% of all electricity sold in state to be from renewable sources by 2030. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. Officials say the state has a unique perspective on the problem of nuclear waste storage because of the failed plan to store the nation’s commercial spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain. They don’t consider it a viable option for energy production. Instead, they see tremendous potential for battery technology for energy storage, solar and geothermal energy. Natural gas is currently the primary source for electricity generation in Nevada, accounting for two-thirds of in-state electricity generation in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewable energy resources, mainly solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power, accounted for about 30%, the EIA said, since Nevada is one of the few states that has utility-scale electricity generation from geothermal energy. Nevada typically uses more electricity than it generates and imports power from other states.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: New Hampshire does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions, though the legislature is requiring about a quarter of the state’s energy to come from renewables by 2025. It produces electricity from nuclear power, with one nuclear plant that represents around 60% of its in-state electricity generation. Natural gas provided slightly more than 20% of in-state generation, while hydroelectric power and other renewable sources supplied almost all the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The New Hampshire Department of Energy said that without nuclear, the region’s environmental goals would be impossible to meet as affordably.

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions 80% below 2006 levels by 2050. Natural gas and nuclear energy account for almost all of New Jersey’s electricity generation. Officials there say nuclear provides an important and stable carbon-free energy source. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said by 2050 they expect that new technologies will ensure reliability for the grid just as fossil fuels do now. That includes battery storage, energy efficiencies or biogas. New Jersey uses more electricity than it produces and relies on the regional grid.

NEW MEXICO: New Mexico has a state-level goal to reduce emissions by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, though some New Mexico utilities draw power from the Palo Verde Generating Station, a nuclear power plant in Arizona. Its Energy Transition Act for the electric sector sets a goal of at least 80% renewable energy and 100% zero-carbon sources, which officials say is achievable in a state with a lot of sunshine and wind. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department said it’s working on a plan to modernize the grid to integrate renewable energy. Coal and natural gas account for the largest share of New Mexico’s in-state electric generation, though coal has steadily declined, to about 37% in 2020, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas accounted for slightly more than a third of in-state generation, while renewable sources, led by wind energy, accounted for most of the rest.

NEW YORK: New York has a state-level goal to reduce emissions 85% from 1990 levels by 2050. It produces electricity from nuclear power, though its future grid is dominated by wind, solar and hydropower. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said it sees a future beyond nuclear, with it dropping from about a quarter of the state’s energy mix to around 5%, but they’ll need advanced, long-duration battery storage and perhaps clean fuels such as hydrogen. Authority President and CEO Doreen Harris said New York’s playbook can demonstrate to others how to achieve these goals in a responsible way, but “at a pace that matches the urgency of the threat that we are fighting together.” New York’s governor announced a strategy in December for the state to achieve at least 10 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2030, enough to annually power nearly 700,000 homes. Natural gas, nuclear power and hydroelectricity combined have provided more than 90% of New York’s electricity generation for the past decade, with renewables such as wind, biomass and solar providing most of the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 2020, renewables generated more electricity than nuclear plants in New York for the first time, the EIA added. The state typically needs more power than it generates and imports power from neighboring states and Canada.

NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina has a state-level goal to reduce emissions from electric public utilities and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It produces electricity from nuclear power, and officials say it’s a substantial part of the energy landscape by providing about one-third of the electricity used in the state. Natural gas provided slightly less than nuclear power in 2020, the remaining coal-fired power plants provided nearly 20% and renewable sources accounted for almost all the rest of the state’s electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state’s energy law requires the North Carolina Utilities Commission to develop a plan to meet the 2050 goal and it will decide the generation mix. North Carolina uses more power than is generated in the state so extra electricity is supplied from other states through the regional grid.

NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota has a state-level goal to reduce emissions and become the first carbon-neutral state by 2030. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, but officials there said they’re interested in learning more about small modular reactors. North Dakota’s commerce commissioner, James Leiman, favors a diverse mix of energy sources to make sure the grid is reliable, prices are affordable and environmental goals, if set, are attainable. He said the state is going to “innovate, not regulate.” Coal-fired power plants accounted for 57% of North Dakota’s electricity generation in 2020, with the rest coming primarily from wind energy, which supplied about one third of the state’s generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. North Dakota generates more electricity than it uses, with almost half the power generated in the state sent to other states and Canada through the regional electric grid, the EIA added.

OHIO: Ohio does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions in the electric sector, though officials said utilities are required to be part of a regional transmission organization and operate in a competitive environment that has significantly reduced carbon emissions from power plants. The state produces electricity from nuclear power, with two generating stations in Ohio. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio said investment in new electric generation in Ohio is driven by the marketplace, not planned by state regulators. The commission said there has been an influx of investment in utility-scale solar power over the last two years. Ohio is requiring that 8.5% of electricity sold by the state’s electric utilities or electric services companies be generated from renewable energy sources by 2026. Natural gas surpassed coal as the top source for in-state electricity generation for the first time in 2019. In 2020, natural gas accounted for 43% of in-state generation, compared to coal at 37%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nuclear provided 15% while renewables, primarily wind, accounted for most of the rest, the EIA added.

OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. The state already reduced emissions by about 35% while keeping electricity costs low, and is on track to meet the goal, according to the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. The energy secretary’s office said the state is open to including advanced nuclear and small modular reactor technology, particularly as coal plants are being retired. However, the office expects significant opposition to nuclear because of waste issues, past nuclear accidents and the activism that defeated the proposed Black Fox Nuclear Power Plant in Oklahoma in the 1970s. It added that the state wants to lead in energy innovation, so does not favor any power source over another. Natural gas provided more than half the in-state energy in 2020 while wind accounted for more than one-third, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Almost all the rest comes from other renewable resources, primarily hydroelectric power. Oklahoma produces more electricity than it uses and sends the surplus to other states.

OREGON: Oregon has a state-level goal to reduce emissions by at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. It’s also requiring that at least 50 percent of the electricity used in the state must come from renewable sources by 2040, and coal must be eliminated from the electricity mix by 2030. It created a clean energy standard for the two largest utilities to reach 100% zero carbon emissions by 2040. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, although utilities get a small portion of their electricity from nuclear power plants in other states. One of the investor-owned utilities in the state, PacifiCorp, is actively exploring nuclear options in other states, which could be used to serve Oregon customers, the Oregon Department of Energy said. The department said it relies on the existing hydropower system for a large portion of the state’s energy — currently about half— and will increasingly supplement that with wind and solar in the years ahead. Natural gas accounts for about one-third of the state’s generation and renewables supply most of the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state energy department said it’s continuing to explore solutions, such as the deployment of battery storage or floating offshore wind turbines, that could help the state maintain an affordable, reliable power system while meeting its climate objectives.

PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania has a state-level goal to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050 and achieve a 100% clean energy grid. It produces electricity from nuclear power and officials say keeping nuclear energy generation at current levels is a key component of meeting the 2050 goal cost-effectively. It also is expanding energy storage, using biologically derived gas and pursuing a significant electrification of the economy. Natural gas accounts for about half the state’s net generation, followed by nuclear power at about one-third, coal at 10% and renewables providing most of the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electricity generation regularly exceeds Pennsylvania’s power consumption, and the state sends electricity outside its borders over the regional grid, the EIA added.

RHODE ISLAND: Rhode Island has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero by 2050. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources said the state has no plans to develop nuclear energy. Grid operator ISO New England doesn’t foresee new small modular nuclear reactors being built in the densely population region because of the likely community opposition to any proposed construction. Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat, said he is confident states can rely on renewables because the technology is advancing so rapidly. In 2020, Rhode Island generated a larger share of its electricity from natural gas than any other state, nearly 90%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Most of the rest came from solar, wind and biomass.

SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. It produces electricity from nuclear power, with four nuclear plants that accounted for 55% of in-state electricity in 2020, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas accounted for about a quarter of the state’s total generation in 2020, followed by coal at 13% and renewable sources providing most of the rest, primarily hydropower, solar and biomass, the EIA added. South Carolina’s Office of Regulatory Staff said utilities have goals for renewable resources and that aging infrastructure may create the need for additional sources. The state generates more electricity than it consumes and sends surplus power to other states through the regional grid.

SOUTH DAKOTA: South Dakota does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions. The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources said the state doesn’t intend to pick energy winners and losers through mandates or by setting arbitrary carbon reduction levels. It said the goal is to ensure that residents have access to safe, reliable and affordable energy. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. In 2020, hydroelectric power accounted for about half the state’s total generation while wind was about one-third. The rest comes from a combination of natural gas, coal, petroleum and solar. In most years, the state uses more electricity than it generates so it imports power from other states through the regional electric grid, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

TENNESSEE: Tennessee does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. In 2020, nuclear power provided nearly half the state’s electricity generation and natural gas exceeded coal for the first time, accounting for 20% of the mix while coal was 18%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Hydroelectric power was 13% of the state’s generation in 2020 and other renewables accounted for most of the rest. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation directed questions about its energy policy to the Tennessee Valley Authority, as the power provider. The TVA is a federally owned utility that provides electricity to seven states as the nation’s third largest electricity generator. It operates three nuclear plants and is collaborating with Kairos Power on a small test reactor that uses molten salt to cool the core in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The TVA said it believes nuclear technology plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining the right balance between price, reliability, emissions reduction and efficient electrification. It’s looking to replace coal generation with natural gas, solar with battery storage, other renewables, energy conservation efforts and emerging technologies. The TVA is adding about 10,000 megawatts of solar capacity by 2035. It said that nearly 60% of the energy it supplied in 2021 came from carbon-free sources, and by 2050 the goal is net zero.

TEXAS: Texas does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions. The Public Utility Commission of Texas said it also does not have centralized planning for power generation. Texas produces more electricity than any other state, and natural gas accounted for more than half of that in 2020. Wind supplied 20% and surpassed coal for the first time, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state leads the nation in wind-powered electricity generation, producing almost 30% of the U.S. total in 2020. Renewables, mostly wind, have been surging in Texas for a decade and are likely to keep producing a larger share of the state’s power. The Republican-led legislature has long been supportive of the industry despite the broader hostility to climate activism and its fierce protection of oil and gas. Coal-fired power plants supplied about 17% of the state’s electricity in 2020, while the state’s two nuclear power plants usually supply about 10% of the state’s electricity. The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas operates the state’s main electric grid, which has few connections with power systems that serve other states. The Public Utility Commission said it’s a deregulated wholesale electricity market in which power generators sell energy and the state does not tell generators what kind of power plants to build.

UTAH: Utah does not have a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions, although Utah’s largest utility provider announced a goal to reduce those 98% by 2050. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power. But Thom Carter, the energy advisor to Utah’s governor, said they’re open to it because there is a lot of pressure to move away from fossil fuels, and nuclear power is carbon-free. Rocky Mountain Power, the only investor-owned utility company in Utah, is developing a nuclear plant that will serve Utah in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems also has been working on small modular nuclear generation to serve many cities, Carter said. He said states can shift to all renewables, but they may end up sacrificing reliability and affordability and until that technology catches up: “If you want to have an honest conversation about decarbonization, nuclear has to be at the top of the list,” he said. Carter also said that the state’s mix of energy sources will be determined by what’s affordable, reliable, durable and clean. Coal accounted for about 60% of Utah’s total electricity generation in 2020, down from 75% five years earlier. Natural gas accounted for 25% and almost all the rest came from renewable energy sources, primarily solar, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly all the state’s electric generating capacity added since 2015 is solar. Utah generates more electricity than it uses and supplies power to other states.

VERMONT: Vermont has a state-level goal to reduce emissions 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. A draft energy plan calls for meeting more of the state’s energy needs with renewable sources, up to 90% by 2050. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power (it’s only nuclear plant retired in 2014), although its part of a regional electric grid that is supplied by nuclear power. More than half of Vermont’s electricity supply comes from other states. Vermont’s in-state electricity generation has come almost entirely from renewable sources, led by hydroelectric power, since the permanent shutdown of the nuclear plant, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The Efficiency and Energy Resources Division at the Vermont Department of Public Service said the state’s plans include interim targets for “cleaner” energy, which would open the door for nuclear, and 10% of the total energy needs are not planned to be renewable. The division also said contracting for offshore and onshore wind energy generated from outside of Vermont will be the most cost-effective solution, along with more solar. Optimizing how the grid operates and incorporating significant battery storage will be critical to meeting the goals, the division said.

VIRGINIA: Virginia has a state-level goal to reduce emissions, requiring one of the state’s major utilities to produce its electricity from 100% renewable sources by 2045, while the other has until 2050. Officials said the Virginia Clean Economy Act, signed by the governor in 2020, replaced a voluntary renewable energy standard with a mandatory program. Natural gas and nuclear power accounted the vast majority of Virginia’s in-state electricity generation in 2020, with natural gas at about 60% and the state’s two nuclear power plants supplying about 30%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Renewable energy sources accounted for most of the rest. The Virginia Department of Energy declined to answer questions about the state’s future energy policy because as a state agency, it said it doesn’t speculate or offer an opinion.

WASHINGTON: Washington has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions 95% below 1990 levels by 2050 and achieve net zero. It also has a clean electricity law that says by 2045 electric utilities must supply customers with electricity that is 100% renewable or non-emitting, with no provision for offsets. One nuclear plant supplies less than 10% of the state’s electricity. The Washington State Department of Commerce said new nuclear generating facilities were included in the energy modeling for the 2021 energy strategy, but they were not found to be cost-effective compared to renewable sources. Modeling also showed that absent technological advancements in zero-carbon alternatives, the region will build gas plants for hydrogen-based or biogenic fuels. To ensure demand can be met, the state’s strategies include increasing transmission capacity and using energy storage and hydrogen-based or biogenic fuels. The commerce department said both nuclear energy and offshore wind are potential future resources for Washington, although the long-term management of nuclear waste must be part of any decision to use nuclear energy. Hydroelectric power typically accounts for about two-thirds of Washington’s electricity generation. Natural gas, nuclear energy, non-hydro renewable sources and coal supply the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Washington produces more power than it uses and exports it to other states through the regional grid.

WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia does not have a state-level goal to reduce emissions, although officials said the state’s two electric companies have set goals. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, but some lawmakers are trying to repeal the state’s moratorium on the construction of new nuclear facilities. The West Virginia Office of Energy said the state supports a diverse mix of energy sources, including wind and solar. The state legislature has approved a streamlined process for utility-scale solar. Coal-fired power plants account for almost all West Virginia’s electricity generation, while natural gas, wind and hydropower supply most of the rest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. West Virginia produces more power than it uses and exports it to other states through the regional grid.

WISCONSIN: Wisconsin has a state-level goal to reduce emissions, with the governor setting a target for 2050 for all electricity consumed within the state to be carbon-free. Its one operating nuclear plant is a major contributor to the state’s current electric needs, accounting for one-sixth of the electric generation, according to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The commission said Wisconsin is seeing significant increases in solar generation coupled with a big decline in coal. Since 2019, 14 utility-scale solar projects have been approved for construction or acquisition, adding 2 gigawatts of capacity. The costs of solar generation have decreased to the point where replacing coal with solar is the most economical option for customers. Coal, natural gas and nuclear energy generate most of Wisconsin’s electricity, with coal the primary resource at about 40%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wisconsin uses more electricity than it generates and imports power from the regional electric grid.

WYOMING: Wyoming has a state-level goal to reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero by 2050. The Wyoming Energy Authority has spent over a decade funding research and development in energy technologies, including carbon capture and storage. It does not produce electricity from nuclear power, but a company called TerraPower recently announced Kemmerer, Wyoming, as the site of its first Natrium reactor demonstration project. The authority said nuclear holds great promise for the production of stable, carbon-free electricity. Coal-fired power plants supplied about 80% of Wyoming’s electricity generation in 2020, which has declined from 95% in the 2000s, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wind power has more than doubled since 2009, contributing 12% in 2020. Natural gas and hydroelectric facilities accounted for most of the rest. Wyoming sends about half the electricity it generates out of state.