State Policy Tracking

Tools by Topic

State Clean Energy Policy Maps and Data Table

This online resource identifies which states are adopting what policies and initiatives to promote clean energy. The summary table and policy maps highlight state activity on the policies described in the Clean Energy Environment Guide to Action: Policies, Best Practices, and Action Steps for States. The maps and data table provide a “snap shot” of state efforts across the country. EPA updates these materials on a quarterly basis.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/state-and-local/state-best-practices.html

Heat Island Actions Database

The EPA’s Heat Island Reduction Initiative (HIRI) hosts this online database of local and statewide activities to reduce heat islands and achieve related benefits. The database lists and describes efforts currently underway in the United States to cool communities, reduce air pollution, and save energy. The database includes information on the state and locality, the initiative type (e.g., an incentive or a building code), the mitigation type (e.g., cool pavements or green roofs), and the status and description of the action.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/gw/statepolicyactions.nsf/webpages/HIRI_Actions.html

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

The DSIRE Web site provides information about renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and incentives administered by federal and state agencies, utilities, and local organizations. Summary maps provide a geographical perspective of the availability of each renewable energy incentive type across the United States, and the summary tables provide an overview of renewable energy incentives offered in each state. On the renewable side, DSIRE tracks financial incentives and looks at a range of state rules, regulations, and policies. On the efficiency side, DSIRE includes information on incentives for energy efficiency upgrades, purchases of energy efficient products and systems, and construction of new energy efficient buildings.

http://www.dsireusa.org/

Environmental Innovation Portfolio

The EPA’s National Center for Environmental Innovation (NCEI) created the Environmental Innovation Portfolio in recognition of the challenge that state and federal environmental managers face in finding effective new approaches in today’s regulatory programs. This document is designed to: 1) categorize the types of strategies that environmental agencies can use to reap better results; 2) highlight promising projects as examples of approaches that can be adopted or adapted; and 3) promote networking among people working on similar problems who can benefit from shared experiences.

http://www.epa.gov/innovation/portfolio/

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Funding and Regulatory/Rates Opportunities Web Site

The EPA CHP Partnership provides listings of state and federal CHP incentives; state and federal biomass/biogas incentives; and utility, state utility commission, and state environmental agency rules and regulations that remove unintended barriers to clean distributed generation projects. This information is reviewed and updated twice per month.

http://www.epa.gov/chp/funding/index.html

Urban Heat Islands Action Web Site

Visitors to this EPA Web site can learn about how elevated urban temperatures pose environmental and health risks for communities. Users can also explore the energy savings and other benefits of heat island reduction strategies, such as installing “cool roofs,” planting shade trees, and using alternative pavement materials. The site also describes research projects, including findings from the Urban Heat Island Pilot Project in which EPA partnered with five cities to study the impacts of heat islands and promote practical mitigation opportunities.

http://www.epa.gov/heatisland

“Lead by Example” Guidebook and Tracking Tool

EPA is currently developing a “Lead by Example” guidebook and tracking tool that will identify opportunities for states to achieve energy savings and promote the development of clean energy supply within state facilities, operations, and vehicle fleets. The guidebook and tracking tool are being developed to provide support to states interested in analyzing, prioritizing, and tracking progress of their clean energy initiatives.

Contact Jeffrey Brown (brown.jeffrey@epa.gov)

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