Many of the Policies Proposed in Green New Deal Already in Place in States

The framework proposed by the authors of the Green New Deal may be too much for Congress, but many of these polices are already in place at the state level.

2 minute read

April 3, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


The Seat of Government

Dave Hosford / Flickr

While the scope of the Green New Deal (GND) surpasses previous climate change legislation passed at the federal level, many of the rules and regulations proposed in the Green New Deal are already in place in some states, as shown in new analysis by Caitlin McCoy.

One example cited by McCoy points is the electrification of public transit. "Electric buses are expected to become a larger portion of public transit given pledges that states and cities are making to reduce emissions and electrify their bus fleets. About 33 percent of all transit buses in the U.S. are projected to be electric by 2045," McCoy writes.

Another area she highlights is energy efficiency in buildings. "California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards are a notable example of standards for new buildings which were designed to tighten over time to reach high levels of efficiency and now serve as the foundation for the state’s Zero Net Energy building plans."

While the Senate has already rejected the GND, McCoy argues that the achievements of states can help federal policy makers avoid pitfalls and learn from the mistakes and successes of state policy makers. There’s also a way for policies to complement each other: "Federal policymakers have an opportunity to design programs that can be plugged into existing state policy architecture," McCoy argues, concluding that continuing to build on existing policies will help lawmakers create a more effective Green New Deal.

Thursday, March 21, 2019 in Environmental Law at Harvard

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

5 hours ago - Next City

Turquoise blue Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nevada.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan

A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

Alpine Recreation Center sign in park in Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown

Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.

7 hours ago - American Community Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.