Clean Energy Scores Big Wins on Election Day

Energy is less prone to partisan politics, according to an article by Catherine Morehouse, who analyzes the batch of clean energy laws approved by voters this week, among so many other issues of direct relation to the work of planners and urban designers.

"Two state-level ballots on clean energy have passed. One in Nevada reinforces a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) passed in the recent wave of state clean energy commitments," reports Morehouse. "Another in New Mexico will upend the state's regulatory body that previously sought to undermine the state's clean energy law, in the eyes of its governor, the legislature and clean energy advocates."

"Meanwhile, cities are continuing their push to pursue aggressive clean energy goals. Columbus, OH established a community choice aggregation program that will have American Electric Power (AEP) provide the city with net-100% renewable energy by 2023. Denver voters have affirmed an increased sales tax that will fund emissions-reducing projects," adds Morehouse.

One area where Morehouse says the cause of clean energy did not score a clear victory was Measure 2C in Boulder, Colorado. Instead of setting up a municipal energy utility, Boulder will now be forced to pressure Excel Energy to meet the city's renewable energy goals—a cause which Morehouse reports Boulder has a track record of success.

More details on Nevada Question 6, New Mexico Amendment 1, Columbus Issue 1, Denver Question 2A, and Boulder Question 2C are included in the source article.