New York State's legislative session has ended with climate bills a top priority.

Legislation such as the Climate Change Superfund Act awaits Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature. Other bills such as the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment Act passed with the budget. The bill speeds up clean-energy project permitting and power grid interconnection.

Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, said speeding up the process benefits the state.

"Many of the renewable-energy projects that have been proposed have been stalled because of lack of capacity on the transmission lines near them to actually put the electricity on the grid so that New Yorkers can access it," Wells explained. "There's no sense in building a project that can't actually deliver to people."

This after the state's grid operator, New York Independent System Operator, received a C-minus on an interconnection report card. Its lowest scores were for providing useful interconnection alternatives and interconnection process results.

Wells noted enacting the measure builds off the Build Public Renewables Act passed in the 2023 state budget.

Other barriers such as the numerous processes projects undergo before connecting to the grid can hold them back. A New York State Comptroller report found application delays are holding up renewable-energy projects siting permits for more than three years.

Despite the challenges, Wells is confident New York can achieve its 2030 climate goals.

"There's no shortage of projects being brought forward that will help meet that goal," Wells pointed out. "The trick now is just, I don't think there's any new laws needed or major changes to the structure that are necessary. I think it's streamlining what we've got and hitting a rhythm to get these projects built."

One foreseeable challenge is assembling enough skilled laborers to build the projects. Trade union leaders in the state are eager to work on them with a labor force ready to do so. A nationwide 2022 report showed not speeding up transmission increases greenhouse gas emissions by 800 million tons annually.

Two new solar farms will soon be under construction in the Lexington and Lebanon areas to bring affordable and clean energy to eastern Kentuckians, according to East Kentucky Power Cooperative, the utility spearheading the projects.

Local community members, including an ecumenical monastic community of women in Floyd County, said the move is a step in the right direction.

Nick Comer, external affairs manager for the cooperative, said plans include a 96 megawatt solar farm on 635 acres in Marion County and a 40 megawatt solar farm on 387 acres in Fayette County.

"These will certainly be among the largest solar farms in Kentucky that I'm aware of," Comer noted. "They will provide enough electricity for about 15,500 homes. This is a big move forward for renewable energy in Kentucky."

The cooperative is owned by more than a dozen distribution cooperatives and provides power to around 1 million people.

Kathy Curtis, prioress of The Dwelling Place Monastery in Mount Tabor, said the move reflects a changing reality in a region long dependent on coal industry jobs. She added the emerging tourism industry in eastern Kentucky depends on having clean lakes, mountains and other natural resources.

"We need to be bold and step into the future," Curtis urged. "Expecting that it will be good, not being afraid, just expecting that this is a good choice for Kentucky across the board."

Comer pointed out construction for the Lexington solar farm is expected to start in 2025 and the Marion County farm in 2026.

"These two projects are expected to be online in mid 2027, right now they're going through a regulatory process with the Kentucky Public Service Commission," Comer explained.

Kentucky continues to expand solar energy. Earlier this year the state was awarded more than $62 million in grants to help increase access to affordable residential solar.


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Minnesota is sorting out details ahead of trying to meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040.

Some environmental advocates feel energy sources being floated to regulators would defeat the purpose of the new law. The state's Public Utilities Commission is accepting public comment until July 10 on which technologies should make the list of energy options defined under the law. Utilities, advocacy organizations and others are lining up with their input.

Hudson Kingston, legal director for the group Clean Up the River Environment, worried certain recommendations he feels are dubious will make the final cut.

"Comments suggesting that burning wood, burning biomass, burning trash are all -- in some people's way of thinking -- carbon free, even though when you burn things like trash or wood, you are emitting quite a lot of carbon," Kingston pointed out.

The Minnesota Forest Resources Partnership contended burning limbs from harvested trees, or wood left over from fires or disease restoration projects, is a viable substitute for fossil-fuel production. The group said there would also be reductions in harmful sulfur and mercury going into the air. Initial public comments will be accepted by June 28. The deadline for reply comments is July 10.

Kingston noted bringing the definition into focus has a lot to do with what is considered a renewable energy source versus green technology emitting no carbon at all.

"It was a political decision a while ago that burning certain things could be considered a renewable," Kingston explained. "But under the carbon-free standard, there is no such list from the Legislature that gives burning things an out."

Even with regulators seeking clarity through public comment, Kingston feels the new law is clear in only leaning on proven carbon-free sources. In adopting the landmark policy last year, Minnesota leaders allowed for other exceptions, namely "offramps" for utilities struggling to meet the standard if clean-energy technologies are too costly or hinder grid reliability.

Signature gatherers in Washington state hope to get an initiative on the November ballot to roll back the state's attempt to phase out natural gas in buildings and environmental groups worry about the effect the initiative would have.

The measure would ensure gas companies and utilities can still offer natural gas and bans cities from prohibiting or discouraging natural gas in buildings. The initiative is sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Washington.

Dylan Plummer, senior field organizing strategist for the Sierra Club, said the measure would be bad for the state and its climate goals.

"What they're hoping to do is turn back the clock multiple years on the progress that Washington state has made on climate action," Plummer asserted. "Specifically electrification efforts, whether it's local building codes like what Seattle has passed or the state building code and other local efforts."

Supporters said people should have the ability to choose natural gas. To qualify for the ballot, signature gatherers need to get nearly 325,000 signatures by July 5.

Plummer argued keeping natural gas around will exacerbate the climate crisis and noted the building sector is a significant contributor of greenhouse gases in the country.

"Specifically, the use of fossil fuels like 'natural' or methane gas for heating and water-heating," Plummer noted. "It's one of the single largest sources of emissions in Washington state."

Plummer added if the initiative passes, it could have negative effects on the state's move toward clean energy.

"We're removing key subsidies and incentives that are going to drive the transition to allow for greater access to these really important technologies that will reduce energy burden, that will protect health and safety indoors and out, and that will protect our climate," Plummer outlined.