In 2023, states continued to enact ambitious climate policies driving the U.S. transition to clean energy. Coupled with historic progress that federal leaders secured by passing the Inflation Reduction Act, states are poised to propel climate action again in 2024.   

In the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) latest annual Clean Energy For All report, we detail how 29 states made clean energy progress in 2023 led by our state affiliates in the Conservation Voters Movement (CVM). The exciting policies, goals, and protections laid out in this report are driving the country to seize this critical moment. 

From new 100% clean electricity mandates and new zero emission building laws to offshore wind expansion and unprecedented investments in climate action, this report highlights the bold and necessary steps states took in 2023 to build a clean energy future for everyone. 

Read the 2023 Clean Energy For All Report here

Highlights include:

• Minnesota passes 100% clean energy by 2040: After winning back control of the state senate by 1 seat, Democrats wasted no time lifting up climate as a top priority. New pro-climate majorities led by Governor Walz passed one of the strongest and most equitable clean energy commitments in the country. Minnesota also passed a historic $2billion climate budget that addresses “forever chemicals”, protections for frontline communities, and a new green bank.
• Michigan builds on Midwest success, passes 100% clean energy: Not to be outdone by their neighbors, Governor Whitmer and Michigan Democrats passed a 100% clean energy commitment. Their bill raises the bar for labor standards as well as mandating investments in environmental justice communities.
• Empire State takes on buildings: New York became the first state to enact an all-electric heating and appliance mandate for new residential buildings by 2026 and many commercial buildings by 2029. New York uses more heating oil than any other state in the nation, and buildings are one of the leading sources of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. This sets a national precedent that  states can look to in 2024 and years to come.
• California holds corporate polluters accountable: California’s climate majorities set a first-in-the-nation requirement for large companies (annual revenue exceeding $1billion) to disclose their full carbon footprint to the public. California is tied with New York for the state with the most Fortune 500 companies giving the public a view into corporate America’s real pollution levels.

Over 40% of people in the United States now live in a place dedicated to 100% clean electricity. 

“Since Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act,  states from Michigan and Minnesota to Maine and Maryland are racing to pass ambitious climate policies that secure clean energy jobs for their residents,” said Bill Holland, LCV VP for State Policy and Advocacy. “We’re seeing enormous progress across the country from new states joining the calls for 100% clean electricity to innovative policies on buildings, transportation, and finance to tackle every aspect of the climate crisis. Looking to 2024, there are no signs of slowing down. We expect states to continue challenging each other and building on the success of the last 5 years.”

Since launching the Clean Energy for All campaign in 2018, LCV and our more than 30 state affiliates have secured 100% clean energy commitments from more than 1,300 successful local, state, and federal candidates. In 29 states, we have translated those commitments into policy progress, including 15 states that have committed to 100% clean energy. This year, we have seen policies that protect public health, defend our environment, create good, family sustaining jobs, reduce the legacy of toxic pollution in frontline communities, and ensure that the transition to a clean energy economy includes benefits for everyone.