LCV is fighting every day to create a brighter, safer, healthier future for people and the planet.
LCV is fighting every day to create a brighter, safer, healthier future for people and the planet.
Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. This week, voters made their voices loud and clear. They rejected Trump and Republicans’ disastrous energy policies by overwhelmingly electing candidates that will work to lower utility bills, bring more affordable clean energy online, and hold Big Polluters, Big Tech, and monopoly utilities accountable.
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“This was a wave, and what that means is that where we went on offense, deep into Trump territory, and where the margins were razor thin, Energy Bill Voters who we targeted made the difference, and this movement played a really big role in making that happen.”
— Pete Maysmith, LCV president, on how the cost of energy mobilized voters to elect pro-clean energy champions in this week’s elections.
“We must once again support the clean energy economy and combat the climate crisis with the fierce urgency of now.”
– A spokesperson for Hakeem Jeffries on Democratic priorities in the new Congress.
“Candidates won up and down the ballot because they campaigned on an unapologetic affordability agenda: standing up to corporate utilities, making data centers pay for their own costs, expanding access to locally produced cheap clean energy and creating family-sustaining union jobs.”
– Molly Parzen, executive director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, on the role of affordability in the midterm election.
VOTERS ELECT PRO-CLEAN ENERGY CHAMPIONS NATIONWIDE: Voters elected pro-climate, pro-democracy majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, alongside climate champions in state and local races across the country. These wins highlight how voters rejected Trump’s energy agenda and policies that have driven up energy costs. LCV Action Fund endorsed candidates won elections in the following states: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. For more, check out LCV’s New Member Guide.
OUR TAKE: On Tuesday, LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “Energy Bill Voters showed up in unprecedented numbers, even in deep Republican territory, to reject Trump’s dirty energy agenda. Tonight’s election results show that Trump’s energy agenda was not only an economic disaster for voters, but also a political disaster for Republicans. Voters have had enough of Trump and Congressional Republicans who sided with Big Oil, Big Polluters, monopoly utilities, and Big Tech time and time again to raise our costs. The voters have spoken, Trump must end his disastrous energy policy now. Stop the attacks on clean energy, stop the special favors for Big Oil, end the war.
“LCV and our affiliated entities, along with the broader climate and clean energy movement, invested more than ever during the midterms and went on offense in Trump territory to reach voters. This election, Energy Bill Voters elected new leaders to take back the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. We look forward to working with these new majorities to advance affordable clean energy solutions across the country and cannot wait to work with these pro-environment, pro-democracy champions to protect the health of our communities, push back against Trump’s corrupt giveaways to corporate interests and Big Polluters, and fight for free and fair elections.”
TAKE 2: At a press conference following the election, LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “Voters across the country told us at the ballot box what we have been hearing from them since last year: they are tired of paying more for energy, things are too expensive, the system is rigged against them, things aren’t working and they need help. I heard this myself from voters going door to door last week. So let’s get something out of the way right at the top. President Trump, the voters have spoken, you must end your disastrous energy policy NOW. Stop the attacks on clean energy, stop the special favors for Big Oil, end the war. All of this needs to stop immediately.”
TAKE 3: LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice President of Campaigns Sara Schreiber said, “On Tuesday, we saw historic wins across the country as Energy Bill Voters decisively rejected Trump and Congressional Republicans’ agenda of corruption and skyrocketing costs, including utility costs. LCV Victory Fund and affiliated entities invested over $125 million this cycle to take back the Senate and the House in order to lower energy costs, stand up to Big Polluters, Big Tech, and monopoly utilities, protect and build out clean energy, and protect clean air and water.”
VOTERS DEFEAT ALL DIRTY DOZEN CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME: Voters defeated all 12 Dirty Dozen candidates on LCV’s 2026 Dirty Dozen list, holding them accountable for siding with corporate polluters over their communities. The candidates backed policies that raised energy costs and threatened clean air and water, and voters held them accountable.
OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice President of Campaigns Sara Schreiber said, “For the first time ever, LCV Victory Fund defeated all 12 candidates on the federal Dirty Dozen. This is a list of candidates who consistently side against the environment and are running in competitive races that have a serious chance to affect the outcome, includes villains like Jon Husted who has raised utility bills in Ohio, pushed for taxpayer dollars to bailout FirstEnergy, and has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from data center interests, and Michael Whatley, who is a former lobbyist for Big Oil and Duke Energy.”
VOTERS REJECT BIG OIL/BIG TECH, WITH 6 (AS OF NOW) NEW CLEAN ENERGY TRIFECTAS: Arizona, Nevada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania will now all have clean energy majorities in 2027. Alaska might be a seventh once all races are called. These elections were won by candidates for governor and state Legislature endorsed by LCV affiliates that promised action to set strong guardrails for data centers, lower energy costs, and build affordable clean energy.
CHISPA AZ TAKE: Chispa Arizona Executive Director Vianey Olivarria said: “For us at Chispa Arizona, the power of our people and our work is deeply personal. Corporations see our environment as disposable and people as a revenue stream but while it may feel that their influence and power is unyielding, this historic victory proves that when we organize, we are a force that they should not underestimate. I am honored and humbled to stand today shoulder to shoulder with our partners at Activate 48 – LUCHA, OVOV, Worker Power. For so long, we have worked together to defend our people and our communities, and now, today, we see every fight was worth it.”
MLCV TAKE: Michigan LCV Deputy Director Bob Allison said, “Michiganders are tired of skyrocketing energy bills and a system where DTE and Consumers money pollutes our politics – and they made their feelings on it crystal clear. For too long our state’s monopoly utilities, which have provided some of the worst service in the country, have swayed lawmakers with massive political donations, blocking common sense policies to lower our energy bills. Those days are coming to an end.”
NCL TAKE: Nevada Conservation League Executive Director Kristee Watson said, “Nevadans overwhelmingly voted for leaders who will lower their energy bills and protect the places that make Nevada home. We went all in for Aaron Ford because he committed to stopping the flawed demand charge, holding greedy utilities and data centers accountable, protecting our water resources and public lands, and accelerating the transition from polluting fossil fuels to local clean energy. NCL’s efforts helped carry him across the finish line, and now we look forward to working with him and the Legislature to deliver this conservation agenda.”
WCV TAKE: Wisconsin Conservation Voters Executive Director Kerry Schumann said, “Last night, Wisconsinites made history. By electing David Crowley as our next governor alongside full pro-conservation control of the State Legislature, voters sent an unmistakable message that we want bold action on climate, safe drinking water for every community, and a democracy that belongs to everyone.
“David Crowley has proven throughout his career that he knows how to tackle complex public health and environmental challenges while delivering real results for working families. With pro-conservation leadership guiding both the executive branch and the legislature, we finally have the mandate to make permanent, historic gains for Wisconsin and secure a brighter, cleaner future for ourselves and future generations.”
CVPA TAKE: Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Executive Director Molly Parzen said, “This is a watershed moment for our commonwealth. For the first time in more than three decades, Pennsylvanians have elected a pro-environment majority in both the state House and the state Senate. This historic victory was driven by voters from every corner of Pennsylvania who demanded an end to corporate greed, skyrocketing utility bills and handouts to billionaire Big Tech CEOs.
“The legislative bottleneck that paralyzed Harrisburg for years is finally broken. The days of commonsense clean energy bills and ratepayer protections passing the House only to be killed in the Senate are over. We now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transformational change and turn Pennsylvania into a national leader on energy affordability and environmental protection.”
TX, GA, OH, AND LIKELY AK FLIP GOVERNORS MANSIONS FROM CLIMATE VILLAINS: While not trifectas like the states listed above, new governors in Georgia, Ohio, Texas, and, pending final results, Alaska, flipped their seats from anti-climate, anti-clean energy opponents. These states will also have major opportunities for progress and a clear mandate from voters to lower energy costs and build affordable clean energy.
OEC ACTION FUND TAKE: Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund Chief Executive Officer Carol Kauffman said, “Ohioans voted for change on Tuesday night. Governor-Elect Dr. Amy Acton ran on a platform of lowering energy costs, holding data centers accountable, and building healthy communities. The OEC Action Fund and our members worked hard to elect Dr. Acton, and we are thrilled that our next Governor is a leader who will work to improve the quality of life for every Ohioan. We congratulate Dr. Acton on her victory and urge the Ohio legislature to listen to the voters by working with the Governor-Elect to find common ground. Ohioans demand results, not partisan political games. Let’s get to work.”
NEW CLIMATE CHAMPION GOVERNORS ARE READY TO SET A STANDARD FOR THE NATION: Hannah Pingree in Maine and Deb Haaland in New Mexico will come into governors mansions in 2027 and have run as unabashed champions for climate action, clean energy, and protecting public lands. Both LCV state affiliates supported the candidates early in primaries, endorsing them as leaders who have spent careers championing the environment.
MCV TAKE: Maine Conservation Voters Executive Director Maureen Drouin said, “We congratulate Hannah on a positive, future-focused campaign and a hard-earned victory. Today’s result shows that Mainers want leaders like Hannah who will stand up to polluters and ensure our air, land, and water are protected for future generations. We’re looking forward to working with the Governor-elect to build a future in Maine where people and nature thrive through a healthy environment, a strong democracy, and a sustainable economy.”
CVNM TAKE: Conservation Voters of New Mexico Chief Executive Officer Demis Foster said, “Here at home, New Mexican voters showed up in a record turn out to elect Deb Haaland, the first Native American woman governor in our nation. Along with her running mate, Stephanie Garcia Richard, two women will be at the helm of our state for the first time in our state’s history. Governor-Elect Haaland and Lt. Governor-Elect Richard are the proven environmental champions we need to lead our state into a chapter of ambitious action on climate and protection of water, public lands, and cultural heritage. We look forward to the roll out of their ambitious climate and conservation agenda, starting day one.”
GEORGIA VOTERS FLIP PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION: Georgia voters re-elected Commissioner Peter Hubbard to a full term and elected Shelia Edwards to the Public Service Commission’s open District 5 seat, giving Democrats a 3-2 majority on the commission for the first time since the 1990s. Edwards won despite more than $2.5 million in pro-industry spending supporting her opponent. The new majority will oversee utility rates, data center expansion, and decisions shaping Georgia’s energy future.
GCV ACTION FUND TAKE: Georgia Conservation Voters Action Fund Executive Director Brionté McCorkle said, “Georgians didn’t flip this Commission by accident. This has been years in the making. In communities across Georgia, people have organized around high power bills and demanded more accountability from the people and corporations making decisions about their energy future. Tonight, voters changed who has the power to make those decisions. Now the test is what happens next. We ran against the idea that Georgians should finance Big Tech’s electricity. That question reaches across party lines because people understand fairness. If a company needs enormous amounts of new infrastructure to make money, families and small businesses should not be left carrying the costs and risks.”
COLORADO VOTERS REJECT AMENDMENT 82: Colorado voters rejected Amendment 82, which would have established a constitutional right to buy and sell natural gas. Defeating this amendment protects Colorado’s ability to advance clean energy and public health safeguards.
CONSERVATION COLORADO TAKE: Conservation Colorado CEO Kelly Nordini said, “Advance Colorado and its anonymous donors spent millions trying to convince Coloradans to lock profits for polluters into our state constitution, but voters saw through it and rejected Amendment 82. As Coloradans face the consequences of a changing climate and energy costs keep rising, voters chose to keep moving forward with the clean energy solutions that protect our environment, safeguard public health and safety, and make energy more affordable for families and businesses.”
MICHIGAN VOTERS APPROVE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS BALLOT MEASURE: Michigan voters approved Proposal 2 with 84% support, banning monopoly electric utilities and major government contractors from making political campaign contributions. The measure also expands disclosure rules for political communications.
MLCV TAKE: Michigan LCV Deputy Director Bob Allison said, “Michiganders are tired of skyrocketing energy bills and a system where DTE and Consumers money pollutes our politics – and they made their feelings on it crystal clear. For too long our state’s monopoly utilities, which have provided some of the worst service in the country, have swayed lawmakers with massive political donations, blocking common sense policies to lower our energy bills. Those days are coming to an end.”
VIRGINIA VOTERS APPROVE HISTORIC VOTING RIGHTS MEASURE: Virginia voters approved Ballot Measure 3, a referendum to automatically restore voting rights to eligible citizens convicted of felonies upon their release from incarceration.
VALCV TAKE: Virginia LCV Director of Advocacy and Campaigns Blair St. Ledger-Olson said, “A healthy environment is impossible without a healthy democracy. Tonight’s outcome restores the right to vote for hundreds of thousands of disenfranchised Virginians and enshrines in our constitution a fair and just standard to ensure that all eligible Virginians have a fundamental right to vote. After years of hard work to get this measure across the finish line, we are finally rid of one of the last vestiges of Jim Crow in Virginia. We are committed to continuing to fight for voting rights, to reach and engage more Virginians across the Commonwealth in our democracy, and to help secure solutions that empower communities and protect them from environmental harms.”
EUGENE, OR VOTERS APPROVE CLEAN ENERGY FUND: Voters in Eugene, Oregon approved Measure 20-388, the Eugene Clean Energy Fund, which establishes a fee on billion-dollar corporations and is expected to generate at least $15 million annually for local climate projects, clean energy jobs, and energy efficiency.
OLCV TAKE: Oregon LCV Political & Organizing Director and Energy Fund Steering Committee Member Britney VanCitters said, “Passage of Measure 20-388 is a resounding statement that Eugene is ready to lead in creating a cleaner and greener future for our communities. Eugenians raised their voices loud and clear because they know we can’t count on the state or federal government to deliver cleaner, local and more affordable energy. Establishing the Eugene Clean Energy Fund means we are ready to take action at the local level, an example we hope other cities will follow.”
REVOLUTION WIND, VINEYARD WIND NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL: Two major offshore wind projects have completed construction and are delivering much needed cost-saving and reliable clean energy to New England’s electrical grid as energy demand grows. The 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts and the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island have both reached full commercial operation. These projects faced pushback from the Trump administration through illegal stop-work orders before federal judges allowed construction to resume. Vineyard Wind can power roughly 400,000 homes at full capacity and is expected to save customers $1.4 billion over 20 years. Revolution Wind can power roughly 350,000 homes at full capacity and is expected to save customers $500 million annually.
ELM TAKE: Environmental League of Massachusetts Senior Director of Offshore Wind Katie Segal said, “New England is better off now that we have not one but TWO fully commercially operational projects. We are in for a difficult winter and wind will help with costs and reliability.”
ON THE BLOG: Stay tuned for exciting new content, coming soon to The Power Source blog!
ON OUR SOCIALS: Election Day came and Energy Bill Voters understood the assignment. This week, we celebrated climate and clean energy champions winning up and down the ballot, thanked the organizers and voters who made it happen, and broke down what the results mean for energy bills, Big Polluters, Big Tech, and the fight for affordable clean energy. The election may be over, but the work is just getting started.
NOVEMBER 11: Veterans Day.
NOVEMBER 26: Thanksgiving.
DECEMBER 16: Comment period closes for EPA’s proposal to gut standards for methane pollution from the oil and gas industry.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters