Ohio
As a Fox News personality, Republican Gov. John Kasich has repeatedly challenged climate change science and greenhouse gas policy. He has criticized Ohio's ambitious RPS, saying it will "drive up utility bills."
Under pressure from the state's fast-growing renewable energy business community, he's since backed down from his anti-RPS position.
One of departing Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland's final pleas was for Kasich to save a $400 million high speed passenger rail project that would have been financed entirely by the federal stimulus package. Before he was sworn into office, Kasich confirmed he would turn down the free federal money.
"We're hopeful that green jobs will be part of Gov. Kasich's agenda," says Bill Spratley, executive director of Green Energy Ohio, ASES's Ohio chapter. "Jobs are the big issue here, and right now there a lot of activity in renewable energy. That's why I'm optimistic."
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a coal state, and has opened the doors to its Marcellus shale natural gas reserves. Nuclear plants provide 21% of the state's electricity. During his campaign, incoming Republican Gov. Tom Corbett espoused an energy policy calling for more of everything, especially liquid fuels from coal, gas and biomass.
One goal: "Refocusing the Department of Environmental Protection by getting back to basics." Corbett's appointment of Patrick Henderson as "energy executive," a new cabinet post, suggests this will not translate into neglect for PA's growing renewable energy community.
"Patrick has a strong background and knows solar issues," says Maureen Mulligan, owner of Harrisburg-based Sustainable Futures Communications. "As the chief of staff for the Senate Energy, Resources and Environment Committee, he always had an open door to the solar industry."
New Jersey
Renewable energy policy in NJ, which has the nation's second largest photovoltaic market, has seen its ups and downs since Republican Gov. Chris Christie took office this January.
Amendments to the state's Energy Master Plan in August bolstered prospects for offshore wind, but put in place tighter restrictions on new onshore wind and solar projects. New installations are now required to be within 120 feet of existing structures on already disturbed land, which will keep clean energy projects away from coastal areas. "The rules make it easier to put up a warehouse than a solar farm, or a Ferris Wheel on a pier than a windmill," says Jeff Tittel, director of the NJ Sierra Club.
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Compiled by Mike Koshmri, Assistant Editor, Solar Today, the magazine of the American Solar Energy Society.
