National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

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National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

NCEL empowers a network of legislative champions to protect, conserve, and improve the environment.

The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators empowers a nonpartisan network of legislative champions to protect, conserve, and improve the natural and human environment. Created by and for state legislators, the Caucus serves as a resource on environmental issues through legislative research, organized events, and by facilitating collaboration between lawmakers working on similar issues.

21/05/2026

Washington State Takes a Major Step to Strengthen Its Energy Grid ⚡

In March, Washington enacted S.B. 6355, establishing the Washington Electric Transmission Authority (WETA) — a new public body dedicated to planning, siting, and financing the transmission infrastructure the state's energy future depends on.

Why it matters:
📌 The U.S. electrical grid is under growing strain from rising demand, aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and new large power users like data centers
📌 Limited transmission capacity drives up costs, creates reliability risks, and slows the connection of new energy sources
📌 The U.S. needs to add ~5,000 miles of high-capacity transmission lines annually just to keep pace with demand

What WETA will do:
📌 Identify high-priority transmission corridors and streamline permitting and project development
📌 Support advanced technologies like energy storage and grid-enhancing tools to boost efficiency and reduce wildfire risk
📌 Establish a formal Tribal consultation framework, with a dedicated board seat for a citizen of a federally recognized Tribe with ceded lands in Washington
📌 Create dedicated funding through legislative appropriations, federal funds, and fees — plus payments to local governments that host transmission infrastructure

Washington joins Colorado (2021) and New Mexico (2007) in establishing a state transmission authority — a model gaining momentum as states look to take a more coordinated, public-led approach to grid modernization.

Learn more: https://ncelenviro.org/articles/washington-creates-state-authority-to-strengthen-energy-transmission/

20/05/2026

With federal vehicle emissions protections being rolled back, states are stepping up 🚛💨

Warehouses and distribution centers are quietly becoming one of the biggest sources of air pollution — and the people living closest to them are bearing the brunt. Studies show that 1 in 4 New Yorkers lives within half a mile of a large warehouse, and these facilities are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color.

Enter: indirect source rules (ISRs)! Instead of letting warehouses off the hook because the trucks aren't technically theirs, ISRs hold these facilities accountable for the emissions they generate by attracting heavy vehicle traffic. Warehouses can comply by:
⚡ Electrifying truck fleets
🔌 Installing EV charging infrastructure
☀️ Adding on-site solar generation
💰 Or paying into a community mitigation fund if they choose not to upgrade

California's South Coast Air Quality District pioneered this approach in 2021 — and it's already working. Warehouses are actually exceeding compliance requirements while continuing to grow and invest in zero-emission vehicles.

Now, states like New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois are pushing to bring ISRs statewide. New York's bill has already passed the Senate. 🗽

🔗 Learn more in our blog: https://ncelenviro.org/articles/indirect-source-rules-how-to-regulate-vehicle-emissions-amid-federal-rollbacks/

15/05/2026

Happy ! 🌿 Maryland is one of the latest examples of states stepping up to protect wildlife and critical habitats.

In April, Maryland enacted a nation-leading bill that codifies key regulations from the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) into state law. This action shields Maryland’s wildlife from proposed rollbacks at the federal level.

Why does this matter?
The ESA has prevented the extinction of more than 99% of the species under its protection — one of the most successful conservation laws ever enacted. But five of its core implementing regulations are currently being targeted for elimination at the federal level. Removing them would weaken habitat protections, reduce interagency coordination, and limit science-backed decision-making. Maryland’s new law will help to ensure the state has robust authority to protect wildlife into the future, regardless of what is decided at the federal level.

Learn more by reading NCEL’s latest Policy Update: https://ncelenviro.org/articles/maryland-enacts-hb-0578-to-protect-endangered-species-amid-proposed-federal-rollbacks/

04/05/2026

: State legislators from 30 states are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to retain critical Clean Air Act protections for pyrolysis — pushing back on a federal proposal that lawmakers warn would leave communities exposed to dangerous air pollutants like dioxins, benzene, and formaldehyde.

Pyrolysis is a type of technology, often referred to as a form of plastic “chemical recycling” that can convert plastic waste into “pyrolysis oil” for fuels, chemicals, and low yields of new plastic.

The comment letter to the EPA opposes the proposal to remove pyrolysis units from the definition of "municipal waste combustion units" under Section 129 of the federal Clean Air Act. Legislators warn that this change would eliminate the only federal baseline for hazardous air pollution from pyrolysis — creating a regulatory gap that puts public health at risk, particularly in states that have already moved to deregulate pyrolysis.

The letter was spearheaded by Minnesota State Representative Sydney Jordan and Oregon State Senator Janeen Sollman.

Read the full letter and press release on NCEL's website: https://www.ncelenviro.org/articles/legislators-from-30-states-urge-epa-to-retain-clean-air-protections-for-pyrolysis/

27/04/2026

Last week at EarthX, NCEL led a powerful bipartisan panel: "Beyond Washington: How States are Shaping the Future of Environmental Policy."

As the federal landscape shifts, state legislators continue to be crucial leaders for environmental and community protections. The panelists highlighted how they are finding common ground to advance environmental solutions even amidst federal rollbacks and funding cuts.

Introduced by NCEL Chief Partnership Officer Salvatore Messina, the discussion featured four leaders sharing insights and lessons learned from their home states:
🔹Hawaii Senator Chris Lee, NCEL Board President
🔹Colorado Representative Alex Valdez
🔹Washington Representative Stephanie Barnard
🔹Texas Representative Matt Shaheen

From grid buildout to energy affordability, these state leaders are proving that state-level action is where the future is being built.

NCEL is proud to continue elevating state perspectives in the national conversation. Thank you for having us EarthX!

16/04/2026

We were honored to have NCEL CEO Dylan McDowell and Chief Program Officer Ana Mascareñas represent NCEL at this week’s Native Americans in Philanthropy's Annual Conference as we deepen our partnership to strengthen State-Tribal collaboration.

At the conference, Dylan moderated a timely session, “Water Partnerships to Protect Shared Ecosystems and Public Health,” focused on how states and Tribal Nations can work together to protect watersheds and drinking water for all communities. He was joined by an incredible panel: Deputy Secretary Geneva EB Thompson of the California Natural Resources Agency, Rachel Brown of Native Americans in Philanthropy, and New Mexico State Senator Angel Charley. These are three leaders driving real policy solutions at the intersection of water, sovereignty, and environmental justice.

The NCEL team was also glad to share more insights on the efforts of states across the country to advance these priorities. With 191 state-level water bills introduced across 35 states in 2025 alone, state legislatures have an important role to play in expanding Tribal eligibility in state programs and defending Clean Water Act protections.

Thank you to Native Americans in Philanthropy for having us and for your continued partnership on this crucial work.

15/04/2026

States are at the forefront of the clean energy transition ⚡

NCEL's CEO, Dylan McDowell, and NCEL Board President, Hawai'i State Senator Chris Lee, recently joined CleanTechnica's CleanTech Talk podcast for a robust conversation on NCEL's state-focused mission — and why state leadership is the most effective force in the clean energy transition today.

They covered:
✅ Why state actions often outlast federal shifts
✅ 2026 clean energy policy trends from the states
✅ How NCEL is equipping state lawmakers across the country with the connections and resources they need to lead

Thank you to CleanTechnica for helping make this important conversation happen.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksufpnqdrLg&list=PLXeQSA7VS3zqx_e8d_wHyka0qJ7LnuQ-J&index=2

10/04/2026

Rising utility bills are on everyone's minds — but electrification solutions are ready to help households save money while building cleaner, healthier communities! 🌱⚡

The Electric Innovation Initiative recognizes the innovators, policymakers, and projects working to create an electrified American future through its . This year, NCEL's CEO Dylan McDowell is joining the awards panel as a judge, helping select the next cohort of electrification trailblazers.

We want to hear about the projects and state lawmakers supporting electrification solutions in your community! Apply for or nominate a program for an Electric Innovation Award now for your chance to be recognized by Dylan and the rest of this year's distinguished panel here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeI9_IU2YRMjJNN732WPwY-azj9qAii3zHDpZ91OYb4iF9-FA/viewform

19/03/2026

NCEL has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of growth, convenings, and new resources supporting environmental leadership in state legislatures. 🌎

In 2025, NCEL worked with a bipartisan network of more than 1,300 state legislators, providing research, events, and opportunities for peer learning on issues ranging from clean energy and grid modernization to plastic pollution, wildlife habitat, and sustainable ocean economies. The year also included NCEL’s largest National Forum ever, new leadership programs for legislators, and more immersive learning experiences across the country.

The 2025 Annual Report highlights the people, partnerships, and milestones that defined this work and reflects NCEL’s continued role as a trusted convener and resource for environmental leadership at the state level.

🔗 Explore the full report and learn more about NCEL’s work in 2025: https://ncelenviro.org/articles/2025-annual-report/

17/03/2026

⚡️ Electricity bills are climbing — and many Americans are feeling it.

Residential electricity prices have risen nearly 40% since 2021, and utilities requested $31 billion in rate increases in 2025 alone. It’s no surprise that nearly 3 in 4 Americans are worried about rising energy costs.

☀️ One emerging solution? Plug-in solar.

Unlike traditional rooftop systems, plug-in solar panels are small, portable, and connect directly to a standard wall outlet. That means:
• No professional installation
• No permits
• No utility agreements

They simply reduce the amount of electricity a home pulls from the grid — helping lower energy bills.

This technology is already taking off globally (with over 1 million systems in Germany), and U.S. states are beginning to take notice.

📜 In 2025, Utah became the first state to pass a law specifically for plug-in solar, creating a new category for small systems and making them easier for households to use.

Now in 2026, more than half of U.S. states are considering similar policies that could expand access to affordable clean energy — especially for renters, apartment dwellers, and families who can’t install rooftop solar.

As states explore ways to address rising electricity costs, plug-in solar is one policy option gaining momentum.

🔗 Learn more in NCEL’s new blog: https://ncelenviro.org/articles/the-rise-of-plug-in-solar-how-states-can-reduce-costs-and-streamline-clean-energy-adoption/

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