Federalism and the Rise of Renewable Energy: Preserving State and Local Voices in the Green Energy Revolution
Case Western Reserve Law Review, Vol. 64, No. 4, 2014
Boston College Law School Legal Studies Research Paper No. 342
51 Pages Posted: 17 Jan 2015
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
The rise of renewable energy has disrupted the traditional regulatory structure governing electricity. Unlike traditional fossil fuel power plants, wind and solar facilities are geographically constrained: they exist where the wind blows and the sun shines. Large-scale renewable energy is more likely to flow interstate, from resource-rich prairie and Southwestern states to energy-hungry population centers elsewhere. The difficulties of coordinating interstate electricity policies have led some to call for greater preemption of the states’ traditional duties as chief regulators of the electricity industry. But while preemption would eliminate some state-level roadblocks to interstate cooperation, it would sacrifice many of the benefits of local knowledge and experimentation in a diverse and innovative new marketplace.
This paper examines the benefits of a cooperative federalism approach to electricity regulation. The challenges facing renewable energy are regional in scope, and there is value in preserving state and local voices in policymaking decisions. It examines three aspects of the renewable energy debate — siting generation facilities, building transmission lines, and adopting demand-side renewable energy standards — and, for each, explores governance structures that would promote greater regional cooperation without sacrificing the benefits of decentralized government.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Related eJournals
-
Boston College Law School Legal Studies Research Paper Series
Boston College Law School Legal Studies Research Paper Series
Subscribe to this free journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS5,416PAPERS792This Journal is curated by:Paulo Barrozo at Boston College - Law School -
Political Economy: National, State & Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations eJournal
Political Economy: National, State & Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS1,130PAPERS7,706 -
Property, Land Use & Real Estate Law eJournal
Property, Land Use & Real Estate Law eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS912PAPERS10,145This Journal is curated by:Christopher Serkin at Vanderbilt Law School -
Renewable Energy eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS695PAPERS6,270 -
Food Politics & Sociology eJournal
Food Politics & Sociology eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS653PAPERS4,661 -
Environmental Economics eJournal
Environmental Economics eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS626PAPERS23,787 -
Socially Responsible Investment eJournal
Socially Responsible Investment eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS618PAPERS18,605 -
Econometric Modeling: Microeconometric Models of the Environment eJournal
Econometric Modeling: Microeconometric Models of the Environment eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS576PAPERS1,053 -
Development Economics: Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Environmental Impact eJournal
Development Economics: Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Environmental Impact eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS575PAPERS12,106 -
Agricultural & Natural Resource Economics eJournal
Agricultural & Natural Resource Economics eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS508PAPERS20,890 -
Sustainability Law & Policy eJournal
Sustainability Law & Policy eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS402PAPERS4,965This Journal is curated by:Robin Kundis Craig at University of Kansas - School of Law, J. B. Ruhl at Vanderbilt University - Law School, Erin Ryan at Florida State University, College of Law -
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Research Hub eJournal
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Research Hub eJournal
Subscribe to this free journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS385PAPERS3,797 -
Political Institutions: Federalism & Sub-National Politics eJournal
Political Institutions: Federalism & Sub-National Politics eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS367PAPERS7,509This Journal is curated by:Thad Kousser at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Political Science -
Economics of Innovation eJournal
Economics of Innovation eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS334PAPERS21,225 -
Natural Resources Law & Policy eJournal
Natural Resources Law & Policy eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS333PAPERS5,401This Journal is curated by:Jennifer Rushlow at Vermont Law School - Environmental Law Center -
Energy Law & Policy eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS328PAPERS3,923 -
Sustainable Investments eJournal
Sustainable Investments eJournal
Subscribe to this free journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS203PAPERS1,661 -
State & Local Government eJournal
State & Local Government eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS193PAPERS5,975This Journal is curated by:Nestor M. Davidson at Fordham University School of Law, Patricia Salkin at Touro University - Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center -
Energy Engineering eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS147PAPERS25,959 -
Law, Policy & Economics of Technical Standards eJournal
Law, Policy & Economics of Technical Standards eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS118PAPERS1,229This Journal is curated by:Jorge L. Contreras at University of Utah - S.J. Quinney College of Law -
Energy eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS87PAPERS17,101 -
Comparative Political Economy: Regulation eJournal
Comparative Political Economy: Regulation eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS61PAPERS22,374 -
Political Economy - Development: Environment eJournal
Political Economy - Development: Environment eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS49PAPERS21,757 -
Food Sustainability & Security eJournal
Food Sustainability & Security eJournal
Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic
FOLLOWERS24PAPERS2,859