As the 2024 Election Approaches, States Matter More Than Ever for the Environment

This blog was written by NCEL’s Executive Director, Dylan McDowell.

States are on the Frontlines of Environmental Action

We are just weeks away from another highly anticipated election, with many focused on the outcome at the federal level. However, when it comes to the future of environmental protection in our country, it is the actions taken by states that will truly shape the path forward.

While the federal government sets the stage for nationwide policies and regulations, states are on the frontlines, crafting tailored and high-impact solutions to address their unique environmental challenges. Whether it be states like Washington implementing community-centered environmental justice protections or Maine establishing a holistic plastic reduction system, states can act more swiftly and ambitiously, often surpassing federal standards and providing frameworks for other states to take similar action. 

What Legislators Say On the Importance of States

NCEL members from across the country recently took time to speak with NCEL staff about the vital role state lawmakers play in advancing the environmental agenda. Hear their perspectives in the following video:

States Continue to Strengthen Environmental Leadership Role 

NCEL tracks thousands of policies at the state level related to improving environmental and community health outcomes, and each year the number of state bills introduced and signed into law continues to grow. 

In 2024 alone, states throughout the country enacted major legislative milestones; 15 states passed laws to accelerate the power grid’s transition to renewable energy, 34 states took action to promote equitable access to the outdoors, six states signed bills to reduce plastic pollution, and that’s just scratching the surface (see the 2024 Session Recap for more).

Environmental policy progress at the federal level tells a different story. Persistent congressional gridlock and the recent overturning of key environmental protections by the U.S. Supreme Court means that federal action on the environment remains stalled and, at times, moves the environmental agenda backwards. 

The federal government did unlock large pools of funding for environmental and clean energy priorities in recent years through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, these are a once-in-a-generation investment. It is up to the states to continue the year-to-year momentum in environmental policy while ensuring these historic funding opportunities are implemented sustainably and equitably. 

State Progress Builds Upon Itself

States are often referred to as the “laboratories of democracy,” because it is state and local governments that have originated some of the country’s most innovative laws and policies. 

Whether it be enacting statewide commitments to 100% renewable energy, comprehensive bans on single-use plastics, holistic protections for pollinator species, or ensuring sustainable coastal development, states have time and again laid the groundwork for further action by other states and the federal government. States like Maine, Rhode Island, and California have led the way in addressing plastic pollution, helping to inspire the federal Break Free From Plastic Act. When Hawaii committed to 100% renewable energy in 2015, other states from Virginia to Minnesota followed suit, using Hawaii’s legislation as a reference point. 

Despite a busy election year, states have maintained momentum and continued building on one another’s progress in recent months. After Oregon enacted a “Right to Repair” law for electronics in March, Colorado built on Oregon’s model by passing the nation’s most comprehensive Right-to-Repair bill yet. Vermont banned the main agricultural uses of neonicotinoid pesticides in June – which are damaging to pollinators and people – after New York became the first state to do so last year. Lawmakers from different states also commonly take joint action on regional and national issues, as was the case in February when legislators from five states introduced bills to improve electric utilities’ transition to renewable energy.

As these examples show, what happens in one state rarely stays there. When one state passes an environmental policy it often serves as a catalyst for other states to take action. NCEL remains an invaluable resource for lawmakers to stay informed on what is successful across the nation so they know the best policy path forward. 

Moving Toward a Sustainable Future with States 

Federal elections are important for the future of our shared environment, but an increased emphasis on states during and after election time is crucial for maintaining progress. Refocusing attention on states is particularly valuable during a time of high political polarization and policy stagnation at the federal level, as state lawmakers can often act more swiftly while representing local interests more fully. 

Simply put, we cannot depend solely on the White House and the U.S. Congress to address the pressing environmental challenges we face. If we want breathable air, clean water, a stable climate, and healthy ecosystems, we need state action.