The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has released a new consensus study, Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions, which provides sector-by-sector recommendations to help the United States implement an equitable energy transition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The report follows a 2021 NASEM identifying key technology goals and societal objectives for U.S. decarbonization efforts. Importantly, the new report covers workforce, public health, land use, and subnational policy in greater detail. Chapter 13, “Enhancing and Realizing the Climate Ambitions and Capacities of Subnational Actors: State and Local Government Perspectives,” spotlights the essential role of state agencies, including State Energy Offices, in advancing locally-relevant clean energy and climate policies, programs, and investments. It calls for federal agencies and Congress to improve and expand federal programs, such as the U.S. State Energy Program, that support state and local capacity and willingness to implement decarbonization.
Sandy Fazeli, NASEO Senior Managing Director, served on the multi-disciplinary study committee that informed and developed the report. More information is available on the NASEM website.