Insights

We regularly produce original research and analysis that highlight attorney general work on clean energy and the environment and provide commentary on important and timely topics in these areas of work.

  • Reports An illustration of a just transition: construction workers overlook a green valley with a winding road; solar panels are being installed in the foreground; in the distance, transmission towers and lines connect wind turbines on one side of the image to a skyline on the other side; a train riding along a viaduct connects the foreground and background.

    A Role for State Attorneys General in a Just Transition

    Updated September 21, 2023
    This report considers how state attorneys general (AGs) can help ensure that the shift to renewable energy supports communities and leads to good climate jobs. The report provides insight into the role of AGs, highlights recent AG enforcement of workers’ rights and environmental protection, and offers additional ideas for what state attorneys general can do in relation to a just transition.

  • Trackers A transmission tower in front of an orange sky; a flock of birds flies past; a snippet of text from FERC's Building for the Future NOPR; the State Impact Center logo.

    Tracking Transmission Reform

    Updated September 19, 2023

    Transmission planning needs to change to support a clean, affordable, and equitable grid. Hear from state AGs on why transmission reform is a critical aspect of climate response, get background on how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is approaching its overhaul to the process, and stay up to date on how AGs are getting involved.

  • Blog A court house, the earth, a seedling sprouting; hand drawn doodles across the image.

    Youth Planting the Seeds for Climate Justice

    Across the world youth are demanding protections from government-endorsed and climate change-induced harms. Recent cases illustrate the momentum of youth-led legal battles to enforce their rights to a clean and safe environment.

  • Trackers A soft pink, blue, and navy illustration of a lightbulb overlaid on an illustration of wind turbines sprawled out across a hilly landscape

    AG Actions Database

    Updated August 27, 2023
    This database tracks actions of regional and national significance taken by state AGs to advance clean energy, climate and environmental laws and policies since 2017. The database is updated on a monthly basis.

  • Trackers Illustrations of plastic water bottles, recycling arrows, smokestacks, gavels, justice scales, and plastic bags in various greens, blues, and yellows, displayed in a pattern across a white background.

    Plastics Litigation Tracker

    Updated August 3, 2023

    The Plastics Litigation Tracker tracks cases addressing plastics across federal and state courts, including resolved and pending cases. The tracker will be updated as cases are resolved and new cases are filed.

  • Blog An outline of a car windshield window is filled with symbols signifying electric vehicles, including cars, batteries, road signs, homes with plugs, and a lightning symbol.

    The Electrification of the Nation: How the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project is Charging Up Our Roadways

    Student Blog Series

    A major obstacle to electric vehicle adoption is the lack of available charging infrastructure. The $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, created to support EV infrastructure nationwide, signals an important step for America’s transition into cleaner roadways.

  • Trackers An illustration of a court house with four columns; the spaces between the three columns show, from left to right, water, land, and sky.

    2021 and Beyond: Environment & Energy Cases Involving the Biden Administration

    Updated August 1, 2023
    This tracker col­lects court deci­sions on chal­lenges to fed­er­al actions relat­ed to ener­gy and the envi­ron­ment dur­ing the Biden admin­is­tra­tion. It will be updat­ed as new cases are brought and new deci­sions are released.

  • Articles The Environmental Forum - ELI logo

    Green Amendments: Lessons From Hawai'i, New York, and Montana

    “In the Courts” Column: Green amendments are sprouting up in state constitutions around the country and are starting to be tested in court. These provisions generally guarantee a right to a clean and healthy environment and, if recent cases are any indication, they may have teeth..

  • Blog A watercolor illustration of a construction hard hat over deep yellows, oranges, and blues that evoke very hot temperatures.

    Emergency Power in Focus: An Urgent Need to Address Deadly Workplace Heat Exposure

    This summer, temperatures have reached historic highs. For many workers, extreme heat presents a difficult choice between getting paid and risking hazardous work conditions. With heat waves forecast to continue, governments at all levels need to seriously consider the use of emergency powers to address hazardous heat in workplaces.

  • Blog A white outline of a wind turbine; the outline is filled with icons signifying offshore wind, including waves, anchors, and wind symbols.

    A New York Court Propels Offshore Wind Forward

    Student Blog Series

    An offshore wind project in New York recently survived a legal challenge and construction is moving forward. As one of the first offshore wind projects in New York, South Fork Wind is an important precedent for other projects like it in the state and the region.

  • Projects Two aerial shots; one of an intersection in a city, the other of a winding interstate system.

    Expanding AG EJ Practice — A Resource

    Updated July 26, 2023

    This resource gives an overview of environmental justice and provides guidance for AG offices looking to set up or expand their work in the EJ practice area. It highlights influential moments in EJ history, provides a look into state mapping tools, identifies current federal and state EJ policies, and tracks EJ updates in the media.

  • Op-Eds

    Anti-ESG Laws Cost States and Cities Billions


    “In the face of fires, record heat, floods and other extreme weather events across the country, House Republicans are using much of July to oppose financial transparency related to climate risks and to attack investor freedoms. Their reckless course endangers not just the planet but also the financial stability of Americans’ retirement savings and pensions.”