Tracking policy developments across the South
The Southern States Energy Board monitors energy and environmental legislation to help legislators, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public follow policy developments across its member States and Territories. Through annual publications and ongoing tracking, the Board provides accessible summaries of legislative activity and emerging regional priorities.
Energy & Environment Legislative Digest
For more than four decades, the Energy & Environment Legislative Digest has documented legislative trends across the Board’s membership. The publication brings together summaries of enacted measures, offering a resource for comparing state approaches to shared energy and environmental challenges.
The 2026 edition also features an introduction from the Board’s Vice Chairman, Sen. Ken Yager, providing a leadership perspective on the region’s priorities.
2026 Legislative Trends
Member States and Territories advanced policies focused on energy reliability, infrastructure development, affordability, and resource management.
Utility legislation led regional activity, addressing generation adequacy, transmission and grid investment, rate structures, cost recovery, and protections for critical infrastructure. Inland water quality and management also remained a major focus, with updates to permitting, water supply, wastewater, and flood-control programs.
Other measures strengthened cybersecurity and digital oversight, supported domestic fossil energy and critical mineral development, refined carbon capture and storage frameworks, and expanded opportunities for nuclear and renewable generation.
Together, these efforts reflect a regional emphasis on reliable and diverse energy systems, economic growth, environmental stewardship, and long-term resource security.
Explore the Printed & Interactive Digests
The printed Digest summarizes legislation enacted through its publication date, providing a snapshot of legislative outcomes across our membership region and beyond.
The Interactive Digest is updated throughout the year as bills are filed, considered, and enacted, allowing users to follow ongoing activity across the Board’s member States and Territories.