Updated Energy & Environment Legislative Digest Now Available
We are excited to announce the release of the 2024 Energy & Environment Legislative Digest, a comprehensive report prepared by the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB). This annual publication provides valuable insights into the latest energy and environmental legislative trends across the SSEB’s 16 member states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It serves as an essential resource for policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental stakeholders, offering an in-depth look at regional efforts to address critical issues in energy and environmental policy.
If you prefer a web-based experience, you may review the bills passed this past session with our interactive digest linked below.
Key Highlights
Analyses of new laws enacted by our member states and territories revealed several pertinent themes from recent years. In the category of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, critical infrastructure protection laws were enhanced in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee by adding specificity regarding the assets to be protected by the law and adjusting penalties for damages. Regarding Utilities, appliance energy choice bills were enacted in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi that are similar to laws established in Georgia and Tennessee in 2023. New measures passed in Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia pertaining to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in the Emissions & Pollution and Inland Water Quality and Management categories.
Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia clarified existing laws related to Carbon Capture & Storage subjects such as long-term liability, unitization, and permitting authority, which are necessary components of the legal and regulatory framework for state permitting primacy of underground injection control Class VI wells.
An increase in the distribution of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology legislation across member jurisdictions was realized this year with Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Virginia organizing to either study or implement laws for the expansion of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, as well as digital asset mining impacts on the energy grid, water resources, and sound. Foreign ownership of digital asset mining businesses was prohibited by Arkansas and Louisiana. Tennessee created an advisory council to inform the usage of artificial intelligence in state government.
Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and Oklahoma focused on nuclear energy laws in the categories of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Nuclear Energy, and Utilities. Topics include defining nuclear energy as a clean energy resource, preserving the existing fleet and supporting advanced nuclear, initiating studies into workforce development and regulatory preparations, and establishing tax incentives and emergency response plans.
Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the U.S. Virgin Islands passed measures spanning multiple energy categories regarding electric vehicles and/or alternative transportation fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen fueling stations. In Louisiana and Tennessee matters such as hydrogen infrastructure, market development, or tax exemptions are under consideration.
In the category of Land Management, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Tennessee banned foreign ownership, acquisition, and interests in agricultural land.
A resolution encouraging federal permitting reform was passed in Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The resolution urges the United States Congress to reform federal permitting policies to accelerate the deployment of new energy infrastructure and asks for the domestic build-out of a full array of modern energy technologies.
In Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, a notable focus has been on environmental management and conservation. These states passed multiple bills aimed at protecting natural resources, reflecting a growing regional commitment to sustainability. In contrast, states like Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee have shown a strong legislative emphasis on utility regulation and energy efficiency.
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Kentucky concentrated their legislative efforts on industrial water management and environmental health. These states introduced bills that address water quality and pollution control, recognizing the critical importance of maintaining clean and safe water for both industrial and public use.
While there is some variation in focus across our region, common threads are environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and diversification of resources. Each state is addressing these issues in ways that reflect their respective environmental and economic goals.
A Resource for Policymakers and Stakeholders
As we move toward 2025 and beyond, the challenges and opportunities in energy and environmental policy will continue to evolve. SSEB remains committed to facilitating dialogue, providing expertise, and supporting its member states as they navigate this complex landscape.
We encourage you to explore the 2024 Energy & Environment Legislative Digest to gain a deeper understanding of the efforts shaping the future of energy and the environment in the Southern region of the United States. Together, we can drive innovation, protect our natural resources, and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
