Last week’s dramatic election results herald a major shift in US politics, at the federal level and in many states and local communities. Climate and clean energy advocates are dancing to the sound of the election results still coming out day after day, while making clear this mandate and momentum from voters must be seized upon to deliver real results that better people’s lives.

Exit polls made clear that rising prices on everything from gas to groceries, along with data centers and corporate corruption, were major motivators in this election. The Trump agenda of blocking cheap solar and wind energy projects, while exposing the volatility and fragility of fossil fuel dependence through war with Iran were resoundingly rejected at the ballot box. As journalist Sammy Roth noted, climate concerns were on the ballot in many places, and won basically everywhere. 

A number of key themes emerge from the election results: people want affordable energy and a healthy environment, and want their government to help safeguard against abuses by corporate bad actors. They want public transit, and are willing to pay for it. A rushed buildout of new AI data centers with little regard for community or environmental concerns has proven to be very unpopular. Democracy and decency still matter to people. And Trump’s boasts that oil companies are making record profits from the Iran war did not make the electorate feel better about paying record-high gas and diesel prices.

State government transformations

Several states passed environmental protection and climate resilience measures, and the shift towards Democratic Governors and state legislatures is likely to clear the way for more climate and clean energy legislation over the next few years.

At the state and local level, voters rejected ballot initiatives to lock in fossil fuels, while supporting more clean energy investments and getting utility and corporate money out of politics. In Colorado, voters defeated a fossil-fueled effort to establish a constitutional “right to natural gas.” Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative to prevent utility companies from donating to state politicians. Voters in Eugene, Oregon approved creation of the Eugene Clean Energy Fund to invest millions of dollars into local climate resiliency, energy efficiency, and green workforce development through a 2% surcharge on major retailers. 

Frustrated by repeated rate increases and a perceived lack of public accountability, Georgia voters are giving the state’s Public Utilities Commission a Democratic majority for the first time in decades. The PUC oversees “several issues with substantial implications for power bills and Georgia’s climate future,” notes reporter Emily Jones, “since burning fossil fuels to make electricity is a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions.” Also, for the first time since 1990, Texas has elected a Democrat to serve that state’s commission which oversees the state’s massive fossil fuel industry.

Transit

Voters in at least 11 states overwhelmingly chose to support public transit, including major funding measures in Seattle and Tacoma/Pierce County. Charleston, SC also voted for more transit, as did the San Francisco Bay Area and several other California cities.

Data centers

Voters in dozens of jurisdictions across the country passed measures restricting the growth of data centers. Several newly-elected Democratic Governors, Senators and Representatives have called for moratoriums on construction, or more active approaches to regulate data centers and AI. 

Go deeper: 

• Listen: Caroline Spears (Climate Cabinet) discusses the election results (Volts)
• An Expensive night for big oil (Heated)
• How Trump’s energy policies helped trigger Tuesday’s election rout (New York Times)
• Why the blue wave brings new hope for clean energy (Atmos)