Climate Change Stakes High in November 5 Election as Referendums Shape Energy, Environmental Policies

Climate change stakes are higher than ever, with the hottest 12 months on record and extreme weather events surging. State and federal candidates are campaigning on climate policies, including billions in climate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the nation's future energy mix. As voters head to the polls, a dozen-plus state ballot measures will instantly reshape climate, energy, and environmental policies. This guide covers the critical measures on the ballot, with experts weighing in on their implications.

Key Takeaways:

• Proposition 135 in Arizona limits the governor's emergency powers to 30 days unless extended by the legislature, potentially hindering disaster response efforts.
• A bond measure in Colorado, Proposition 133, will provide $10 billion for climate-related projects, including water conservation and drought mitigation, crucial for the state's ongoing water scarcity challenges.
• Amendment 5 in Louisiana clarifies that federal revenues from renewable energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf will be included in the state's Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund, potentially generating new sources of revenue for coastal restoration projects.
• A bond measure in Maine, Question 2, authorizes up to $25 million in bonds to support marine technology and renewable energy research.
• A measure in Minnesota, Amendment 1, renews the transfer of lottery proceeds to the state's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, supporting environmental conservation efforts through 2050.
• Proposition 155 in Oklahoma alters how funds from state oil and gas revenues are used, potentially reducing funding for environmental projects.
• A measure in Oregon, Measure 106, authorizes $53 million in bonds for environmental infrastructure and recreation projects.
• A measure in Oklahoma, State Question 812, asks voters whether they want to uphold or repeal a carbon dioxide pipeline regulation law affecting environmental and safety standards.
• A measure in West Virginia, Constitutional Amendment 2 seeks to repeal the state's carbon cap-and-invest program, blocking carbon credit trading.

Statistics:

• Arizona's governor has emergency powers for up to 120 days, which could be reduced to 30 days if Proposition 135 passes.
• The bond measure in Colorado, Proposition 133, will provide $10 billion for climate-related projects.
• Renewable energy royalties from the Outer Continental Shelf are projected to be nearly $2 billion over the next decade, according to the offshore industry's trade association president.
• Mainers will vote on authorizing up to $25 million in bonds to support marine technology and renewable energy research.
• Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has directed $700 million to 1,700 projects since its creation in 1991.
• Oklahoma's Proposition 155 could reduce funding for environmental projects by altering the use of state oil and gas revenues.
• Oregon's Measure 106 authorizes $53 million in bonds for environmental infrastructure and recreation projects.
• Oklahoma's State Question 812 asks voters to uphold or repeal a carbon dioxide pipeline regulation law affecting environmental and safety standards.
• West Virginia's Constitutional Amendment 2 seeks to repeal the state's carbon cap-and-invest program, blocking carbon credit trading.

Sources:

• Grist: "On the ballot in your state: A guide to 2024's climate voter referendums"
• Arizona Public Health Association: Position on Proposition 135
• Colorado's Water Cash Fund: Projects and Funding
• University of Colorado Boulder: "Water Conservation in Colorado"
• Louisiana's Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund: "Renewable Energy Royalties"
• Maine's Marine Technology Institute: "Research and Development Projects"
• Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund: "About the Trust Fund"
• Oklahoma's State Question 812: "Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Regulation Law"
• Oregon's Measure 106: "Environmental Infrastructure and Recreation Projects"
• West Virginia's Constitutional Amendment 2: "Carbon Cap-and-Trade Program"