The 2026 U.S. midterm election delivered historic results that have changed the landscape of Ceres’ policy work. A new generation of leaders who support clean energy is heading to Congress next year, as well as to governor’s offices and state legislatures across the country, on promises to bring down prices and make the economy more affordable.
The policies that take shape in the coming years will define the next chapter of American-made clean energy.
During our recent webinar, The Post-Election Playbook: Opportunities to Advance Clean Economy Policy, the Ceres policy team analyzed what the results mean for the private sector and for bipartisan solutions that lower electricity costs by modernizing the grid and expanding homegrown clean energy and domestic manufacturing.
There are incredible opportunities in Congress and in the states to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable economy. Here are five key takeaways:
A moment of clean economy opportunity
With new leaders on Capitol Hill and in statehouses nationwide, there is an opening to advance a policy agenda centered on expanding clean energy and modernizing our aging power grid. Wind, solar, and energy storage are the fastest and most affordable way to meet this moment of increased power demand and rising electricity prices. We expect renewed momentum at the state and federal levels to open the door to more clean energy investment, good jobs, and lower bills.
Policy progress will come from the affordability lens
Affordability was the top policy issue in the election. Our work over the next two years will be focused on helping policymakers deliver. In the near term, Congress can make it easier to build clean energy and transmission projects, and states can modernize their existing infrastructure and expand cost-saving efficiency programs. Looking towards the future, we see an opportunity to develop a more durable framework for long-term clean energy and clean transportation incentives to both keep costs down and reduce pollution.
Stars aligning in the states
The states offer an opportunity for responsible businesses to make a big impact next year. Legislatures will have new pro-clean energy majorities across the country, from Arizona to Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Utility regulators have turned over, too, including in Georgia, where voters sent new members to the Public Service Commission. Ceres has laid out commonsense, bipartisan policy options for states in Powering Affordability: A Business-Backed Playbook for a Modern Clean Energy System. With business and sustainability leaders helping to chart the path, states can deliver a new vision for energy policy.
Building bipartisan support
Despite new majorities for Democrats in Congress and statehouses, the reality is that bipartisan solutions are durable solutions. Without consensus, it’s all too easy for clean energy policy to change with the winds of each presidential administration. We are committed to rebuilding the coalition of bipartisan support in Congress needed to secure durable policy outcomes for a clean economy. Companies can tell a powerful story to policymakers about what clean energy investment means in their districts and states: new local jobs, reliable and affordable power, and lower costs.
Urgency on permitting and transmission reform
The Bipartisan Affordability and Jobs Act would get critical clean energy projects built faster, strengthen reliability, and deliver lower-cost power to the people and industries that need it. The window to pass it before the current Congress adjourns in December is closing, and the business voice is vital. Policymakers need to hear directly from business leaders to pass the bill so we can spend the next two years ensuring strong implementation and working on the next round of policies to lower prices and expand reliable, American-made clean energy.
The road ahead
So what’s next? Ceres has spent the past two years laying the groundwork for this moment, and we are ready to act. We’re heading to Capitol Hill on December 10 for an advocacy day focused on clean economy priorities for the next Congress, and we'll return in March for LEAD on a Clean Economy, our annual advocacy event.
In the states, we’re bringing together companies and policymakers in Georgia in December to discuss electricity load growth and sustainability. We’re also partnering with Siemens and Advanced Energy United in December for a similar event in Pennsylvania, with speakers from the governor’s office and the state legislature.
This work is stronger with a big tent. We hope you’ll join us and be part of it as we build an affordable, clean economy.