Congress and states get a mandate to tackle affordability by deploying clean energy

The U.S. election results show decisive support for clean, affordable energy, as voters elected leaders nationwide committed to lowering energy costs and meeting rising demand with clean solutions.

Ceres urges the incoming Congress to refocus federal policy on reducing costs for businesses and consumers by modernizing the power grid, doubling down on clean manufacturing, and deploying affordable, homegrown wind, solar, batteries, and efficiency solutions. New state policymakers also have opportunities to strengthen successful clean energy policies to build modern, more affordable, and more reliable energy systems.

“Energy was a top issue this election season, and voters delivered a clear mandate for Congress to bring electricity prices down by deploying clean, affordable power.” said Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber. “They can begin this year by passing the Senate’s bipartisan permitting deal, which includes strong provisions to ease transmission development and ensure permit certainty for urgently needed clean energy projects. But lawmakers must also work together to develop the next generation of clean energy and pollution reduction policies, which will insulate American businesses and consumers from volatile prices and geopolitical conflict. The future of the American economy depends on it.”

Ceres and its Policy Network, along with other corporate and investor leaders from across the economy, will engage leaders on Capitol Hill to fine tune the next round of clean energy and grid modernization policies to bring down energy prices and to ensure they are enacted at the next available opportunity. Our federal priorities for the end of 2026 and the new Congress starting next year include:

• Passing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act before the end of 2026. Enacting this strong bipartisan deal this year would allow lawmakers to use 2027 and 2028 to ensure robust implementation and work on the next round of policies to bring down prices by deploying affordable, homegrown clean energy. Ceres and our Policy Network will continue to support this effort and advocate on Capitol Hill through the end of the year, and we will work with policymakers to address some of the concerns raised across the environmental community.

• Restoring targeted clean energy incentives to address high prices and rising electricity demand from data centers. The new majority in Congress has an opportunity to take lessons from the past few years to shape new, long-term solutions that ensure America has durable clean energy and climate policy that reduces costs for years to come.

• Expanding home efficiency programs and distributed energy resources. Lawmakers should look to data centers to pay for home energy upgrades for consumers and programs to modernize the grid and deploy smart appliances and rooftop solar.

• Addressing the growing bipartisan call to protect the freedom to invest. Lawmakers should bring legislation to the floor of both chambers addressing both state laws that limit investor voices and the SEC’s continued rollback of shareholder rights. Ceres and our Freedom to Invest initiative will continue to educate state and federal lawmakers on the importance of both issues.

• Building a more resilient economy. Lawmakers must use this opportunity to reduce climate pollution and secure supply chains for the future by accelerating both manufacturing and deployment of cost-saving clean solutions.

Ceres and major businesses will also encourage new governors and state legislators to continue strong efforts around the country to deploy clean energy and address rising prices.

“In the states, the work to tackle energy affordability has already begun. Now, it’s time to double down,” said Lubber. “States like Virginia, Illinois, Arizona, and California have strong proposals on the table to tackle energy affordability right now, and Ceres will be working across the country to educate a new slate of governors and state legislators on why these policies matter and how they should be implemented. The business perspective is uniquely valuable in the states at this decisive moment. This election is an opportunity to work together to build a cleaner, more resilient economy.”

In 2026, more than two dozen major companies working with Ceres called on state policymakers around the country to tackle rising energy prices by optimizing the power grid, accelerating clean power deployment, and expanding energy efficiency programs. Ceres led business advocacy efforts to educate governors and state legislators on many of these priorities. They are laid out in more detail in Powering Affordability: A Business-Backed Playbook for a Modern Clean Energy System.

Working together with businesses and investors, the election results present an opportunity to educate a new slate of state policymakers on these priorities — and on the benefits of strong state clean energy policies already in place.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and resilient economy. With data-driven research and expert analysis, we inspire investors and companies to act on the world’s sustainability challenges and advocate for market and policy solutions. Together, our efforts transform industries, unlock new business opportunities, and foster innovation and job growth — proving that sustainability is the bottom line. For more information, visit ceres.org.