SEIA’s State Policy team works in state legislatures and state regulatory agencies, advocating for policies that will create, expand, and defend solar markets, and increase the competitiveness of the technologies and product offered by our member companies. In addition to our direct work in SEIA’s priority states, SEIA is working to ensure that the Clean Power Plan survives court challenge and is eventually implemented by EPA in a manner that maximizes solar deployment. We are also working to help states prepare for eventual Clean Power Plan implementation, with an emphasis on emerging markets in the Midwest.

Clean Power Plan

SEIA continues to be actively engaged in Clean Power Plan rulemaking, defense, and implementation.

• SEIA is defending the Clean Power Plan in federal court at the D.C. Circuit to ensure the rule withstands legal challenge and is fully implemented.
• SEIA is working with EPA to ensure that the federal implementation plan, model rules, and clean energy incentive program allow for states and utilities to invest in solar to comply with the CPP.
• SEIA is engaging with states to educate them on how to use solar to reduce emissions and comply with the Clean Power Plan.

Midwest States

SEIA has partnered with the Environmental Law and Policy Center to create the Midwest Solar Coalition in order to facilitate engagement industry engagement and expand market opportunities for solar companies in the Midwest.

• SEIA holds a bi-weekly policy update with the Environmental Law and Policy Center that is open to all solar stakeholders. SEIA continues to support industry efforts to expand and improve the Illinois RPS through the Clean Jobs Bill.
• SEIA and ELPC are fighting utility proposals in Iowa to establish residential demand charges and other rate changes that will discourage both solar and energy efficiency. The utility there, Mid-American, is owned by the same holding company that owns NV Energy.
• SEIA and ELPC are engaged in a proceeding in MN advocating that environmental externalities must be considered in energy procurement decisions, improving the valuation of solar energy.
• SEIA has intervened in an avoided cost docket in Michigan to advocate for a full valuation of solar, which will help drive solar deployment in the state through PURPA.
• SEIA is holding Solar Power PV Conference and Expo this fall in Chicago, which will be a networking and education opportunity for Midwest solar companies.