State governments are typically comprised of an executive branch having multiple departments and led by an elected governor, a legislative branch that often has two chambers of elected representatives, and a judicial branch. States also often have a number of independent regulatory bodies, such as public utility commissions. When the federal government sets a regulatory standard, for example for emissions, state governments are typically tasked with implementing it through more detailed regulation of industry. Often states will implement their own standards, serving as testbeds for innovative policy ideas.
ESAL interviews James Nachbaur, the Director of the Office of Research, Planning, and Performance within California State's Water Resources Control Board about his involvement with environmental policy and clean energy policy and the steps that brought him to this point in his policy career.
On Sept. 25, 2024, Washington State Academy of Sciences held its 17th Annual Symposium themed "AI to Explore, Discover, and Understand,". Learn more about the impact of AI on scientific research and health care to its potential for addressing environmental challenges and ethical concerns.
Read more about California's recent landmark proposal SB 1047 for ensuring safe and responsible development of large-scale artificial intelligence systems (AI) discussed in a recent virtual event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Carnegie).
Passed on 26 June, the 2024 Energy Storage Systems Act (SB 2499 and HB 7811) represents a significant step toward achieving Rhode Island’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2030. This legislation emphasizes the importance of energy storage in enhancing the reliability and resilience of the state's energy grid, especially as it increasingly relies on […]
Learn more about how researchers are using data science to highlight the housing insecurity issue across the country.
In a recent conversation with ESAL, Kavin Manickaraj, chief data scientist at Greenlink Analytics, reflected on how his concern for the well-being of the local community and effects of climate change informs his science and career path. Learn more about how Kavin wants to bridge the gap between science and political action.
Julie Palakovich Carr is the only biologist with an advanced degree in the Maryland General Assembly, where she has been a representative since 2019. Learn more about the high-impact role of an elected official and the advantages that a scientific background affords policy makers.
Learn about how, founder and executive director of the Illinois Science Council, Monica Metzler uses her legal training and writing background from working with the Illinois House of Representatives and Democratic National Convention to make science concepts clear and accessible to the public.
Learn more about the recent history of nuclear energy usage in the United States and how both national and state-level policies are shaping its future.
