Key Points
  • Technological innovation and free market incentives have allowed us to promote economic prosperity while improving environmental health, protecting wild lands and conserving resources.
  • Contrary to the current environmental policy that begins and ends with government regulation, environmental policies that harness cooperative market-based solutions not only protect personal freedom and prosperity, but also protect environmental health, quality and values.
  • When property or market-based solutions are not possible, simple and straightforward regulation can be an effective last resort.

Listen to any news broadcast, read any press release from an environmental advocacy group or simply watch the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) propose new regulation after new regulation, and it would be nearly impossible to not come away concerned or even fearful of imminent environmental disaster. It should come as no surprise that public opinion polling shows that large majorities of Americans think environmental quality is getting worse over time, not better.

The reality of the situation, however, is that it is an amazing time to be living in the U.S. and environmental quality has hardly ever been better than it is today. Incredible breakthroughs in technology coupled with sensible environmental regulations have afforded the U.S. with, by any measurement, some of the cleanest air and water in the world post-Industrial Revolution. For instance, since 1970, aggregate national emissions of six of the most common air pollutants (collectively referred to as “criteria pollutants”) have dropped by an astounding 72 percent, on average. During this same time period, national gross domestic product has increased by 219 percent!

Sadly, this story – easily one of the most significant and remarkable in human history – is hardly ever told.

That said, there is always room for improvement, and technologies will continue to develop that will aid in these efforts. Furthermore, environmental challenges will only continue to grow as the developing world begins using greater quantities of energy to develop, thereby raising their standards of living.

With this in mind, ALEC has and will continue to provide policymakers with models that can be used to promote environmental conservation and stewardship at the state level.

Publications

+ All Environmental Stewardship Publications

Model Policies

  • Act to Prohibit State Procurement of Electric Vehicles with Forced Labor Components Final

    AN ACT relating to government procurement of electric vehicles; prohibiting government contracts procuring electric vehicles that may have been made through forced labor; setting remedies and penalties for manufacturers; and providing an effective date. SECTION 1. Legislative Findings The State of [name of state] finds that: many electric vehicles are being made…

  • Resolution Urging Removal of Governmental Barriers to Active Forest Management, to Reduce Catastrophic Wildfires Final

    Whereas, catastrophic wildfire threatens life and property directly, placing communities and homes at risk of destruction, destroying wildlife habitat, impacting water quality, and emitting large quantities of greenhouse gas emissions; and Whereas, just a few weeks of wildfires in California in 2020 emitted more greenhouse gas emissions than the power sector does…

  • Resolution Opposing Securities and Exchange Commission and White House Mandates and Other Forms of Coercion on Climate-Related Financial Matters Final

    Model Resolution WHEREAS, in March 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sought “public input . . . from investors, registrants, and other market participants on climate change disclosure” and explored imposition of new rules for climate change risk disclosure as well as broader disclosure standard related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters that…

  • Establishing a Public-Private Partnership (P3) Office Act Final

    Model Policy {Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. {Title} This Act may be cited as the “Establishing a Public-Private Partnership (P3) Office Act.” Section 2. {Definitions} The following definitions apply in this section: (A) “Contract” means any purchase and sale agreement, lease, service agreement, franchise agreement, concession agreement,…

  • Safeguarding Greenhouse Gas Regulatory Authority Act Final

    Model Policy A bill to be entitled An act relating to greenhouse gas emissions; providing a definition; prohibiting the adoption and enforcement of certain state and regional programs to regulate greenhouse gas emissions without specific legislative authorization; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature…

  • Resolution Supporting Reliable and Affordable Energy Final

    Model Resolution WHEREAS, affordable and abundant energy is a strategic resource that is essential to modern life and America’s economic competitiveness; and WHEREAS, the imposition of burdensome, government-mandated carbon dioxide restrictions and disincentives will have a dramatic, immediate impact on energy costs; and WHEREAS, reducing carbon emissions in any individual state, and…

+ All Environmental Stewardship Model Policies

Task Forces

Energy, Environment and Agriculture

The Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force operates under the principles of free-market environmentalism, that is to promote the mutually…

Press Releases

+ All Environmental Stewardship Press Releases