2026 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Energy & Oil

Gavin Newsom: California finally ended its use of any coal-fired power

But in California, we refuse to be bystanders. Already, we have seven times as many clean energy jobs as fossil fuel jobs. Last year, we ran the fourth-largest economy in the world, using 100% clean energy for at least part of 9 out of every 10 days. Today, two-thirds of our energy comes from clean sources, such as solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power. And just last year, California finally ended its use of any coal-fired power. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to California legislature Jan 8, 2026

Glenn Youngkin: Continue to support an All-of-the-Above power plan

For too long, Virginia's policies and the Utilities planned for a stagnant Virginia. Well, we are not stagnant. We are growing. And we must execute a plan where power is reliable, affordable, and Made in Virginia. Meeting this growing power need means continuing to support an All-of-the-Above power plan. What it definitely doesn't mean is rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. It's a bad deal. It doesn't work. It's a regressive tax that drives up the cost of living for all Virginians. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 14, 2026

Jared Polis: We're #1 nationally for percentage of electric vehicle sales

When I took office in 2019, there were 18,000 electric vehicles driving around Colorado, our energy office director Will Toor was one of those early adopters! Today, Will no longer feels lonely, with more than 204,000 electric cars on Colorado's roads. We're #1 nationally for percentage of electric vehicle sales, and by embracing these clean, quiet, fun to drive cars, we've cut emissions by nearly 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 15, 2026

Jared Polis: In Colorado we tackle climate challenges head on

In Colorado, we tackle climate challenges head on, instead of burying our heads in a pile of coal. I would say snow, but sadly snowpack this year is only 62% of average. We're charging forward on the plan to 100% clean energy to unlock the lowest cost clean energy for Coloradans. By 2030, more than 70% of Colorado's electricity will come from wind and solar. But we need emerging technologies like geothermal or carbon capture to get us to 100%. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 15, 2026

Kathy Hochul: Nuclear vital to our all-of-the-above approach to energy

Last summer, I took the bold step of greenlighting the first nuclear power project in a generation, a vital part of our all-of-the-above approach to energy. At the time we set a goal of building one gigawatt of nuclear power. But if there's one thing I believe, it's this: Go big or go home. So I've decided to raise the bar to five gigawatts. That's more nuclear energy than has been built anywhere in the United States in the last 30 years! Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the New York legislature Jan 13, 2026

Mike Kehoe: I am proud to announce that Missouri is all in on nuclear

I am proud to announce that Missouri, and this administration, is all in on nuclear. We know nuclear is a safe, reliable, and clean energy source that can and will power Missouri's economic future for generations to come. Before this address, I signed an executive order establishing the Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force to build on the work being led by President Trump at the federal level and promote nuclear energy deployment in Missouri. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature Jan 13, 2026

Bill Lee: An additional $25 million to the Nuclear Fund this year

We have also made Tennessee the global epicenter of nuclear energy…talk about a new frontier.

Tennessee was just named the number one state for nuclear energy development, and it's clear why. Tennessee's Nuclear Fund that you helped create has already recruited $8 billion in investment from leading nuclear companies around the world, creating thousands of new jobs, and more are on the way. That's why we're proposing an additional $25 million to the Nuclear Fund this year.

Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature Feb 2, 2026

Henry McMaster: South Carolina will lead our nation's nuclear renaissance

South Carolina will lead our nation's nuclear renaissance. With over half of our state's electricity safely generated by nuclear energy and with seven operating reactors, South Carolina has both the experience and the infrastructure needed to lead this nuclear renaissance to provide ample, clean, resilient energy for the future. Source: 2026 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 28, 2026

J.B. Pritzker: Illinois is number one in clean nuclear energy production

Illinois is already number one in clean nuclear energy production. That is a leadership mantle we must hold onto. Producing even more energy is vital to keep up with increasing demand and bring down prices. The economic opportunity of building new clean power is enormous, so today, I've issued an executive order designed to speed up building new clean nuclear power so we can increase our electricity supply and secure our energy future. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature Feb 8, 2026

Janet Mills: We need to welcome more clean energy onto the grid

What Maine needs to do is to keep diversifying our energy sources by welcoming more clean energy onto the grid in order to offset natural gas. That is why we are procuring more cost-effective clean energy, like wind and solar here in Maine, and hydro from Canada, while pursuing energy storage as well. Let's lower energy costs by lowering our reliance on fossil fuels and make all our homes safer and more weather proof. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature Jan 27, 2026

Kelly Ayotte: Foster the next generation of nuclear power generation

Looking toward the future of energy in New Hampshire, we can build on the successes of our homegrown power. Today, I am directing our Department of Energy to build pathways to foster the next generation of nuclear power generation here in New Hampshire. I have asked the Department to bring together stakeholders, lawmakers and organizations focused on nuclear generation to ensure our state is at the forefront of this pivotal technology. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the N.H. legislature Feb 5, 2026

Matt Meyer: We need more homegrown energy to lower electricity bills

Power projects cost a lot of money and can take a long time to get up and running, often a decade or more. Imagine if we could turn on 1.7 gigawatts of power generation. That is more than a flux capacitor. That is more than enough energy to power every household in Delaware. We need more homegrown energy to lower electricity bills. And that is why U.S Wind, a 1.7-gigawatt project can and must be part of the solution. We also need safe, modern nuclear energy. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature Jan 22, 2026

Maura Healey: We're going after more solar, more battery storage

Our strategy on supply is "all of the above"--wind, solar, hydro, gas, nuclear--whatever it takes to power our homes and businesses and cut your costs. Last week, we flipped the switch on a new hydroelectric line that is running right now and lowering bills by $50 million. And we're going to do more. This year, we're going after more solar, more transmission, more battery storage so we have the energy we need. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature Jan 22, 2026

Michelle Lujan-Grisham: We cut climate warming methane emissions in half

As part of our record economic gains, we've produced clean energy jobs at a faster clip than any other state in the nation. We've doubled our wind power capacity and now rank sixth nationally in solar power capacity. Our Energy Transition Act brought in $10 billion in private investment and set aggressive clean energy goals that we are already on track to beat. We cut climate warming methane emissions in half compared to our neighboring states, and our rules became the federal standard. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature Jan 20, 2026

Ned Lamont: We got the wind power turned back on

The White House threatens to put a tariff on Canadian energy, and the stop-start-stop-start on wind only drives up costs for you. Thanks to all of you, and some of you for stating loud and clear these erratic federal policies are no way to run a business. And thanks for legal help from Attorney General Tong, we got the wind power turned back on. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature Feb 4, 2026

Patrick Morrisey: Prioritize power through coal, natural gas, and nuclear

We are, and always will be, America's energy state. That's what our "50 by 50" plan is all about. An ambitious initiative to more than triple our power generation by 2050. By prioritizing reliable baseload power through coal, natural gas, and nuclear, while supporting all major energy sources, we are building an energy strategy that will increase power generation from 16 to 50 gigawatts and will power America for the next half century and beyond. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to West Virginia legislature Jan 14, 2026

Tim Walz: Get Minnesota on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2040

We've also worked together to get Minnesota on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2040 while creating green jobs in every corner of the state. And I've had the privilege of signing into law more than 40 different climate initiatives, including expanding our electric vehicle infrastructure, making our homes and buildings more resilient and efficient, and cutting red tape for clean energy projects. We also banned so-called "forever chemicals," which makes us all healthier. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Minnesota legislature Apr 29, 2026

Tony Evers: Make sure we continue to work toward our clean energy goals

For years, the state has purchased renewable electricity certificates from Wisconsin utilities to power our state agencies. I want to make sure we continue to work toward our clean energy goals. Tonight, I'm announcing that the state is going to purchase about 225,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy every year for the next 20 years. Folks, just to put that in perspective, that's enough renewable energy to power more than half a million Wisconsin homes. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature Feb 17, 2026

Wes Moore: It's time to double down on solar, wind, and energy storage

This year, let's work together to build a thriving energy market that gets more energy to the grid, adds more jobs to the economy, and puts more money in the pockets of working families. And let's make sure we're doing it right here in Maryland, so we don't need to rely on other states to keep the lights on. It's time to double down on solar, wind, and energy storage. That's where the jobs are. That's where many of the shovel-ready projects are. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to the Maryland legislature Feb 11, 2026

Mikie Sherrill: Solicit new solar and storage power generation

First, I am issuing an Executive Order giving the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities the authority to pause new utility requests for additional rate increases, and I will freeze rate hikes to finally provide families with real relief on their energy bills. Second, I am issuing an Executive Order directing the Board of Public Utilities to open solicitations for new solar and storage power generation, to modernize gas and nuclear generation, so we can lower utility costs over the long term. Source: 2026 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature Jan 20, 2026

The above quotations are from 2026 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for definitions & background information on Energy & Oil. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Gavin Newson on Energy & Oil. Click here for more quotes by Kay Ivey on Energy & Oil.
*Gubernatorial candidates on Energy & Oil:*
*Gubernatorial races in 2026:* AK: Mike Dunleavy(R,term-limited) AL: Kay Ivey(R,term-limited) AR: Sarah Huckabee Sanders(R,for re-election) AZ: Katie Hobbs(D,for re-election) CA: Gavin Newsom(D,term-limited) CO: Jared Polis(D,term-limited) CT: Ned Lamont(D,for re-election) FL: Ron DeSantis(R,term-limited) GA: Brian Kemp(R,term-limited) HI: Josh Green(D,for re-election) IA: Kim Reynolds(R,retiring) ID: Brad Little(R,for re-election) IL: J.B. Pritzker(D,for re-election) KS: Laura Kelly(D,term-limited) MA: Maura Healey(D,for re-election) MD: Wes Moore(D,for re-election) ME: Janet Mills(D,term-limited)	*2026 gubernatorial races continued...* MI: Gretchen Whitmer(D,term-limited) MN: Tim Walz(D,retiring) NE: Jim Pillen(R,for re-election) NH: Kelly Ayotte(R,for re-election) NM: Michelle Lujan-Grisham(D,term-limited) NV: Joe Lombardo(R) NY: Kathy Hochul(D,for re-election) OH: Mike DeWine(R,term-limited) OK: Kevin Stitt(R,term-limited) OR: Tina Kotek(D,for re-election) PA: Josh Shapiro(D,for re-election) RI: Dan McKee(D,for re-election) SC: Henry McMaster(R,term-limited) SD: Larry Rhoden(R,for re-election) TN: Bill Lee(R,term-limited) TX: Greg Abbott(R,for re-election) VT: Phil Scott(R,for re-election) WI: Tony Evers(D,retiring) WY: Mark Gordon(R,term-limited)
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Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026