This trend has been visible from Florida to Arizona to Southern California, as utilities unveil plans for increasingly large installations using photovoltaic panels and other technologies, such as solar thermal and concentrating solar.
Even states that are not particularly known for sunlight, such as New Jersey and New York, have been making their own significant gains in the numbers of megawatts generated from solar resources.
Now, an Associated Press report cites several pieces of legislation that are pending in Louisiana with an eye on helping that state become more of a player in renewable energy. For example, the wire service cites one bill that would allow the state to rent out its land for renewable energy production, while also noting that Louisiana has a generous tax credit aimed at encouraging clean energy development.
The disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could provide additional momentum in Louisiana and surrounding states to embrace cleaner technologies. However, the fossil fuel industry has long been as a dominant player in Louisiana politics, which could invite speculation about the long-term prospects for such policies.
