Translating Global Energy Milestones into Local Government Action

The news that renewables overtook coal in global power generation during the first half of 2025 represents a pivotal moment that cities can no longer afford to observe passively. According to data from the International Energy Agency, renewable sources supplied more than 30 percent of global electricity generation during this period, surpassing coal for the first time in recorded history¹. For local governments, this shift signals more than environmental progress - it presents a tangible opportunity to align infrastructure, workforce development, and economic policy with the momentum of clean energy.

City and regional leaders should view this milestone as a launchpad for new and expanded programs. Infrastructure grants from national governments and philanthropic sources are increasingly tied to climate equity, transportation electrification, and distributed energy resilience². Local agencies can capitalize on these trends by prioritizing shovel-ready projects that reduce emissions while creating economic opportunity. For instance, workforce training programs focused on solar installation, electric vehicle maintenance, and building energy efficiency can be integrated into community college curricula and workforce development boards³. By aligning local policy goals with federal climate funding streams, cities not only reduce emissions but also improve economic mobility and social equity.

Closing the Energy Literacy Gap

Despite the scale of the recent clean energy milestone, public understanding of what it means remains limited. This is a critical gap. Without informed residents, local governments will struggle to implement the policies and programs necessary for a successful energy transition. Studies have shown that while general support for renewable energy is high, detailed knowledge about how energy systems function, how to participate as a consumer or prosumer, and how policy decisions affect local grids remains low⁴.

Cities can address this gap by embedding energy education into public communications and community programs. Libraries, recreation centers, and schools can host workshops on rooftop solar incentives, electric appliance rebates, and time-of-use electricity rates. Public hearings and planning processes should include plain-language explanations of how local energy decisions connect to broader climate goals. Some cities, such as San Antonio, Texas, have piloted “energy ambassadors” programs that train community members to engage their neighbors on sustainability topics⁵. These approaches foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility that technical policy alone cannot achieve.

Policy Levers for Local Energy Integration

To translate global clean energy gains into local impact, cities must deploy practical policy tools that align with their unique infrastructure and demographic conditions. Building performance standards, for example, are a powerful mechanism for improving energy efficiency in new and existing structures. Washington,