2025 Governors’ Advisors Energy Policy Institute – National Governors Association

Report on the 2025 Governors’ Advisors Energy Policy Institute

The National Governors Association (NGA) convened the 2025 Governors’ Advisors Energy Policy Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 7-8. The event brought together over 100 participants, including senior energy advisors from 26 states and territories, to address critical energy challenges and opportunities. Discussions were framed around advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

High-Level Strategic Discussions on Sustainable Energy Governance

H3: Federal-State Collaboration for SDG 7

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner (FERC) Judy W. Chang initiated the proceedings by emphasizing the need for robust state engagement in shaping energy markets. Her remarks highlighted the importance of federal-state partnerships, a key component of SDG 17, to ensure that regulatory frameworks can effectively support the transition to reliable and clean energy systems in line with SDG 7.

H3: Host State Leadership in Affordable and Reliable Energy

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Secretary Rebecca Tepper presented their state’s strategy for ensuring energy affordability and reliability. Their approach underscores a commitment to SDG 7 by employing a comprehensive strategy to increase energy production and manage consumer costs, providing a model for other states aiming to achieve sustainable energy for all.

Thematic Analysis of Key Energy Sectors and SDG Alignment

H3: Market Trends and the Challenge to SDG 7

A session led by Deloitte’s Kate Hardin addressed the unprecedented growth in power demand, largely driven by data centers and AI. This presents a significant challenge to maintaining affordable and reliable energy. Key findings included:

• A projected increase in natural gas demand ranging from 3 to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030 to power new data centers.
• The re-emergence of nuclear energy as a long-term, clean energy solution capable of meeting at least 10% of the new electricity demand, contributing to SDG 7 and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• The critical role of demand management and grid-enhancing technologies in ensuring grid stability and advancing SDG 9.

H3: Energy as a Catalyst for SDG 8 and SDG 9

Panelists from the State of Colorado, Amazon Web Services, and McKinsey explored the linkage between energy infrastructure and economic development. The discussion centered on positioning energy as a driver for achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9. The primary recommendation was for Governors to integrate energy planning with economic development strategies to support industrial growth in sectors like AI and advanced manufacturing while ensuring grid reliability.

H3: Nuclear Energy’s Role in Achieving Clean Energy Goals

Representatives from Missouri, Indiana, Louisiana, and Connecticut shared outcomes from NGA-hosted nuclear energy retreats. The session highlighted state-level actions to advance nuclear power as a key component of a clean energy future, directly supporting SDG 7 and SDG 13. State initiatives focused on:

1. Aligning economic and energy sectors to advance nuclear projects.
2. Creating financing incentives for new nuclear development.
3. Communicating the benefits of nuclear energy to the public.
4. Defining the state government’s role in fostering the nuclear sector.

H3: Enhancing Energy Security for Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

Security experts from Avangrid and the American Gas Association provided a briefing on the evolving threats to energy systems. A subsequent panel with officials from Massachusetts and New Mexico detailed state-level strategies for building resilient infrastructure, a core target of SDG 11.

• Cybersecurity: Massachusetts has established a resilience network, leveraging partnerships (SDG 17) between public utilities, industry, and state agencies to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.
• Wildfire Mitigation: New Mexico’s Wildfire Prepared Act was presented as a proactive model for protecting communities and energy assets, viewing wildfire prevention as a systemic risk mitigation strategy that yields long-term economic and social benefits.

H3: Demand-Side Solutions for Affordable and Clean Energy

A panel featuring representatives from the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, Google, Intersect Power, and Schneider Electric discussed the strategic use of demand-side and behind-the-meter resources. These solutions are vital for meeting near-term load growth and advancing SDG 7. Key strategies included:

• Utilizing demand response programs to reduce peak load.
• Co-locating power generation with new large loads like data centers.
• Leveraging public-private collaboration to scale smart infrastructure and flexible load capabilities.

H3: Strategic Investments in Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9)

Experts from Meridiam and Exelon addressed the need for strategic investments to modernize energy infrastructure. The discussion emphasized that clear and consistent state policies are crucial for attracting private capital. This aligns with SDG 9 by promoting resilient infrastructure and supports SDG 17 by creating opportunities for public-private partnerships (P3s) to close existing infrastructure gaps and ensure long-term value.

H3: Regional Collaboration as a Model for SDG 17

Leaders from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Virginia showcased the power of regional collaboration in energy planning. By working through bodies like the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) and within the PJM Interconnection, states are collectively addressing transmission needs and unlocking renewable energy resources. This session served as a powerful example of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in action, demonstrating that cross-state cooperation is essential for achieving shared energy and climate objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article’s central theme is energy policy, focusing on ensuring “reliable and affordable energy” for all citizens. It discusses strategies to meet rising demand, explore various energy sources including nuclear and wind, and modernize energy systems.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The text emphasizes the need for resilient and reliable energy infrastructure to support economic development, particularly for emerging industries like artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and advanced manufacturing. It highlights investments in infrastructure and the use of innovative solutions like “grid-enhancing technologies (GETs).”
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article explicitly links energy policy to economic progress, stating that states can “position energy as a driver for economic development.” It discusses how a stable energy supply is crucial for fostering “industrial growth” and maintaining “robust growth” in an AI-driven future.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The discussions on securing energy systems against threats like cyberattacks and wildfires directly relate to making communities and their critical infrastructure safer and more resilient. Actions like developing a “State Energy Security Plan (SESP)” and passing a “Wildfire Prepared Act” contribute to this goal.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • While not the primary focus, this goal is addressed through discussions on mitigating climate-related hazards. New Mexico’s proactive measures to address wildfires, a risk exacerbated by climate change, and the exploration of low-carbon energy sources like nuclear and wind power, are relevant to climate adaptation and mitigation.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article is built around the concept of partnership. It details collaboration at multiple levels: between federal and state entities (FERC), among states (“Regional Gubernatorial Collaboration”), and through public-private partnerships to finance and develop energy infrastructure. The NGA event itself is a multi-stakeholder platform for sharing knowledge and fostering cooperation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. This is directly supported by the repeated emphasis on making energy “reliable and affordable” and the strategies discussed by Governor Healey and Secretary Tepper of Massachusetts.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This is evidenced by the mention of a successful multi-state request for proposals to develop “1,200 MW of onshore wind in northern Maine.”
   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The entire Energy Policy Institute serves this purpose by convening advisors, experts, and the private sector to discuss technology, policy, and “investments in energy infrastructure.”
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The article addresses this by discussing the need to secure the grid against “cyber and physical incidents,” make it resilient to wildfires, and ensure its reliability to meet the “highest power demand growth since the 1940s-1950s.”
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.b: Substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… resilience to disasters. This is reflected in Massachusetts’ development of a “State Energy Security Plan (SESP)” and New Mexico’s “Wildfire Prepared Act,” which are concrete plans and policies to enhance resilience.
4. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. New Mexico’s approach to viewing “wildfires as a systemic energy risk” and implementing proactive mitigation strategies like “home hardening” and “cloud seeding” directly aligns with this target.
5. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article provides numerous examples, including “public-private collaboration to meet the dual challenge of rising electricity demand,” regional state partnerships like “NESCOE,” and the engagement of private companies like Schneider Electric, Amazon, and Exelon in policy discussions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Quantitative Indicators:
   • Energy Capacity from Renewables: The plan to unlock “1,200 MW of onshore wind” serves as a direct, measurable indicator for progress towards increasing the share of renewable energy (Target 7.2).
   • Share of Clean Energy in Meeting New Demand: The projection that “Nuclear energy… could address at least 10% of the increased electricity demand” is a quantifiable indicator for the adoption of clean energy technologies (Target 7.2).
   • Level of Participation in Partnerships: The attendance of “Governors’ advisors from 26 states and territories” at the institute is an indicator of the scale of multi-stakeholder collaboration (Target 17.17).
2. Qualitative and Process-Based Indicators:
   • Implementation of Resilience Policies: The existence of specific state-level plans and legislation, such as the “State Energy Security Plan (SESP)” in Massachusetts and the “Wildfire Prepared Act” in New Mexico, serves as an indicator of implemented policies for resilience (Targets 9.1, 11.b, 13.1).
   • Establishment of Collaborative Bodies: The formation and successful projects of regional groups like the “New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE)” indicate effective regional partnerships (Target 17.17).
   • Adoption of Innovative Technologies: The discussion and exploration of “grid-enhancing technologies (GETs),” “automation,” and “AI for energy” can be seen as an indicator of technological upgrading and innovation within the energy sector (Target 9.1).
   • Development of Public-Private Partnership (P3) Frameworks: The call for “supportive legislation for P3s” indicates a move towards creating frameworks that enable collaborative infrastructure investment (Target 17.17).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nga.org