About this book:

*Climate Politics in the U.S.* provides a comprehensive analysis of the institutional, partisan, and regulatory dynamics that shape American decarbonization efforts. It explores a "braided stream" of progress, where federal legislative gridlock is often countered by executive rulemaking, judicial intervention, and significant policy innovation at the state and local levels. By examining the unique features of American federalism, the book illustrates how states like California act as laboratories for standards in clean energy and transportation, while federal agencies like the EPA navigate complex legal doctrines to regulate emissions.

The book delves into the specific sector-based battles that define the road to net-zero, including the decline of the coal industry, the electrification of the transportation sector, and the technical challenges of modernizing the electric grid. It highlights the pivotal role of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a landmark shift toward industrial policy and green finance, using incentives to reshoring clean manufacturing and catalyze private investment. Simultaneously, it addresses the "gritty details" of governance, such as permitting bottlenecks, methane monitoring in the oil and gas patch, and the vital role of agricultural and forest lands as carbon sinks.

A central theme of the work is the intersection of climate action with social and economic forces. It underscores the growing influence of the environmental justice movement and the necessity of a "just transition" for communities historically dependent on fossil fuels. The text also analyzes the strategic "playbook" for climate advocates, emphasizing the importance of narrative framing—such as national security and economic opportunity—to bridge the partisan "climate gap" and build durable coalitions across labor, industry, and grassroots organizations.

Looking toward 2035 and 2050, the book presents various scenarios ranging from accelerated ambition to political retrenchment. It concludes that the trajectory of U.S. climate policy will be determined by the consistency of political will, the pace of technological innovation, and the ability of institutions to adapt to escalating climate impacts. Ultimately, the road to decarbonization is framed as a continuous negotiation between entrenched interests and emerging market realities, where local leadership and strategic federalism remain the primary engines of change.

What You'll Find Inside:

• U.S. climate politics is defined by fragmented authority across federal, state, and local governments, which creates both veto points and opportunities for policy experimentation when federal action stalls.
• Deep partisan polarization produces a persistent 'climate gap,' yet economic incentives, state-level mandates, and narrowly targeted policies can generate bipartisan support and incremental progress.
• When Congress is gridlocked, the administrative state (EPA, DOE, FERC, etc.) and executive actions become the main engines of climate policy, though they remain vulnerable to legal challenges and administrative reversals.
• State innovations—such as California’s vehicle standards, renewable/clean energy standards, and methane regulations—often set de facto national benchmarks, drive market transformation, and inform federal policy.
• Durable decarbonization requires sequencing and stacking standards, incentives, finance, and grassroots momentum while addressing permitting bottlenecks, grid modernization, and just transition considerations.

Who's It For:

This book is essential for policymakers, legislative staff, and regulatory officials who design and implement climate strategies; advocates and organizers seeking to navigate institutional levers; scholars and students of environmental law, political science, and public policy; and professionals in energy, finance, transportation, and industry who need to understand the intersecting forces shaping U.S. decarbonization.