Renewables Have Hard Night as 2 of 3 State Measures in U.S. Fail

Renewable energy had a tough election night, losing two of three U.S. state ballot measures that would have encouraged cleaner power supplies.

Voters in Washington state defeated an initiative that would have imposed a first-of-its-kind “fee” on carbon emissions. In Arizona, a measure requiring electric companies to get half their power from renewable energy by 2030 failed by a 70 percent to 30 percent margin, according to state officials.

A third initiative, requiring Nevada utilities to get half their power from renewables by 2030, was approved 59 percent to 41 percent.

Fossil Fuel Support

The state votes come as the ...