2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Issue explainer

Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure

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What is the issue?

Energy and infrastructure policy shapes the cost and reliability of electricity and fuel, the environmental effects of energy production, and the condition of roads, water systems, and broadband networks. Different energy sources vary in cost, reliability, emissions, and how quickly new capacity can be built. Climate policy aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and prepare for severe weather, while some voters prioritize lower costs and energy independence. Infrastructure spending depends on federal grants, state budgets, and local utilities. Trade-offs include short-term costs versus long-term savings, local environmental effects, and reliability during extreme weather. Both energy markets and weather affect outcomes, so results are not determined by policy alone.

Topics: Electricity prices and grid reliability · Oil, gas, nuclear, and renewable energy · Climate policy and emissions · Water supply and conservation · Roads, bridges, transit, and broadband · Disaster preparedness and resilience

What decisions are being debated?

How should electricity stay affordable and reliable?

  • Expand generation of all types, including gas and nuclear, and speed up permitting.
  • Expand renewable energy and storage, with new transmission lines.
  • Reform how utilities and grid operators plan and price power.

What role should climate policy play?

  • Regulations or incentives to cut emissions, which can raise some costs while reducing others.
  • Emphasize adaptation and resilience over emission limits.
  • Let markets and technology lead, with fewer mandates.

How should infrastructure be funded and prioritized?

  • More federal or state grants for roads, water, and broadband.
  • Rely on user fees and private investment.
  • Prioritize maintenance of existing systems over new projects.

What can government do?

Congress and federal agencies
Congress funds infrastructure and sets energy and environmental law. Agencies such as EPA, DOE, FERC, and FEMA regulate emissions, interstate power markets, and disaster response.
States
States regulate retail electricity rates through public utility commissions, set renewable and building standards, and manage state highways and water rights.
Counties and cities
Cities, counties, and local utilities build and maintain roads, water systems, and transit, and permit local projects.
Shared or limited authority
Grid reliability involves federal regulators, regional operators, state commissions, and utilities. Authority is divided.

Relevant elections:

What evidence should voters consider?

Where do candidates stand?

Candidate comparisons for this issue are not available yet. They appear only for races where each position is backed by a source we have verified. A missing position is not support, opposition, or neutrality. Candidate filings for every race are listed on the federal races pages.

Learn more

Sources last checked 2026-10-17. Status: explainer written from the cited sources; not independently expert-reviewed. This page explains the issue and does not recommend a candidate.