The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1948, dedicated to serving the public interest. Its core mission is to improve public policy, inform the public, and invigorate civic life by using data to illuminate issues, foster common ground, and advance projects that lead to tangible progress. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the organization also maintains offices in Washington, D.C., London, and Brussels, with additional staff globally.

Pew operates across five primary areas: communities, conservation, finance and economy, governing, and health. Its work encompasses a wide array of issues, including environmental conservation, public health, state and local fiscal policy, consumer finance, education, and economic mobility. The organization provides rigorous analysis, useful data, and evidence-based recommendations, and is the primary funder and parent organization of the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan public polling and think tank.

Susan K. Urahn serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. In February 2026, The Pew Charitable Trusts announced leadership changes to enhance operational performance, including the promotion of Rea Holmes to Senior Vice President, General Counsel, effective January 1, 2026, ahead of Ms. Urahn's planned retirement. Also in February 2026, the organization committed over $9.1 million to Philadelphia-area nonprofits, with a significant portion allocated to multiyear grants supporting public benefits access, food security, economic advancement, and community safety. The organization manages approximately $8 billion in assets as of June 30, 2024.

Latest updates

Pew Report Urges Policy Overhaul to Accelerate US Distributed Energy Adoption

Event summary

  • The Pew Charitable Trusts released a 'DER policy playbook' outlining six policies to accelerate distributed energy resource (DER) adoption in the US.
  • The playbook, developed over 18 months with a bipartisan advisory council, aims to lower electricity bills, strengthen grid reliability, and defer utility investments.
  • The number of adopted DER policies in the US increased by 79% in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • US DER adoption lags behind countries like Australia, which derives 14% of its electricity from rooftop solar.
  • The report highlights policy as the primary barrier to DER adoption, not technological limitations.

The big picture

The Pew report underscores a critical bottleneck in the US energy transition: policy inertia. While DER technologies are increasingly cost-competitive, regulatory barriers and utility resistance are hindering their widespread adoption. This report signals a renewed push for policy reforms that could significantly reshape the US electricity landscape and accelerate the shift towards a more decentralized and resilient grid, but faces significant political and economic headwinds.

What we're watching

Regulatory Response
State and federal regulators will likely face pressure to implement the playbook's recommendations, potentially leading to legislative battles and utility pushback.
International Comparison
The disparity in DER adoption between the US and countries like Australia will continue to draw scrutiny and may influence policy debates.
Utility Adaptation
How utilities adapt their business models and infrastructure to accommodate increasing DER penetration will be crucial for grid stability and cost management.

State DER Policies Surge Amid Grid Demand Pressures

Event summary

  • State legislatures enacted over 400 distributed energy resource (DER)-related policies between 2021 and 2025.
  • 24 states passed legislation to integrate DERs into utility planning, and 12 states established deployment targets, including Rhode Island's 885 MW energy storage goal by 2033.
  • Policies increasingly focus on compensating DER owners, streamlining permitting, and encouraging virtual power plants (VPPs), with Virginia piloting a 450 MW VPP program.
  • The Pew Charitable Trusts developed the State Policy Explorer tool to track these legislative actions.

The big picture

The surge in state-level DER policies reflects a growing recognition of the need to augment traditional grid infrastructure to accommodate rising energy demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification. While these policies offer a pathway to greater energy resilience and affordability, their effectiveness will depend on navigating complex regulatory landscapes and overcoming technical hurdles in DER integration. The Pew Charitable Trusts' State Policy Explorer provides a valuable resource for tracking this evolving landscape.

What we're watching

Regulatory Headwinds
The pace of DER policy adoption may slow as states reassess the cost-benefit analysis of these initiatives, particularly given potential impacts on utility rate structures.
Execution Risk
The success of VPP programs, like Virginia's pilot, hinges on overcoming technical challenges in aggregating and managing disparate DER assets.
Governance Dynamics
How state-level policies will interact with and potentially conflict with evolving federal energy regulations and incentives will shape the long-term viability of DER investments.

Pew Funds Marine Research to Tackle Illegal Fishing, Pollution

Event summary

  • The Pew Charitable Trusts awarded $150,000 grants to seven scientists over three years, totaling $1.05 million.
  • Research areas include illegal fishing, reef restoration, nanoplastic pollution, and fisheries governance.
  • This year’s cohort includes the first Pew-Gerstner Fellowship focused on ocean plastics and the second Pew-Hoover Fellowship combining marine and biomedical science.
  • Researchers are based in Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Thailand.
  • The Pew Fellows Program has supported over 200 marine scientists to date.

The big picture

The Pew Charitable Trusts' continued investment in marine science underscores the growing recognition of the interconnectedness of ocean health, food security, and economic stability. With global fisheries facing increasing pressure and plastic pollution reaching critical levels, these fellowships represent a targeted effort to address knowledge gaps and develop practical solutions. The focus on genetic techniques and open-source technology signals a shift towards more precise and collaborative approaches to marine conservation.

What we're watching

Governance Dynamics
The effectiveness of international agreements for shared fish stocks, particularly between South Korea, Japan, and China, will be a key indicator of broader ocean governance success.
Technological Adoption
The scalability and adoption rate of open-source tools like Open Specy for nanoplastic classification will determine their impact on pollution monitoring and mitigation efforts.
Community Impact
The long-term sustainability of locally-based conservation incentives, as tested in Sonora, Mexico, will reveal the challenges of integrating economic and ecological goals within vulnerable communities.

County Leaders Demand Federal Disaster Resilience Overhaul

Event summary

  • Pew Charitable Trusts and NACo convened county leaders in October 2025 to assess disaster resilience planning.
  • County leaders consistently called for stabilized grant funding, pre-disaster planning resources, clarified interagency roles, and streamlined assistance delivery.
  • Rising federal disaster declaration thresholds threaten to shift recovery costs onto counties and municipalities.
  • Delays in the Emergency Management Performance Grant program jeopardize staffing and continuity within county emergency management departments.

The big picture

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are straining existing disaster response and recovery systems, highlighting a critical mismatch between federal funding mechanisms and the needs of local communities. County leaders are effectively acting as a de facto feedback loop, articulating the operational realities that policymakers often overlook. This pressure will likely force a reassessment of federal disaster relief programs and the balance of power between federal, state, and local governments.

What we're watching

Funding Stability
The ability of states and the federal government to stabilize disaster resilience funding will directly impact counties' capacity to prepare for and recover from increasingly frequent and severe weather events.
Interagency Coordination
FEMA's role in disaster management will likely face scrutiny as counties advocate for clearer delineation of responsibilities and reduced duplication of effort across agencies.
Local Autonomy
The extent to which states and the federal government respect local operational control during disaster response will determine the effectiveness of resilience efforts and the long-term financial health of counties.

Cape Town Agreement Ratification to Bolster Fishing Safety, Combat IUU

Event summary

  • The Cape Town Agreement (CTA), focused on fishing vessel safety standards, has secured ratification from 28 states, exceeding the required threshold.
  • Argentina's accession to the CTA today marks a key milestone, triggering enforcement beginning next year.
  • The CTA applies to new vessels 24 meters or longer and covers over 3,600 vessels.
  • Research indicates over 100,000 people are killed annually in the global fishing sector, a problem the CTA aims to mitigate.
  • The CTA joins the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) and the Work in Fishing Convention in bolstering ocean governance.

The big picture

The ratification of the Cape Town Agreement represents a significant, albeit belated, effort to address safety deficiencies and governance gaps within the global fishing industry. This move, alongside recent international agreements on biodiversity, fisheries subsidies, and high seas conservation, signals a broader trend toward increased international cooperation in managing marine resources. However, the long-term success of these agreements will depend on robust implementation and consistent enforcement, rather than simply symbolic commitments.

What we're watching

Implementation Lag
The effectiveness of the CTA will hinge on the speed and consistency with which signatory states integrate its provisions into national law and enforcement practices.
Cost Impact
New vessel construction and retrofitting to meet CTA standards will impose costs on fishing operators, potentially impacting competitiveness and creating incentives for non-compliance.
Enforcement Gaps
The CTA's impact on IUU fishing will depend on the ability of port states and flag states to effectively monitor and enforce compliance, particularly in regions with weak governance.

US Grid Modernization Accelerates as DERs Gain Traction

Event summary

  • Duke Energy is incentivizing customers in North Carolina to install solar panels and batteries through a pilot program called PowerPair.
  • A couple in Weaverville, North Carolina, used their home battery system to maintain power for three weeks during Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
  • Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., operates a microgrid that can provide power to the entire campus and generate revenue through leasing rooftop space and providing grid services.
  • At least 16 states have passed legislation encouraging the deployment of Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs) to increase grid capacity.

The big picture

The US electric grid is facing unprecedented demand driven by data centers, AI, and increased electrification, necessitating a shift towards distributed energy resources and grid modernization. The experiences of Australia and North Carolina demonstrate the potential of DERs to enhance resilience and reduce costs, but widespread adoption requires supportive policies and utility adaptation. This trend represents a significant opportunity for technology providers and a potential challenge for traditional energy infrastructure.

What we're watching

Policy Response
The pace of federal and state policy changes will dictate the speed of DER adoption and grid modernization, particularly concerning incentives and regulatory frameworks.
Utility Adaptation
Whether traditional utilities can successfully integrate DERs into their operations and business models, or if they will face resistance or disruption, remains to be seen.
Cost Parity
The continued decline in the cost of DER technologies, particularly battery storage, will be crucial for widespread adoption and achieving economic parity with traditional energy sources.

Surplus Interconnection Service Offers Faster Grid Expansion, States Urged to Act

Event summary

  • Surplus Interconnection Service (SIS) allows new power generation or storage to be added to the grid in months, bypassing the typical 5-year interconnection queue.
  • SIS leverages unused capacity at existing power plants (over 20 MW) by sharing their grid access with new resources like solar and batteries.
  • The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission enabled widespread SIS adoption in 2018.
  • States can encourage SIS through planning requirements, regulatory consideration, economic incentives, and expedited permitting.

The big picture

The US electricity grid faces increasing demand and lengthy interconnection processes, hindering renewable energy deployment. SIS offers a potentially significant shortcut, but its success hinges on proactive state and utility engagement. This approach addresses a systemic bottleneck, potentially accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources and reducing reliance on lengthy transmission line construction.

What we're watching

State Adoption
The pace at which state governments implement the recommended actions will determine the extent of SIS adoption and its impact on grid expansion timelines.
Utility Response
How utilities integrate SIS into their integrated resource plans and resource planning processes will be crucial for realizing the full benefits of the approach.
Regulatory Scrutiny
Increased SIS adoption may draw regulatory scrutiny regarding grid reliability and fairness to projects in the traditional interconnection queue.
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