Where the Candidates Stand: Brent Taylor on Climate & Energy

This is a look at the energy record of Brent Taylor, the Republican running for Tennessee's Congressional District 9, ahead of the November 3 election. As a state senator, Taylor voted for a 2025 law that classifies fossil gas as "clean energy," which stops cities and local power companies from counting it against their renewable energy goals. He also co-sponsored a 2023 law barring local governments from banning gas hookups or requiring new buildings to use only energy-efficient electric appliances, so cities can't set stricter efficiency rules than the state allows.

On climate, Taylor voted for a 2023 law blocking Tennessee and its local governments from adopting sustainability goals tied to a United Nations voluntary development framework. On energy costs, his campaign says he'd address affordability by cutting federal spending and regulations rather than through efficiency or rebate programs. He also supports expanding oil, gas, and nuclear power. His record doesn't include a public position on electric vehicles or on energy justice issues.

On data centers, Taylor backed a 2025 law meant to stop regular electricity customers from covering the cost of grid upgrades needed for large data centers, while letting those facilities generate or buy their own power without state regulatory approval. For homeowners in Tennessee's 9th District, this matters most as background on how a candidate might vote on state energy rules, appliance choices, and utility costs, rather than as news about any new rebate or upgrade program.