These down-ballot election results will slow states' transition to clean energy

In three closely watched races in Arizona , Montana , Louisiana , and Louisiana , Republican candidates either won or are in the lead.

Clean energy advocates cast these candidates as deferential to the power companies they aspired to regulate.

The Arizona Corporation Commission ’s most recent goal for renewable energy, set in 2007 , was an unambitious 15 percent .

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Craig Greene is retiring at the end of his term.

Greene is considered the swing vote among the five commissioners, two of whom are Democrats .

On Tuesday , Greene ’s seat was won by Jean-Paul Coussan , a state senator from Lafayette .

Coussan has criticized renewables for “driv[ing] out oil and gas jobs”.