Can the United States transform itself into a green state? This chapter examines the institutional and ideological barriers preventing the transition to low carbon, sustainable polity. Drawing on institutionalist and discourse frameworks, it shows how institutional barriers are today further entrenched by powerful discursive frames that favor anti-state, anti-climate advocates. The chapter then examines how such institutional, ideational and discourse barriers might be overcome to encourage a green state transformation. It argues that any such transformation must come from ‘below’ the state, and must involve a change not just in government policy and practice, but in discourse and citizen engagement.