Advanced Energy Perspectives

Pennsylvania has roughly 270,000 energy workers – nearly half are employed by companies in the advanced energy industry, including those generating solar power, manufacturing energy storage batteries, and helping Pennsylvanians save money by reducing energy waste. While Pennsylvania’s history is rooted in fossil fuels, its present and future is as an advanced energy leader.

This month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced three major investments aimed at enhancing the resilience and reliability of our nation’s electric grid in response to growing demand.

The investments made by DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program, Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, and Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Program represent significant funding for the modernization of our country’s energy infrastructure, whether through transmission projects, innovative grid solutions, or manufacturing capabilities. Funded directly by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), these programs are designed to create a reliable, clean, and affordable grid, while generating thousands of jobs and supporting disadvantaged communities. 

The advanced energy sector has experienced significant job growth in recent years, driven by technology advancements, increased investment in renewable energy sources, and supportive government policies aimed at combating climate change by transitioning away from fossil fuels. Investments in solar, wind, electric vehicles (EVs), and battery storage are creating millions of well-paying jobs across the advanced energy sector. As the advanced energy space continues to flourish, the future of the American workforce will evolve as well, contributing to economic development, energy independence, and positioning the U.S. as a leader in global advanced energy development. 

This year’s California legislative session was filled with twists and turns as lawmakers faced intense pressure to tackle skyrocketing energy bills and prepare the grid for more extreme weather. Amidst these challenges, Advanced Energy United (United) achieved significant victories for advanced energy technologies—but we also experienced some frustrating setbacks in key areas that we will continue to focus on in the coming years. 

Last week at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Advanced Energy United was joined by state legislators and a coalition of stakeholders advocating for electric school buses and a bill that would allow more school districts in the state to buy them. Legislators experienced the benefits of electric school buses firsthand, riding along in one provided by Steelton-Highspire School District, which procured new buses with funding from the federal government for clean transportation.