HB5856 and SB3959 will increase the reliability of the Illinois energy grid, protect ratepayers from rising costs, future-proof the economy, and help the state achieve climate goals
ILLINOIS – Illinois clean energy industries are unified in supporting HB5856 and SB3959, new legislation that will future-proof Illinois’ energy grid and economy, lower consumer costs, meet climate goals, create family-sustaining careers, and mitigate increasing risks of blackouts.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, Illinois, Battery Storage
Renewable Energy World reports that two bills, HB5856 and SB3959, are working their way through the Illinois General Assembly. The bills aim to establish Illinois' first energy storage mandate, increase grid resilience, and decrease energy costs for consumers. United's Trish Demeter spoke to the benefits of the bills and the importance of energy storage solutions to accommodate growing power demands within the state.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Trish Demeter, Virtual Power Plants
Dominion Energy’s newly filed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) sidesteps Virginia’s clean energy requirements by relying heavily on fossil fuel generation through 2039
RICHMOND, VA – Despite Virginia's ambitious clean energy mandates under the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), Dominion has proposed adding nearly 6 gigawatts of new methane gas generation, while failing to prioritize the renewable investments necessary to meet the state's goals. National business association Advanced Energy United criticized the approach.
"Dominion Energy’s latest IRP is a step in the wrong direction. Instead of harnessing the potential of advanced energy to more reliably and cost-effectively meet Virginia’s growing energy needs and clean energy goals, this plan threatens to keep the state dependent on fossil fuels for decades,” said Shawn Kelly, a Director at Advanced Energy United. “Dominion is missing a critical opportunity to lead Virginia’s clean energy transition, protect households and businesses from rising costs, and provide more resilient clean energy solutions for all Virginians."
Topics: Regulatory, Virginia, Press Releases
Virginia's Clean Cars Standard will help facilitate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the state, reducing the risks of long-term environmental impacts. United’s Jim Purekal shares his experience with The Virginia-Pilot of purchasing an EV as a second car, and why the state should do more to work toward a cleaner future by facilitating adoption of EVs.
Topics: Advanced Transportation, Virginia, United In The News, Electric Vehicles, Jim Purekal
Texas news station KBTX News 3 reports that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $360 million in funding for United member company Pattern Energy's Southern Spirit transmission project, which aims to connect the ERCOT grid to other U.S. power grids. The station interviewed Matthew Boms of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, who highlighted the project's potential to lower consumer energy prices and improve overall reliability and efficiency for the Texas energy market.
Topics: United In The News, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, Texas, Transmission, Matthew Boms
Utility Dive reports on the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative (WWGPI) draft Step 2 proposal that would create an independent organization to oversee the Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) and pending Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), which are run by the California Independent System Operator. The article quotes United's Brian Turner, a member of the WWGPI Launch Committee, saying that this independent organization could evolve to offer a full range of regional transmission organization services.
Topics: United In The News, Western RTO, California, Brian Turner
CBS 21 reports on a press conference held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol where state legislators and clean energy advocates came together to discuss the benefits of electric school buses and push for the passing of House Bill 1542, which would establish a statewide electric school bus grant program. The article quotes United's Nick Bibby who spoke to the cost savings for school districts that utilize electric buses.
Topics: United In The News, Pennsylvania, Electric Vehicles, Electric school buses, Nick Bibby
Joint statement from Pennsylvania Electric School Bus Coalition and Representative Brandon Markosek on school bus ride-alongs for HB1542
HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania legislators got to experience the future of clean energy firsthand today, courtesy of the Steelton-Highspire School District’s electric school bus fleet, recently acquired using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Program funding.
Advocates and legislators urged Pennsylvania House leaders to pass legislation to fund a statewide electric school bus grant program to expand access to these cleaner, cheaper, and healthier transportation alternatives. Legislation that would create a new electric school bus program, HB 1542, has already passed out of committee, but now faces the crucial step of being brought to the House floor for a vote.
Topics: Press Releases, Pennsylvania, Electric Vehicles
This summer, Rhode Island passed the 2024 Energy Storage Systems Act and joined the many Northeast states making storage a key part of their energy transition strategy. Solar Power World spoke with United's Kat Burnham about the legislation and the growing momentum behind New England's energy storage advocacy.
Topics: United In The News, Kat Burnham, Rhode Island
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoes into law SB 1374
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 1374, which was designed to accelerate local solar adoption. SB 1374 would have expanded solar benefits by reversing a prior CPUC decision that prevents schools and apartment buildings from being able to use the solar energy they generate on their properties. This misguided veto will result in unnecessary energy costs for schools and apartment buildings.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California, Solar