News

DENVER, March 21, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy) applauded the selection of Maury Galbraith as Executive Director of the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (“CETA”). 

“We’re delighted to see Maury Galbraith take on this important leadership role at CETA,” said Emilie Olson, Senior Principal at Advanced Energy United. “Maury brings a strong track record of Western interstate cooperation to CETA and will, in this same vein, ensure Colorado is well positioned to capitalize on the benefits of clean energy growth and resource sharing across the region as we are filling infrastructure gaps here in the state.  With a new Executive Director at the helm, a fully-staffed CETA can get to work bringing the economic and grid reliability benefits of a modernized, regionally connected transmission system to fruition for the state.”  

ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 17, 2023 – The Maryland State Senate is expected to pass the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources Act (POWER Act – SB 781), which would advance offshore wind production in Maryland as well as the transmission infrastructure that is critical to support offshore wind and other new renewable energy sources. Focus will soon turn to the Maryland House of Delegates, where action is expected quickly in the Economic Matters Committee. Advanced Energy United’s Managing Director Nathan Willcox issued the following statement in response: 

Advanced Energy United expresses disappointment in Nevada Public Utilities Commission's decision to approve a new "peaker" plant for Nevada.

Washington, D.C., March 14, 2023 -  Today, national business association Advanced Energy United expressed disappointment with the Public Utility Commission of Nevada’s decision to approve NV Energy’s proposed gas-fired “peaker” plant in the utility’s 4th Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) amendment. This will be Nevada’s first new fossil-fuel electricity generation plant in approximately 15 years, otherwise at odds with the state’s move to clean energy. Every three years, utilities are required to comprehensively evaluate options to serve their customers’ needs at the lowest reasonable cost using a combination of supply-side and demand-side resources. But that same comprehensive analysis is not required for amendments, which can also receive expedited approval that makes it hard for intervenors and the Commission to examine the proposal to ensure that it is prudent.  

The new state office will  handle energy, water and land issues and steer policy for the state at a time of unprecedented opportunity.

 PHOENIX, Feburary 23, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy) applauded Governor Katie Hobbs for creating an Office of Resiliency to handle energy, water, and land issues for the state and congratulated Maren Mahoney, who has been named its director.

CEO Nat Kreamer transitions to sustainability investing; Advanced Energy United President Heather O’Neill promoted to CEO. 

WASHINGTON, DC, February 15, 2023 – After four and a half years leading the Advanced Energy United organizations to achieve historic political wins and record financial growth, CEO Nat Kreamer is transitioning to a new role as Executive Chairman of AMP Robotics with additional leadership roles in his investments at Fairtide, HDM Renewable Finance, and Highland Electric Fleets. Kreamer will remain a member of the Advanced Energy Institute board. Current President Heather O’Neill will become CEO and President of the organizations with the full support of their boards. 

Assembly Bill 538 "jumpstarts" conversation around regional grid collaboration, with the potential to save hundreds of millions in energy costs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Introduced by Assemblymember Chris Holden (AD41), Assembly Bill 538 would create a structure that would allow the California Independent System Operation (CAISO) to integrate into a broader, independent regional transmission operator (RTO). A 2022 economic development study commissioned by Advanced Energy United and conducted by Energy Strategies found that a transition like the one proposed in AB 538 could create over 138,000 jobs and save ratepayers $538 million per year in energy costs.

Joining a Western grid would keep the lights on during extreme weather while creating up to 138,700 jobs and annually reducing energy bills $563 million

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A new study shows California would see significant economic benefits from participating in a regional electric grid with neighboring states. Conducted by independent consulting firm Energy Strategies on behalf of business association Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy), the study found that joining a regional transmission organization (RTO) could generate upwards of $21.7 billion in new annual gross state product for California and up to 138,000 new, permanent, living-wage jobs. 

The state’s pending budget shortfall could jeopardize its 100% clean power and zero-emission vehicle targets.

SACRAMENTO, January 10, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy) responded to California’s impending $24 billion deficit. The organization released the following statement from Principal Emilie Olson in advance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget release:

Urges expedient nomination of a fifth Commissioner to restore a full complement to FERC

WASHINGTON, January 3, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United thanked outgoing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chair Richard Glick for his productive and impactful tenure, congratulated Commissioner Willie Phillips on his appointment as Acting Chair of the Commission, and urged expedient nomination of a fifth Commissioner to restore a full complement to FERC.