Clean Energy Coalition Supports Proposed FERC Revision of Interconnection Process

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 13, 2017 — A coalition of clean energy groups voiced their support today for proposed interconnection changes by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to improve the efficiency and transparency of interconnection requests and remove barriers to renewable energy development.

The following are comments made by representatives of clean energy and emerging technology groups who support FERC taking action: 

• "AEE supports FERC's ongoing efforts to remove barriers to the deployment of advanced energy. FERC is taking much-needed action to modernize the rules governing our transmission system by streamlining the process for interconnection of new resources. The Commission's proposed action would allow for more cost-effective and speedy deployment of renewable energy and energy storage systems, unlocking the benefits--like reduced costs and improved reliability--these technologies can provide to consumers and the grid." – Arvin Ganesan, Vice President for Federal Affairs, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE).
  
  
• “ACORE applauds the Commission for seeking to remedy the regulatory hurdles that have historically inhibited renewable energy sources equal access to the transmission system. Given the large and increasing role renewables play in powering America’s electricity markets, we are pleased to join with our partners in supporting the proposed improvements to the interconnection process.” – Gregory Wetstone, ACORE President and Chief Executive Officer.
  
  
• “We agree with FERC that the time is ripe for regulatory and policy changes to interconnection processes to ensure lower costs for consumers. The Commission’s proposal, if finalized, will help remove barriers to cleaner, renewable sources of electricity that can help meet the growing needs of millions of Americans. It will facilitate the ongoing transformation of the grid in a timely, reliable and cost-effective manner. This effort will help expedite the development of new generation, like wind energy, which the vast majority of Americans want more of.” – Tom Kiernan, Chief Executive Officer, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

• “The Energy Storage Association is encouraged by FERC taking up the issue of streamlining regulations and eliminating barriers for interconnection of flexible and reliable energy storage technologies. Simplified interconnection procedures will lower costs for all ratepayers, and will help speed our transition to a more efficient, resilient, and affordable energy grid. With the rapid acceleration of energy storage on the grid, the industry recognizes that regulations need to be modernized to keep pace with innovation – and this will be a significant step towards an integrated, flexible grid.” – Matt Roberts, Executive Director, Energy Storage Association.

AWEA and ESA are filing separate comments on the proposed rule that provide greater detail on their respective views.

About AEE
AEE is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its State and Regional Partner organizations are active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Visit AEE online atwww.aee.net.

About ACORE
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing value to the renewable energy industry through market development, policy changes, and financial innovation. With hundreds of member companies from across the spectrum of renewable energy technologies, consumers, and investors, ACORE is uniquely positioned to promote the policies and financial structures essential to growth in the renewable energy sector. The organization’s annual conferences in Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco set the industry standard in providing important venues for key leaders to meet, discuss recent developments, and hear the latest from senior government officials and seasoned experts. For more information, visit the ACORE website and follow @ACORE on Twitter.

About AWEA
AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. We represent 1,000 member companies and over 100,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, serving as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. They gather each year at the Western Hemisphere’s largest wind power trade show, the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, next in Anaheim, California, May 22-26, 2017. Find information about wind energy on the AWEA website. Gain insight into industry issues on AWEA's blog, Into the Wind. And please join us on Facebook, and follow @AWEA on Twitter. 

About Energy Storage Association
The Energy Storage Association (ESA) is the trade association for the energy storage industry and the leading voice for companies that develop and deploy the energy storage technologies we rely on every day. ESA's mission is to promote, develop and commercialize competitive and reliable energy storage systems for use by electricity suppliers and their customers. With more than 180 member organizations, ESA members represent a diverse group of entities, including electric utilities, energy service companies, independent power producers, technology developers deploying advanced batteries, flywheels, compressed air energy storage, thermal storage, pumped hydropower, supercapacitors, and component suppliers, such as power conversion systems. More information is available at:www.energystorage.org

MEDIA CONTACTS:
AEE, Monique Hanis, mhanis@aee.net, 202-391-0884
ACORE, Anna Hahnemann, hahnemann@acore.org, 202-777-7548
AWEA, David Ward, dward@awea.org, 202-425-2065
ESA, Matt Roberts, m.roberts@energystorage.org, 202-580-6282