News

Analysis shows $100 billion in stimulus investment would add $727 billion to California’s gross state product, increase tax revenues, create millions of jobs, and deliver savings to consumers

SAN FRANCISCO, September 29, 2020 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released results of a report that quantified significant economic benefits associated with investments in advanced clean energy deployment for the state of California. The report, which was produced by international economics consultant Analysis Group for AEE, used an industry-standard modeling tool to estimate the impact of investing state or federal stimulus funds in advanced energy technologies, products, and services to boost economic activity in the wake of the COVID-19 slowdown.

Inside INdiana Business covered significant growth of jobs in Indiana's clean energy sector, quoting AEE's Caryl Auslander. Read excerpts below and the full piece here.

A new report from a national public policy advocacy group for the energy sector says clean energy jobs are outpacing auto parts manufacturing jobs in Indiana. Advanced Energy Economy says Indiana had nearly 91,000 advanced energy jobs in 2019, which is a 0.3% increase over the previous year.

Daily Energy Insider reported on Indiana's recent policy decisions to prevent coal plant shutdowns, quoting AEE's Caryl Auslander. Read excerpts below and the full piece here.

Indiana is confronting a complicated choice faced by a number of U.S. states: whether to close coal plants in favor of advancing renewable energy or to keep them open to support jobs. The electricity generation portfolios of Indiana electric utilities are becoming more diversified as they shift toward including more renewables and gas-fired generation facilities and less on coal-fired generation.

E&E News reports how COVID-19 has impacted electric truck transition in the delivery industry with example of AEE member Amazon, quoting AEE's Matt Stanberry. Read excerpts below and the full piece here (sub. req.).

Call it a coronavirus side effect. As millions of homebound customers turn to e-commerce for shopping, a new kind of vehicle is starting to appear on the manifest: the electric delivery truck...

InsideClimate News reported on FERC ruling to open wholesale markets to distributed energy resources, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the full piece here.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave us this kind of news last week with a ruling that says grid operators must open up wholesale markets to "distributed energy resources," like rooftop solar and battery storage.

Employers expected strong 5% growth for advanced energy jobs in 2020 before COVID-19 health crisis hit

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 24, 2020 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) reported the latest employment data in a new fact sheet showing that Arizona had 69,000 people working in advanced energy in 2019. This represents more workers than those in Schools, Colleges & Training Programs (68,055) and double those in Agriculture & Mining (33,070). Nationwide, there were 3.6 million advanced energy workers.

Governor sets 2035 target to transition to electric vehicles and redouble efforts to meet the state’s climate targets

SAN FRANCISCO, September 23, 2020 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded California Governor Gavin Newsom's new Executive Order putting the state on a path toward a zero-emission future by 2035 and ensuring clean transportation for all Californians. The Executive Order calls for transitioning vehicles to zero-emission by 2035 while continuing its strong progress to electrify heavy-duty trucks and address emissions related to the transportation sector statewide. In addition, the order provides agencies with direction to accelerate the state’s critical infrastructure efforts to align with the newly stated goal.

Advanced energy jobs increased 5% last year, soundly beating state’s overall jobs growth rate

TALLAHASSEE, September 23, 2020 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) reported the latest employment data in a new fact sheet showing that Florida had 182,100 people working in advanced energy in 2019. This represents more workers than in Real Estate (148,084) and triple those working in Agriculture (57,336). Nationwide, there were 3.6 million advanced energy workers.

NJ Spotlight News reported on the New Jersey debate over leaving the PJM wholesale market as it seeks to meet clean energy goals, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the whole piece here (the story was also reposted by New Jersey's NPR affiliate WHYY here). 

Will the state’s clean-energy goals be more readily achieved by remaining in the regional power grid or by bolting it out of fear that staying — along with certain federal policies — could undermine efforts to combat climate change?

E&E News covered the impact of Trump's Supreme Court appointment on energy law given the recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the entire E&E News piece here (sub. req.). 

A new Supreme Court appointment at the twilight of President Trump's first term could shift how justices respond to regulatory challenges and dull Chief Justice John Roberts' swing vote in cases with important energy and environmental consequences. And if Trump loses in November, it could complicate Biden administration efforts to address climate change and make it tougher to roll back Trump's deregulatory agenda.

Energy News Network covered advanced energy's role in revitalizing economies after the pandemic, featuring AEE's Illinois jobs data example, quoting AEE's Daniel Bloom. Read excerpts below and the entire Energy News Network piece here. 

Advanced energy — including energy efficiency and renewable power  — provide far more jobs than hotels and motels or the retail industry, according to a recent analysis by the business group Advanced Energy Economy.

The Houston Chronicle reported on the debate about what the energy transition means for Houston's identity, referencing TAEBA's Texas jobs analysis. Read excerpts below and the entire Houston Chronicle piece here.

Houston wants to be the renewable capital of the world. Or, the clean tech capital. Or the energy transition capital. Or maybe the Energy 2.0 capital. It depends on whom you ask...

E&E News reported on a new FERC Order 2222 to remove barriers for distributed energy resources in wholesale markets, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and read the entire E&E News piece here (sub. req.).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday voted 2-1 to remove market barriers for rooftop solar and other distributed energy resources in a long-awaited move that could boost technologies including electric vehicles to "smart" appliances.

Greentech Media covered the recent FERC order requiring wholesale markets to embrace DERs, noting AEE's approval. Read excerpts below and the entire Greentech Media piece here.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has passed a long-awaited order to open up the country’s wholesale energy markets to distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar, behind-the-meter batteries and electric vehicles. Now comes the hard part: creating market rules that allow these DERs to play in bulk energy markets while retaining the role of state regulators and utilities to maintain the soundness of their distribution grid operations and retail DER programs. 

Power Magazine reported on the historic FERC vote directing RTOs and ISOs to embrace DERs, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the entire Power Magazine piece here.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order that advocates for distributed energy resources (DERs) say will enable DERs, including renewable energy such as solar, wind, and battery storage, to compete on a more-level playing field in the organized capacity, energy, and ancillary services markets run by regional grid operators.

North American Clean Energy reported on AEE's recent Illinois job report, quoting Daniel Bloom. Read excerpts below and the entire North American Clean Energy piece here.

National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) reported the latest employment data in a new fact sheet showing that Illinois had 137,300 people working in advanced energy in 2019. This represents more workers than those in Supermarkets & Grocery Stores (113,686) and more than twice those in Real Estate (58,810).  Nationwide, there were 3.6 million advanced energy workers...

Fredericksburg's Free Lance-Star published AEE's Harrison Godfrey's correction to an editorial that asserted rolling blackouts in California are the future for Virginia as it transitions to clean energy. Read excerpts below and the entire The Free Lance-Star piece here.

Employers expected strong 6% growth for advanced energy jobs in 2020 prior to pandemic

CHICAGO, September 17, 2020 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) reported the latest employment data in a new fact sheet showing that Illinois had 137,300 people working in advanced energy in 2019. This represents more workers than those in Supermarkets & Grocery Stores (113,686) and more than twice those in Real Estate (58,810). Nationwide, there were 3.6 million advanced energy workers.

Inside INdiana Business covered AEE's 2020 Indiana Advanced Energy Jobs fact sheet, quoting Indiana AEE's Caryl Auslander. Read excerpts below and the entire Inside INdiana Business piece here. 

E&E News covered FERC chair Chatterjee's announcement to decrease barriers to clean energy, including quotes from AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts and the entire E&E News piece here (sub. req.).

Neil Chatterjee, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is turning his attention to breaking down barriers for distributed energy resources like rooftop solar to participate in wholesale power markets. The long-anticipated move could deliver a boost to budding energy technologies and help the industry compete as a larger-scale resource for the electric grid...

Utility Dive reported FERC rejected NYISO's proposal for capacity market rules to accommodate renewable energy, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts and the entire Utility Dive piece here.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday rejected the New York Independent System Operator's (NYISO) proposal to alter its capacity market in order to accommodate the renewable energy required for the state to reach 70% renewable energy by 2030...

Advanced energy beat state job growth overall; employers expected strong 5% growth for advanced energy in 2020 before COVID-19 health crisis hit

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 10, 2020 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) reported the latest employment data in a new fact sheet showing that New Jersey had 62,100 people working in advanced energy in 2019. This represents more workers than those in Hotels, Motels & Casinos (53,740) and triple those in Colleges & Universities (20,012). Nationwide, there were 3.6 million advanced energy workers.

Greentech Media covered FERCs rejection of the latest proposal from New York's grid operator to allow renewable energy and battery resources to compete against fossil fuels in its wholesale capacity market, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the entire GTM piece here. 

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has rejected the latest proposal from New York's grid operator to allow renewable energy and batteries to compete against fossil fuels in its wholesale capacity market. That may give the state's regulators and policymakers more reason to consider alternatives to federally regulated energy markets. In a Friday order, FERC’s Republican majority denied grid operator NYISO’s proposal to restructure what it terms its “buyer-side market power mitigation rules” to allow wind, solar, batteries and other carbon-free resources to compete against fossil-fueled power plants in its Installed Capacity Market...

Utility Dive reported stakeholder concerns about FERC's agenda for Sept. 30 Carbon Pricing Technical Conference, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the entire UD piece here. 

Federal regulators on Friday announced details of a much-anticipated technical conference on carbon pricing, following a request from a broad group of renewable energy, gas and power groups for the commission to look at the issue more closely, but some stakeholders expressed disappointment with the lineup, decrying a lack of representation from renewable energy and consumer advocates, as well as lack of gender diversity...

PV Magazine reported the latest clean energy jobs and boardroom appointments, including AEE Institute's recent board member appointments. Read excerpt below and the entire PV Magazine piece here. 

Executive, career and boardroom moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy VC. Plus, a few select job openings... Advanced Energy Economy Institute added three industry luminaries to its board of directors: Suedeen Kelly, Partner, Jenner & Block; Melanie Nakagawa, director of climate strategy, Princeville Capital; and Audrey Zibelman, CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator...

In new background paper, AEE argues that the “Fixed Resource Requirement” should not be first choice for states seeking to defend their clean energy commitments against FERC order they see as undermining state policies

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 3, 2020 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released a background paper arguing that pulling out of regional capacity markets should be a last resort for states to defend their energy choices. In “No Quick Fix: Why Fixed Resource Requirement is Not the Best Way for States to Protect Their Energy Choices,” AEE details the ways that the so-called Fixed Resource Requirement (FRR), which some states are exploring in response to an order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) they see as undermining their policy commitments to clean energy, carries with it risks and costs, and that they would be better off prioritizing other options which could bring them closer to achieving their clean energy goals. 

Columbus Times-Dispatch published AEE's J.R. Tolbert's perspective on the Ohio bribery scandal that resulted in passage of HB 6, a bill that actually hurts ratepayers. Read excerpts below and the entire Columbus Times-Dispatch piece here. 

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has been indicted for allegedly employing insidious tactics to jam through House Bill 6, the corrupt energy legislation that serves as his legacy, in order to reward his political benefactors at FirstEnergy with a $1.5 billion bailout. In the scandal’s aftermath, the bill’s sponsors, the new House speaker and even the governor who signed it into law have called for its repeal. They cite the corrupt and illegal activities leading to its passage...

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 1, 2020 – Today, Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEE Institute) announced that three prominent leaders have been elected to its board of directors to support the educational affiliate of national business group Advanced Energy Economy. The U.S. advanced energy market totals more than $238 billion in revenue and supports more than 3.6 million workers.