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Previously approved by the Senate unanimously, Senate Bill 448 passes Assembly on vote of 32-10, creating new investment in transportation electrification infrastructure and a multi-state regionally interconnected electricity market to improve grid resilience

CARSON CITY, May 31, 2021 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded the Nevada Assembly for passing Senate Bill 448* by a 32-10 vote following unanimous Senate approval on May 20. Demonstrating the bipartisan appeal of the new energy economy, this major bill will jumpstart investment in electric transportation infrastructure and require state utilities to join a regional transmission organization (RTO) by 2030, creating jobs and reducing energy costs for all Nevadans. The bill now heads back to the Senate for concurrence, and then will go to the Governor’s desk for signature. Its approval will drive significant short- and long-term economic development by spurring in-state critical energy infrastructure, renewable energy generation, and electric vehicle infrastructure projects. 

PV Mag outlined a California bill that would gut rooftop solar, citing AEE’s coalition letter opposing the measure. Read snippets below and the full story here. 

The bill would significantly cut net metering rates paid to rooftop solar customers, and also revise long-term rates and other protections that were promised to existing rooftop solar customers.

ACC moves clean energy rules forward with two new proposed amendments at its Wednesday Contingency Meeting

PHOENIX, May 26, 2021 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE)applauded the passage of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Energy Rules in the ACC’s Contingency Meeting.

The Virginia Pilot ran Virginia Advanced Energy Economy Director, Harry Godfrey’s opinion piece on Dominion’s exit from the PJM capacity market. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Earlier this year, America watched in shock as the Texas electrical grid all but collapsed in the midst of an historic winter storm. With power plants and pipelines hobbled by cold weather, Texans were left to huddle in their homes for days without light, heat and, in many cases, running water. Could that happen in Virginia?

Virginia Mercury outlined Dominion Energy's withdrawal from the regional capacity market, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis on Dominion’s exit. Read snippets below and the full story here. 

Citing a controversial federal order that made it difficult for renewables to compete against traditional fossil fuel power plants in regional electricity markets, Dominion Energy this spring withdrew all its Virginia resources from the regional capacity market run by PJM, which coordinates the electric grid in all or part of 13 states and Washington, D.C. 

Utility Dive summarized two CPUC grid proposals, quoting AEE's Noah Garcia on the state's power procurement. Read snippets below and the full article here.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has prepared two proposals for regulators to choose from to address the state's challenge of maintaining a reliable power grid after the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and a suite of natural gas facilities are retired in the coming years.

S&P Global outlined pending complaints against PJM’s capacity plan, referencing filed comments from AEE and AEBG. Read snippets below and the full story here.

A complaint seeking action that could invalidate PJM Interconnection's approval of Dominion Energy's decision to pull nearly 17 GW of resources and load from the capacity market will not be acted upon ahead of the long-awaited May 19 resumption of PJM's annual capacity auction, potentially throwing into question the finality of the upcoming auction's results.

Governor Newsom’s May budget revision doubles proposed funding to $3.2B for the state’s clean transportation programs, securing California’s role as a national leader in electrifying transportation. The revised budget also includes over $900 million to accelerate the state’s progress towards 100% clean energy.

SACRAMENTO, May 14, 2021 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) commended California Governor Gavin Newsom for his May budget revision, which increases proposed support for clean transportation and energy programs in the state. The proposed $3.2B clean transportation investments would focus dollars on a range of zero emission priorities including accelerating the transition of heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and school buses to zero emission, providing multi-year funding support for light-duty incentives for low-income households to afford a ZEV, and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure buildout statewide. The revised budget also includes support for growing and attracting additional ZEV manufacturing to the state, a significant growth opportunity for California. Finally, the budget strategically invests in a suite of activities to accelerate renewable and advanced energy development to promote resilience and reliability.

Crain’s Chicago Business highlighted Illinois’ growing EV manufacturing industry, citing jobs numbers from AEE’s Electrifying Illinois report. Read snippets below and the full story here (sub. req.). 

Public News Service detailed the state’s growing need for electric vehicles, quoting Virginia AEE’s Harry Godfrey on the benefits for Virginians. Read snippets below and the full story here. 

RICHMOND, Va. - As gas stations in Virginia wait for refueling after the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, advocates of electric vehicles say the gas shortage highlights the need to diversify America's energy system.

Senate Bill 448 calls for new investment in transportation electrification infrastructure and a multi-state regionally interconnected electricity market to improve grid resilience, reliability, and reduce energy costs.

CARSON CITY, May 13, 2021 — National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) urged Nevada lawmakers to support Senate Bill 448, which would jumpstart investment in electric transportation infrastructure and reduce energy costs for all Nevadans by requiring state utilities to join a regional transmission organization (RTO) by 2030. The bill also focuses more energy efficiency spending on low-income households to reduce energy costs and levels the playing field by creating tax parity for energy storage to complement the state’s renewable resources.  

Inside Climate Energy summarized the Arizona Corporation Commission vote against the state’s clean energy proposal, quoting AEE’s Shelby Stultz on consequence. Read snippets below the full article here.

An ambitious, bipartisan clean energy proposal stalls right before the finish line.

Virginia Mercury outlined Dominion Energy’s plans to comply with the VCEA, quoting Virginia AEE’s Harry Godfrey on compliance with the state’s renewable portfolio standard. Read snippets below and the full story here. 

State regulators’ blessing of Dominion Energy’s first annual plan for how it will meet the ambitious renewables targets set by the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act has sounded the starting bell of Virginia’s race to decarbonize its electric grid by midcentury.

Senate Bill 260 would provide comprehensive funding streams for Colorado to accelerate vehicle electrification and modernize the state’s transportation infrastructure.

DENVER, May 13, 2021 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) announced its support for Colorado’s comprehensive transportation funding legislation, Senate Bill 21-260*. Approved by the Senate Finance Committee and scheduled for a second Senate Appropriations Committee hearing and likely vote tomorrow, SB 260 calls for investing over $730 million over the next decade to accelerate Colorado’s zero-emission vehicle market.

Utility Dive outlined FERC’s request for clarity regarding the SEEM proposal, quoting AEE’s Jeff Dennis on the regulator’s questions. Read snippets below and the full story here.

Federal regulators sent Southeast utilities back to the drawing board last week on their proposal to develop a centralized energy exchange market. 

River Bender highlighted Senator Durbin’s speech on EV infrastructure in Illinois, citing industry job numbers from AEE’s Electrifying Illinois report. Read snippets below and the full story here.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to highlight the exciting progress in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Illinois. On the Senate floor, Durbin spoke about his recent visit to the Rivian plant in Normal, Illinois, ahead of the manufacturing facility beginning production of its inaugural line of electric trucks, SUVs, and delivery vans. Durbin emphasized that Rivian’s new plant, which was redeveloped from an idle Mitsubishi plant, is a viable blueprint for bringing manufacturing and vehicle infrastructure into the 21st century.

Approved by the Senate Education Committee today, Senate Bill S5268 offers incentives of up to 20% of cost and sales tax exemption, as well as longer lease terms, to school districts purchasing or leasing electric buses; the bill also allows state aid to be used for charging infrastructure costs.

ALBANY, May 11, 2021 — Today national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded action on a new bill to spur investment in electric school buses across New York State by providing reimbursement of school districts, on a graduated scale based on need, when they purchase or lease electric school buses. The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to pass SB S5268* out of committee.

The Pantagraph profiled a new electric vehicle manufacturing plant opening in Joliet, quoting AEE's Electrifying Illinois report on EV-related jobs. Read snippets below and the full article here. 

JOLIET — Another electric-vehicle maker is coming to Illinois, joining Rivian Automotive in a widening industry for the state. 

Utility Dive outlined Arizona regulators move to toss 100% clean energy mandates, quoting AEE’s Shelby Stults on the disappointment. Read snippets below and the full article here.

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted down its proposed clean energy rules at Wednesday's open meeting, ending a three-year collaborative process with broad stakeholder and utility support to transition the state's generation to 100% clean resources by 2050.

Canary Media summarized the Arizona Corporation Commission’s vote rejecting 100% clean energy rules, quoting AEE’s Shelby Stults on the outcome. Read snippets below and the full story here.

Arizona’s years-long effort to shift its electricity generation to entirely carbon-free sources hit a significant roadblock on Wednesday when state regulators voted against rules requiring 100 percent clean energy by midcentury.

S&P Global outlined Arizona regulators’ vote against 100% carbon-free electricity, quoting AEE’s Shelby Stults on the surprising outcome. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Despite strong support to completely wean Arizona's power sector off fossil fuels in coming decades, including from Arizona Public Service Co., the state's largest utility, state regulators late on May 5 shot down a sweeping proposal to reach 100% carbon-free electricity by midcentury.

ACC vote to reject rule to reach 100% clean energy by 2050, along with other utility reforms, comes after more than three years of stakeholder engagement and bipartisan cooperation, despite widespread support.

RTO Insider examined Dominion Energy’s plan for three solar projects, quoting Virginia AEE’s Harry Godfrey on the need for diverse least-cost resources to meet VCEA requirements. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Utility Request to Combine RPS and IRP Plans Rejected

The Virginia State Corporation Commission on April 30 gave Dominion Energy the go-ahead to spend $10.4 million to build three solar projects totaling 82 MW, saying the company had submitted a “reasonable and prudent” plan for complying with the renewable portfolio standards of Virginia’s landmark Clean Economy Act (VCEA).

S&P Global explored Biden’s first 100 days, quoting Leah Rubin Shen on why federal infrastructure investments should include grid enhancements. Read snippets below and iterations of the full article here and here.

Washington — While US President Joe Biden's first 100 days in office brought a flurry of executive actions, many pieces of his climate agenda, including key parts of his 10-year, $2 trillion infrastructure-focused American Jobs Plan, will require approval from Congress, where partisan divides and parliamentary procedures could determine the fate of those proposals.

E&E News outlined proceedings from a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission conference on electric vehicles, quoting AEE’s Jeff Dennis on how the commission can prepare. Read snippets below and the full story here.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission needs to prepare for a surge in electric vehicles that could transform the nation's power grid and increase electricity demand and costs.

Utility Dive outlined key takeaways from a FERC conference considering the challenges of electrification, quoting AEE’s Jeff Dennis on electricity load specifics. Read snippets below and the full story here.

The electrification of transportation, heating and other end uses necessary for the United States to meet its decarbonization goals will require the country to double its electricity load by 2050, panelists said Thursday at a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission technical conference. With that additional load will come opportunities, responsibilities and challenges, they said.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) outlined key lessons from COVID-19, citing AEE President Heather O’Neill on how the organization has adapted and attempted to maintain a positive workplace morale. Read snippets below and the full article here.

The COVID-19 crisis that disrupted life around the globe has brought into focus attributes that help individuals and organizations rebound from unexpected challenges...

The Pantagraph highlighted Rivian’s electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, citing jobs projections from AEE’s Electrifying Illinois report. Read snippets below and the full article here.

The region received another economic jolt in the arm Wednesday when it was announced that Heartland Community College will be home to a training academy focused on electric vehicles and energy storage.