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RTO Insider: EPA Issues Final Standards on Heavy-duty Truck Emissions

Posted by K Kaufman on Mar 31, 2024

RTO Insider reports on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final standards on heavy-duty truck emissions in the U.S. The article quoted United's Ryan Gallentine on the certainty the standards provide for truckmakers and fleet operators looking to move forward with vehicle and fleet electrification.

The final standards for greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty trucks, issued by EPA on March 29, attempt to strike a balance between environmental concerns about diesel fumes the trucks spew into the air and the economic and physical logistics of building out a zero-emission fleet and charging network.  

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Topics: EPA GHG Regs, United In The News, Electric Vehicles, Ryan Gallentine

New U.S. EPA Emissions Standards for Trucks and Buses Delivers Regulatory Certainty for Switch to Electrified Transportation

Posted by Adam Winer on Mar 29, 2024

New regulations will provide advantages for businesses that adopt electric vehicle fleets

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. from 2027 to 2032, providing regulatory certainty for automotive and charging industries, and private and public fleet operators, charting a path to less harmful emissions by growing electrified transportation fleets. 

“In providing nationwide certainty that America is switching to electric trucks and buses, these industries can now invest confidently in an all-electric transportation future,” said Ryan Gallentine, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of companies providing clean energy and transportation solutions in America. “Many of these models are already more cost-effective than combustion engine alternatives when fuel costs and tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act are factored in, offering U.S. businesses and freight providers that convert their fleet new savings and operational advantages.” 

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Topics: Advanced Transportation, Press Releases, Ryan Gallentine

Advanced Energy United Looks Forward to Strong Competition in Offshore Wind Solicitation

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Mar 27, 2024

Anticipation builds for the latest round of offshore wind solicitation in New England 

BOSTON, MA – The southern New England states are poised to receive a robust set of competitive proposals from offshore wind developers in the upcoming offshore wind solicitation spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. In addition to the unique three-state collaboration, the recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury should provide this round of bidding with an abundance of options to deliver clean energy solutions, foster economic development, and secure savings for utility ratepayers. 

"This solicitation marks a significant step towards revitalizing offshore wind projects in the United States,” stated Jeremy McDiarmid, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United. “We anticipate a highly competitive landscape, with established developers vying to contribute innovative solutions to meet New England’s energy needs.”  

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Topics: Press Releases, Offshore Wind, Massachusetts, Jeremy McDiarmid, New England, Connecticut

The Albuquerque Journal: Geothermal Advancements, Incentives Could Help NM Meet Renewable Energy Goals

Posted by Megan Gleason on Mar 26, 2024

The Albuquerque Journal reports on advancements in geothermal. The article quotes United's Michael Barrio on what a successful energy transition looks like and how the passage of geothermal legislation will help the state in its renewable energy transition. 

About 75 years ago in Animas, irrigators were drilling wells when they stumbled upon extremely hot water naturally bubbling up out of the ground. Little did they know, they had tapped into geothermal energy resources. The spot would later become the location of the Lightning Dock geothermal power plant — New Mexico’s first utility-scale geothermal power plant.

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Topics: United In The News, New Mexico, Michael Barrio

Two New Entities Commit to CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market

Posted by Caroline Grace on Mar 21, 2024

New market approval continues forward momentum for RTO development in the West

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, national business association Advanced Energy United applauded the commitment of Portland General Electric and Idaho Power to join the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) extended day-ahead market (EDAM), an electricity market poised to deliver enhanced reliability, economic, and environmental benefits to utilities and communities through the West when it begins in 2026.

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Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California

RTO Insider: Panel Connects Clean Energy Transition to Boston’s Big Dig

Posted by Jon Lamson on Mar 21, 2024

RTO Insider reports on Advanced Energy United's recent Boston-area event, moderated by United's Laura Bartsch, about the need to overcome challenges on the path to meeting the country's clean energy infrastructure needs, quoting United's Jeremy McDiarmid on the importance of getting people to see the big picture perspective.

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Topics: United In The News, Manufacturing and Infrastructure, Transmission, Massachusetts, Jeremy McDiarmid

Advanced Energy United Urges Senate to Ensure Full Contingent at FERC

Posted by Adam Winer on Mar 20, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC – National business association Advanced Energy United released the following statement of support prior to the commencement of Confirmation Hearings for nominees David Rosner, Judy Chang, and Lindsay See to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

"FERC plays an essential role ensuring that the U.S. has an affordable and reliable energy system, which is especially critical as we swiftly transition toward a 100 percent advanced energy economy,” said Caitlin Marquis, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United. "FERC is most capable of deliberating on the vital and complex issues before it when it has a full contingent of Commissioners. As such, we welcome the work of this committee and the Senate as a whole to swiftly consider these nominations from President Biden."

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Topics: Federal Policy, Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Caitlin Marquis, FERC

New tailpipe emissions standards set industry floor for transition to electric vehicles

Posted by Adam Winer on Mar 20, 2024

New U.S. EPA targets provide the certainty industry needs to accelerate transition to EVs

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced new tailpipe emissions standards for light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. from 2027 to 2032, providing regulatory certainty for the auto industry on the path ahead and flexibility for automakers on how to reach the end goal of a fully electrified consumer transportation fleet. 

“As we experience increasingly widespread adoption of technologically superior and increasingly popular electric vehicle models, these standards provide clarity and market certainty on the timeframe,” said Ryan Gallentine, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of companies providing clean energy and transportation solutions in America. “Nearly every automaker sees that to keep up with changing consumer interests and global technology trends a quick switch to electric vehicles is in order. As many states raise the ceiling for what’s expected, these federal standards set an industry floor for that transition so that all consumers can have access to reliable, affordable, all-electric vehicles in the coming decade.”

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Topics: Advanced Transportation, Press Releases, Ryan Gallentine

Indiana to Incorporate Total Cost of Ownership Analysis when Purchasing New State Vehicles

Posted by Rory Coleman on Mar 14, 2024

The newly passed law, HEA 1194, is predicted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by factoring lifetime operating costs into state vehicle purchases

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Holcomb signed into law yesterday a bill requiring the Indiana Department of Administration to apply a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis when purchasing new light-duty vehicles for their state fleet. TCO considers differences in the average cost of fueling and maintaining vehicles, allowing the state to generate significant savings over the lifespan of a vehicle compared to vehicle purchases based on sticker price alone.

Indiana joins states like Nevada and Virginia in applying this good governance measure, which a report last year from national business association Advanced Energy United found could save Indiana $62.4 million over 15 years.

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Topics: Press Releases, Indiana, Electric Vehicles, Trish Demeter

The New York Times: A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals

Posted by Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich on Mar 14, 2024

The New York Times reports on a recent boom in electricity demand in the U.S. that is putting pressure on conventional gas power plants, quoting United's CEO and President Heather O'Neill on the variety of options available for utilities to meet rising demand.

Critics say that regulated utilities often default to building gas plants because it’s a familiar technology and because, in many states, they earn a guaranteed profit from capital projects. They don’t always have the same incentive to adopt energy-efficiency programs that reduce sales or to plan transmission lines that can import cheaper wind power from elsewhere.

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Topics: United In The News, Energy Efficiency, New York, Heather O'Neill

Clean Energy Business Associations Applaud Gov. Shapiro’s Proposal for 35% Clean Energy by 2035

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Mar 13, 2024

Industry associations and advocates believe new energy standards will bring jobs and investment to the Keystone State 

HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced a proposal to ensure the Commonwealth generates 35% of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2035, via the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS). Clean energy industry advocacy and trade associations Advanced Energy United, MAREC Action, Pennsylvania Solar Center, Pennsylvania Solar & Storage Industries Association, and the American Clean Power Association applauded the proposal, which will help maximize clean energy growth. 

“Gov. Shapiro’s proposal should help jump start conversations in Harrisburg about how best to bring clean energy’s massive economic and jobs benefits to Pennsylvania,” said Nick Bibby, Pennsylvania State Lead for Advanced Energy United. “Advanced Energy United applauds Gov. Shapiro for issuing his proposal, and we look forward to working with his administration and legislators to ensure Pennsylvania enacts a policy that works for deploying clean energy in the Commonwealth.” 

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Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, Pennsylvania, Nick Bibby

Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Shapiro Pitches Carbon Cap-And-Invest Plan To Capitalize on Pennsylvania’s Energy Exports

Posted by Peter Hall on Mar 13, 2024

Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports on Governor Shapiro's new climate emissions reduction plan, quoting United's Nick Bibby on the proposal's potential to bring more of the economic and jobs benefits of clean energy to the state.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said he would immediately pull Pennsylvania out of a multi-state carbon cap-and-trade program if the state Legislature passes his energy plan, which he said Wednesday would reduce carbon emissions while lowering energy costs and creating clean energy jobs.

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Topics: United In The News, Pennsylvania, Nick Bibby

NJ Spotlight News: Op-Ed: The steps needed to get offshore wind back on track in 2024

Posted by Heather O'Neill on Mar 13, 2024

In an opinion piece featured in NJ Spotlight News, United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill writes about the storm of challenges the offshore wind industry faced in the last few post-pandemic year and highlights four key steps to getting the industry back to full power.

After a turbulent 2023, the new year brought some welcome news for the offshore wind industry. Power started to flow from New York’s South Fork Wind and Massachusetts’ Vineyard Wind soon followed suit, meaning that America’s first large-scale projects are now sending clean electricity to its shores for the first time. Meanwhile in New Jersey, the state granted two offshore wind solicitation awards in January, totaling 3,742 megawatts of capacity, enough to power 1.8 million homes when fully operational. 

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Topics: United In The News, New York, Heather O'Neill, Offshore Wind, Massachusetts, New Jersey

Maryland Matters: Gridlock or grid upgrade? Legislation aims to address grid readiness

Posted by Nick Bibby on Mar 11, 2024

In an opinion piece featured in Maryland Matters, United's Nick Bibby speaks to legislation requiring Maryland’s Public Service Commission and utilities do more toward getting the grid ready to handle the influx of EVs and building electrification. 

Would you be surprised if I told you that the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in Maryland increased by over 3,000% since 2013? EVs are continuing their upward trend in Maryland and around the U.S., marking a record 12% market share in December alone. But with all these new EVs in our state and country, how are we preparing our grid for the needed power?

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Topics: United In The News, Electric Vehicles, Nick Bibby

Advanced Energy United response to the State of the Union Address

Posted by Adam Winer on Mar 8, 2024

National business association Advanced Energy United calls on Congress and the States to build on momentum towards a 100 percent clean energy future 

WASHINGTON, DC – Advanced Energy United released the following statement from its President and CEO Heather O’Neill after President Biden delivered the annual State of the Union address:

“We must harness the incredible power of advanced energy technologies to reduce harmful emissions while also lowering energy costs, creating economic opportunity for Americans in all states, and building an energy system we can rely on. As witnessed in recent events across the country, our aging, fossil-fueled electricity system is leaving households and businesses vulnerable to outages. We can fix this by updating our energy infrastructure and doubling down on clean energy and storage investments. The longer we wait, the harder and more expensive this work becomes, jeopardizing more lives and the economic well-being of local businesses and economies.

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Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Manufacturing, Manufacturing and Infrastructure

WVTF: Virginia's regional grid operator ranks last in the nation

Posted by Sandy Hausman on Mar 4, 2024

In an interview, WVTF Virginia Public Radio talks with Advanced Energy United Director Jon Gordon about PJM's low grade on United's 2024 Interconnection Scorecards.

Advanced Energy United... recently ranked all seven of the nation’s regional grid operators and gave the one serving Virginia a grade of D-minus. Policy Director Jon Gordon says PJM – which covers 13 states – used to add a few new power plants a year.

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Transmission, Jon Gordon

Utility Dive: Gas utility planning processes should be more like their electric utility counterparts

Posted by Sarah Steinberg and Brad Cebulko on Mar 4, 2024

In an opinion piece featured in Utility Dive, United's Sarah Steinberg and United member company Strategen's Brad Cebulko speak to the outdated gas planning process that allows infrastructure spending to go largely unvetted. The piece highlights a recent  report , authored by Strategen and United, that provides guidance for states looking to improve transparency into or oversight of gas utilities.
 

In business, the only constant is disruption and change. We’ve seen this truth manifest across all industries, from telecommunications to retail to computing and manufacturing. The energy industry is no exception. Both gas and electric energy systems are becoming increasingly complex, with more dynamic supply and demand-side market forces instigating a profound evolution in how our power is sourced, priced and delivered. Change has come quicker to the electric side, but recently we have begun to see how the gas delivery system used to heat and cool homes and businesses is primed for change, and it should challenge the business-as-usual strategies currently used to regulate these essential services for ratepayers across the country.

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Topics: United In The News, Energy Efficiency, Building Decarbonization

Legislation to Help Keep the Lights on in Virginia Passes General Assembly

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Mar 1, 2024

H.B. 862, a bill to advance grid-enhancing technologies, passed out of the General Assembly on Thursday and now heads to the governor’s desk

RICHMOND, VA – A bill that will help Virginia’s electric transmission grid be more efficient and help keep the lights on passed the Virginia General Assembly on Thursday.  

H.B. 862, proposed by Del. Phil Hernandez and endorsed by national business association Advanced Energy United, will improve grid reliability and increase the capacity of the existing grid to keep up with the Commonwealth’s growing energy needs. The bill requires that electric utilities in the state consider grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), a suite of technological upgrades that could add 30-40% more capacity to the current grid and save the Commonwealth money on grid congestion costs, in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process. 

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Topics: State Policy, Virginia, Press Releases, Kim Jemaine, Transmission

NV Energy’s Bait-and-Switch Plan Approved by PUCN

Posted by Caroline Grace on Mar 1, 2024

Advanced Energy United expresses disappointment in Nevada’s latest IRP amendment to move forward with natural gas plant, a missed opportunity for clean energy 

LAS VEGAS, NV —National business association Advanced Energy United (United) expressed disappointment todaywith the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUCN) decision to approve NV Energy’s Fifth Amendment to its 2021 integrated resource plan (IRP). The decision allows NV Energy to backtrack on plans to retire existing coal and gas plants in Northern Nevada. Instead of replacing them with clean energy as they proposed in 2021, NV Energy candoubledown on these plants for decades longer at a direct cost to ratepayers of at least $100 million, and hundreds of millions more per year in imported fuel costs. 

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Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, Nevada, Brian Turner

Utility Dive: Nevada regulators set to approve NV Energy’s $2B IRP amendment, including new gas resources

Posted by Robert Walton on Mar 1, 2024

In an interview, Utility Dive talks with Advanced Energy United Director Brian Turner on how the Nevada PUC is set to approve NV Energy's 5th Amendment to its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan. 
 

Nevada regulators could vote today to approve about $2 billion in spending for NV Energy, including new gas, solar and battery resources which critics say should have received more scrutiny and could have been cheaper.

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Topics: Regulatory, United In The News, Nevada, Brian Turner