One step closer to advancing Western integration
Today, national business association Advanced Energy United applauds NV Energy’s signal of intent to join the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) extended day-ahead market (EDAM), recognizing the several benefits of joining a unified regional electricity market in the West. NV Energy becomes the sixth market participant to indicate it intends to join EDAM.
Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
California Lawmakers vote to cut funding for programs that help avoid blackouts
SACRAMENTO, CA — The Senate Budget Subcommittee 2 and the Assembly Budget Committee approved funding cuts to the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) and Distributed Electricity Backup Assets (DEBA) proposed in Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Revise.
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
Advocates look forward to building a stronger, cleaner energy landscape in the Great Lakes State
LANSING, MI - Advanced energy industry groups, including the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), Clean Grid Alliance (CGA), American Clean Power Association (ACP), and Advanced Energy United (United) today applauded Michiganders’ continued support for recent laws that will bring even more benefits to the state from renewable energy, including new income for local governments and lowered electricity costs.
Topics: Press Releases, Michigan, Trish Demeter
Advanced Energy United applauds the legislation that now heads to Gov. Pritzker’s desk
SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Legislature this week voted to create a new incentive program for electric fleet vehicles, such as delivery trucks and school buses. House Bill 4196, sponsored by Representative Martin J. Moylan and Senator Ram Villivalam, establishes the first-in-the-Midwest program to help small businesses, school districts and public fleet owners overcome economic barriers to purchase electric vehicles, which can have higher upfront costs but significantly lower lifetime costs to own and operate.
Topics: Press Releases, Electric Vehicles, Electric school buses, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar
White House and DOE announcement will help support deployment of GETs
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the White House and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative aimed at bolstering America’s power grid by using tools like grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and doing advanced reconductoring. Joining the Initiative are 21 inaugural states that have agreed to partner with the federal government to speed improvements to the power system.
“At a moment when our electric grid has been neglected, and the demand for energy is on the rise, we must make immediate grid upgrades while we also plan for more long-range transmission lines,” said Verna Mandez, Director of Transmission at Advanced Energy United. “There’s a whole suite of proven, reliable, and cost-effective technological innovations able to make our electric grids do more with less. If we don’t use these proven technologies right away, consumers will be left paying more for a less reliable energy system.”
Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Transmission, Verna Mandez
Virginia Mercury reports on the prevalence of data centers that support artificial intelligence in Virginia quoting United's Kim Jemaine on the importance of grid-enhancing technologies to support the increase in power demand that data centers generate.
Topics: State Policy, Virginia, United In The News, Kim Jemaine
Energy News Network reports on the growing gap between Virginia and its neighbors in clean energy manufacturing, quoting United's Kim Jemaine on the unlikelihood that Governor Youngkin will be able to support Virginia in catching up to other states in the Southeast.
Topics: State Policy, Virginia, United In The News, Kim Jemaine
Advanced Energy United calls on industry to stop dragging its feet and embrace more cost-efficient and reliable advanced energy solutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a petition was filed in federal court against the recently finalized U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulations for existing coal-fired power plants and new gas plants. National business association Advanced Energy United expressed support for the regulations when they were announced in April, and today urged against industry litigation and instead called for the embrace of cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable solutions for powering the electric grid.
Topics: Federal Policy, EPA GHG Regs, Press Releases, Heather O'Neill
In an opinion column featured in The Colorado Sun, United's Emilie Olson advocates for Colorado Governor Jared Polis to sign Senate Bill 218, which would require state electric utilities to proactively and strategically invest in distribution grid updates and connect communities to clean energy efficiently and transparently.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Colorado
In an opinion piece in City & State New York, United’s Kristina Persaud supports the passage of New York’s Build to Need legislation (S.9113), which aims to expedite and improve the planning and implementation of grid infrastructure upgrades in New York to support the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.
Topics: State Policy, Advanced Transportation, United In The News, New York
AB 1999 passes the California Assembly Committee on Utilities & Energy.
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, the California Assembly Committee on Utilities & Energy passed Assemblymember Irwin’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1999, marking a significant victory for consumer protection and clean energy progress. This crucial bill now moves forward to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and we urge lawmakers to continue supporting it to protect Californians from exorbitant fixed charges.
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
In an opinion piece featured in Indiana Capitol Chronicle, United's Caryl Auslander writes that Indiana is at a crossroads: to power the state with forward-looking advanced energy technologies or cling to inefficient, costly coal.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Indiana
Associated Press reports on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)'s approval of rules aimed at improving long-term regional planning for high-voltage interstate electric transmission lines. The article quotes United President and CEO Heather O'Neill, who voiced support for the rulemaking and emphasized the need for the buildout of more multi-state transmission lines to keep up with our growing energy needs.
Topics: Wholesale Markets, United In The News, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission
FERC Order No. 1920 will improve transmission planning and make it easier for states to improve their transmission grid
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to approve new rules aimed at improving long-term regional planning for high-voltage interstate electric transmission lines.
“Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities’ and grid operators’ failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs,” said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at national business association Advanced Energy United. "Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on America’s electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. This FERC Order sends the message that transmission planning needs to change, and recognizes that states deserve a central role in ensuring a reliable electric grid built for the future.”
Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Caitlin Marquis, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission
Further commitments are needed to ensure GGRF funds are spent on critical programs
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the May Revision to his 2024-2025 budget proposal, which maintains most of its multi-year commitments to critical clean energy programs, including the Distributed Electricity Backup Assets (DEBA) Program, and clean transportation programs, including those related to zero-emission school buses and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, through shifts to Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
The New York Times reports on the California Public Utilities Commission's approval of a monthly fixed fee that will be added to customers’ monthly utility bills. Quoted in the article, United's Edson Perez spoke out against the fixed charge, emphasizing that the policy will negatively impact California’s electrification efforts and discourage investments in energy efficiency and distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar and battery storage.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, California, Edson Perez, Building Decarbonization
E&E News reports on the passage of legislation in Colorado that, if signed into law, would help to modernize the state's electric grid and compel Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest electric utility, to make upgrades to the distribution system. In the article, United's Emilie Olson commends Colorado lawmakers for their support of the bill's holistic approach in addressing distribution system needs while aligning with the state's goals for decarbonization.
Topics: State Policy, Advanced Transportation, United In The News, Colorado, Emilie Olson, Building Decarbonization
RTO Insider highlights Advanced Energy United's recently released report on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) electrification and outlines conversations held during its May 7 webinar that examined the report's findings.
POLITICO Pro reports on the California Public Utilities Commission imposing a monthly $24 charge on electricity bills. The article quotes United's Edson Perez, calling the decision "another blow to California’s clean energy goal."
Topics: United In The News, California, Edson Perez
CPUC approves a $24 fixed fee for utility customers’ monthly electricity bill
SACRAMENTO, CA—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a monthly fixed fee that will be added to customers’ monthly utility bills. This fee is a result of a 2022 bill, Assembly Bill 205, thatdirected the CPUC to add a fixed charge to utility bills based on household income in exchange for lowering volumetric rates.The approved plan willadd a fixed charge of $24.15 to monthly utility bills (reduced to $12 or $6 for lower-income customers).
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
Pennsylvania news station CBS 21 discusses the increased demand that the growing number of electric vehicles is placing on the state's power grid. In a video interview, United's Nick Bibby states that proactive upgrades need to be made soon to avoid costly improvements in the future.
Topics: United In The News, Pennsylvania, Electric Vehicles, Nick Bibby
A lack of electric transmission is harming or may soon harm households and businesses across the country
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a preliminary list of 10 potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) to accelerate the development of transmission projects in areas that have an urgent need for expanded transmission. DOE is now seeking public input on the process.
“As America’s energy needs grow, the backbone of the energy system needs to grow with it,” said Verna Mandez, Director of Advanced Energy United’s transmission program. “Transmission is how we get affordable electricity from where it’s made to where it’s needed so we can keep the lights on and lower energy bills.”
Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Transmission, Verna Mandez
Senate Bill 24-218, a bill that will modernize Colorado’s energy distribution system, passed the House Floor and now awaits the Governor's signature
DENVER, CO— Groundbreaking legislation, Senate Bill 24-218, sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg, Senator Chris Hansen, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, and Representative Kyle Brown, garnered significant support on the House Floor and passed the legislature. The bill now moves to Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s desk for signature.
Topics: Press Releases, Colorado, Emilie Olson
The Colorado Sun reports on new legislation, Senate Bill 24-218, introduced that would modernize the state's distribution system. The article quotes United's Emilie Olson on the state of the current distribution grid and how upgrades are crucial to powering more generation.
Topics: United In The News, Colorado, Emilie Olson