News

Virginia Gov. Youngkin guts energy affordability measures passed by the General Assembly and plays politics with Virginia’s energy security 

RICHMOND, VA – Last night, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced poison pill amendments designed to gut several key pieces of legislation the General Assembly passed to bring down costs for Virginia families and businesses.

“Earlier this year, leaders in the General Assembly put forward impactful legislation to expand the role of homes and businesses in the clean energy transition and to allow these projects to help keep the lights on and lower energy bills. Virginia needs leaders who take the job of policymaking seriously and use the positions they have been entrusted with to address the challenges faced by their constituents and the Commonwealth as whole. Rather than taking the opportunity to lead by signing these bills into law, Governor Youngkin instead took the opportunity to engage in partisan politics,” said United Virginia Policy Lead and Legislative Director Jim Purekal. 

Budget included policies to accelerate clean energy deployment like Sales Tax Exemption for Commercial Energy Storage and Grid-Enhancing Technologies 

ALBANY, NY – Today, the New York State Legislature passed their 2026 budget, and cost-saving clean energy measures were front and center. Industry advocates applauded the FY2026 Executive Budget as a major step forward in supporting New York’s clean energy transition. The budget included, but was not limited to, funding for electric school buses, expanded residential solar tax credits, funding for geothermal, green affordable pre-electrification, aSales Tax Exemption for commercial energy storage systems, and support for Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and Advanced Conductors. 

Senate Bill 2455 would address the need for a more reliable, efficient electric grid

AUSTIN, TX – Texas is at a critical turning point, facing the challenge of balancing rising energy demand with the need for a more reliable and efficient electric grid. Although the state leads the nation in energy generation, we are encountering growing challenges in maintaining grid reliability amid unprecedented load growth. 

Clean energy advocates show support at the California Senate Energy Utilities and Communications Committee

SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee held an informational hearing on the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative. During the hearing, policymakers heard a broad range of perspectives from California stakeholderson the creation of a new regional organization to oversee energy market functions.   

House Bill 13, a bill that will modernize New Mexico’s energy distribution system, passed the House Floor

SANTA FE, NM—House Bill (HB) 13, also known as Power Up New Mexico, sponsored by Representative Hochman-Vigil, passed the House Floor today and now moves to the Senate.

House Bill 93, a bill designed to accelerate the transition to clean energy, reduce electricity congestion, and lower costs for consumers, passes the House and now moves to Senate

SANTA FE, NM—House Bill (HB) 93, also known as the Advanced Grid Technology Act, sponsored by Representative Kristina Ortez, passed the House Floor today. The bill now moves to the Senate. The bill lays a foundation for a stronger, more resilient, and more efficient electric grid.

SB 5995 aims to modernize the grid and lower costs for consumers  

ALBANY, NY – Today, New York Senator Leroy Comrie introduced legislation, Senate Bill 5995, to integrate New York’s gas and electric energy planning process and save consumers money – ensuring our utilities are making only the investments that are most cost-effective, forward-thinking, and aligned with the state’s clean energy goals. Under the bill, Public Service Commission (PSC) must establish an integrated energy system planning protocol that considers both gas and electric system investments together to preventwasteful and unnecessary spending, protect against over-or under-building, maximize efficiency, and ensure grid reliability at the lowest possible cost to ratepayers. 

LANSING, MI – Diverse stakeholders today announced the filing of a brief from industry organizations and multiple amicus curiae brief petitions in support of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s actions to implement Public Act 233 (PA 233), which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Whitmer as The Clean Energy and Jobs Act. The law, and the Commission’s actions, establish a careful balance to allow farmers to use their land for wind, solar, and storage projects while ensuring a thorough review of the projects.

The briefs – filed by a broad set of business groups, renewable energy advocates, labor organizations, legislators, and local landowners  – advocate for the full implementation of the permitting process under PA 233, emphasizing its crucial role in advancing Michigan’s clean energy future, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. 

Increased advanced power generation could deliver millions in tax revenue to local communities, bolster Hoosiers' energy independence, and keep costs down for consumers 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – A surge in economic development in Indiana is driving a growing need for electricity, and a new report shows solar power produced in-state would help meet this demand – but only if proposed projects are actually built. Indiana is a Midwest leader in attracting advanced manufacturing and technology-driven economic growth, and the report makes clear that advanced power resources such as solar could power the state’s bright future.  

The new report, from Baker Tilly, “Forecasting the Economic Impact Potential of Solar in Indiana,” shows expanding solar power generation in Indiana would drive millions in additional tax revenue to local communities to help pay for community and emergency services, all while creating new jobs, helping to lower energy costs and enabling the state to maintain its economic development momentum by meeting growing electricity demand.