State leaders now have a responsibility to act to protect residents from rising energy costs, job cuts
WASHINGTON, DC —
Advanced Energy United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill released the following statement following final passage of the reconciliation budget bill:
"America didn’t have an energy emergency before, but this legislation goes a long way towards creating one.
As state leaders assess the damage done by Congress with this budget bill, they will have a responsibility and urgent need to protect their residents from job losses, rising energy prices, and grid instability.
Even without support from the federal government, state leaders must take steps to ensure we keep the lights on and manage costs. With the right policy direction, governors, legislators, and regulators can take the lead on removing the barriers to building a better electric grid, and lowering costs to build and operate advanced energy. To unlock new development, policymakers can make it easier and more financially enticing for consumers to switch to more resilient energy solutions at their homes and businesses, they can speed up timelines for new energy infrastructure projects by fixing antiquated siting and permitting rules, and they can put more technology solutions to work with much needed changes to energy market regulations.
Despite the setback on Capitol Hill, the advanced energy industry will endure, creating good jobs, investing in communities, and producing the affordable, abundant, and reliable power America needs now. United will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as the Trump Administration, where they seek to unlock advanced energy. At the same time, we will persist in combating efforts to undercut our technologies, jobs, and investments. Our industry is keeping the lights on today across the country and will carry on innovating and investing in America’s energy future."
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Click here to learn more about Advanced Energy United's work advocating for federal policies that allow advanced energy and electrified transportation businesses to thrive in America.
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Topics:
Press Releases,
Heather O'Neill,
Federal Priorities
Utility Dive reports that California Gov. Newsom approved a $321 billion state budget that cut about $18 million in previously allocated grid reliability programs and deferred future funding decisions, leaving them in limbo as heat waves strain the grid and federal support is cut back. United''s Edson Perez says the state cannot keep deferring on tough decisions and that programs like the Demand Side Grid Support and Distributed Electricity Backup Assets should be stregthened and not scaled back.
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Topics:
United In The News,
California,
Edson Perez
In an opinion piece for the Virginia Mercury, United's Jim Purekal underscores the importance of federal tax credits in modernizing Hampton Roads' energy systems, lowering electricity costs for residents, and bolstering energy security across the region. He calls on policymakers to safeguard these incentives going forward, which are essential to developing advanced energy projects and maintaining an affordable, reliable, and secure energy future for Virginians.
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Topics:
Virginia,
United In The News,
Offshore Wind,
Jim Purekal
Engineering News-Record reports that California is set to become home to the world's largest solar-plus-storage project, as Intersect Power's Darden project moves forward. United's Brian Turner says that projects like Darden help build a more reliable, affordable, and resilient grid by delivering clean power day and night.
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Topics:
United In The News,
California,
Brian Turner
Albuquerque Business First reports on the U.S. Senate passing H.R.1, which would phase out clean energy tax credits. United's Harry Godfrey and Micahel Barrio warn that this will slow advanced energy development in New Mexico and will be a serious setback for consumers and businesses.
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Topics:
United In The News,
New Mexico,
Harrison Godfrey,
Michael Barrio
Budget bill will drive up energy prices, with thousands of energy jobs hanging in the balance
WASHINGTON, DC — Following the passage of H.R. 1 by the U.S. Senate, Advanced Energy United President and CEO Heather O'Neill released the following statement:
"This bill will hit Americans hard, terminating credits that have helped families lower their energy and transportation costs, shrinking demand for American-made advanced energy technologies, and squeezing new domestic energy production at a time of rising demand and prices. While Senators have addressed some of the worst provisions from earlier versions – including the ill-conceived excise tax – a number of punitive measures remain. The advanced energy industry will endure, but the downstream effects of these rollbacks and punitive policies will be felt by American families and businesses for years to come.
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Topics:
Press Releases,
Heather O'Neill,
Federal Priorities
Celebrating the progress Virginia has made, and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring the full promise of the VCEA is realized in the years ahead
RICHMOND, VA – Today marks the five-year anniversary of the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), the historic legislation that set the Commonwealth on a path toward 100% clean energy.
“The VCEA was a turning point for Virginia’s economy,” said
Jim Purekal, Director at Advanced Energy United. “Five years ago, United helped rally a diverse coalition of energy innovators, business voices, and environmental advocates to support this legislation. Because everyone knew clean energy was the smartest investment the Commonwealth could make in its future. Today, we’re seeing the benefits: new jobs and new industries, all here in Virginia.”
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Topics:
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Jim Purekal
PV Magazine reports on Infocast's 2025 Transmission and Interconnection Summit, highlighting several panelists, including United's Caitlin Marquis, who discussed strategies to overcome interconnection delays, such as utilizing grid automation tools and improving transmission planning.
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Topics:
United In The News,
Caitlin Marquis,
Transmission,
Interconnection
Dominion Energy's recent plan to meet increased load growth ignores Virginia's 2045 mandate—established under the Virginia Clean Economy Act—to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity. United's Shawn Kelly spoke with Canary Media about the plan, noting that it limits the usage of proven, cost-effective advanced energy technologies (including wind, solar, demand response, and virtual power plants) to meet growing demand within the state.
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Topics:
Virginia,
United In The News,
Shawn Kelly
In an op-ed for Cardinal News, United's Morgan Pinnell discusses the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which has catalyzed tremendous economic and environmental benefits throughout the state. Looking ahead, she calls for renewed leadership to streamline interconnection, permitting, and efficiency efforts in order to scale up renewable deployment and keep Virginia on track toward its clean energy goals.
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Topics:
State Policy,
Virginia,
United In The News,
Morgan Pinnell
The Texas Tribune reports on the Senate's passage of the GOP reconciliation bill, which was backed by Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. United's Harry Godfrey talked with reporters about the Senate's version of the bill and how it threatens private investment, job growth, and energy prices in Texas.
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Topics:
United In The News,
Texas,
Harrison Godfrey,
Federal Priorities
