News

Canary Media reports that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a series of virtual power plant bills, AB 44, AB 740, and SB 541, despite strong bipartisan support in the California legislature. The article quotes United's Edson Perez, who said this was a huge missed opportunity to tap the value of rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs that could cut costs and boost grid reliability.

Canary Media reports on the passage of AB 825, the Pathways bill, which was signed into law as part of a major climate-and-energy legislative package. AB 825 will allow California to join with the West in creating a regional day-ahead energy market. The article quotes United's Brian Turner, who called the bill a "starting gun" for a Western energy market that will lower costs, strengthen the grid, and protect California's authority. 

Canary Media reports that Assembly Bills 740 and 44 continue to advance with provisions to expand virtual power plant programs in California, while last-minute amendments stripped away key provisions from Senate Bill 541. United's Edson Perez warned that California can’t afford to sideline tools that make the grid cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable. 

Canary Media reports on the potential funding cuts to California's Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) virtual power plant (VPP) program, which has proven highly cost-effective and reduces reliance on fossil-fueled power plants. United's Edson Perez stated that VPPs are vital for the state to enhance grid reliability, increase affordability, and meet rising load growth.

In an article for Canary Media, United's Jon Gordon discusses PJM Interconnection's annual capacity auction results, emphasizing that slow interconnection processes and insufficient energy generation buildout are hindering advanced energy projects that could reduce grid strain and lower costs for ratepayers in the PJM states.

Following the final passage of H.R.1, clean energy tax credits for battery, geothermal, nuclear, and manufacturing remain in place, but are now hamstrung by new "foreign entities of concern" (FEOC) rules. United's Harry Godfrey spoke with Canary Media about the potential disruption of these rules for clean energy projects, urging the Administration to provide clear compliance guidelines for developers.

Canary Media reports on the Senate's version of the Budget Bill, which, in its current form, targets renewable energy projects with punitive tax measures. United's Harry Godfrey spoke to the enormous threat the bill poses to energy affordability, private investments in advanced energy projects, and American energy independence. 

Canary Media reports on California's Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, facing over $100 million in proposed budget cuts, putting the future of virtual power plants at risk. United's Edson Perez cautioned that repeated funding cuts undermines California's efforts to keep the lights on during grid emergencies. 

Canary Media reports on the proposed restrictions in the House Republicans' tax bill that could gut clean energy tax credits and put hundreds of billions of dollars in investment at risk. United's Harry Godfrey cautioned that the bill's "fundamentally unworkable" rules would create uncertainty, deterring investors, halting projects, and derailing domestic clean energy growth. 

To address potential electricity shortages, PJM Interconnection has proposed measures to expedite the development of new power plants in order to enhance grid reliability. Canary Media spoke with clean energy advocates, including United's Caitlin Marquis, who argued that reforming current interconnection processes and investing in grid expansion could facilitate the integration of advanced energy solutions to meet electricity demand while supporting decarbonization goals.