News

Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 4120) that would establish a basic virtual power plant (VPP) program and require the state's two largest utilities to propose their own VPP programs by 2027. United's Samarth Medakkar spoke to the benefits of VPPs in lowering electricity costs and reducing strain on the grid during times of peak demand.

Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are pushing to pass legislation that would jumpstart large-scale battery storage deployment to meet the state's clean energy goals and growing energy demand. United's Samarth Medakkar called on state legislators to swiftly pass the proposed bills, emphasizing that prompt action would enable Illinois to procure energy storage projects—enhancing grid reliability, stimulating economic growth, and lowering electricity costs for consumers.

With increasing data-center buildout, utilities are making massive natural gas investments in southeastern Wisconsin, raising objections from customer and climate advocates. Canary Media discusses Wisconsin Electric Power Co.'s request for new gas plants with advanced energy experts, including United's Emma Heins, who explains why the utility should explore clean energy solutions to meet growing energy demand.

Energy News Network reports on a case dismissed by the Wisconsin appeals court involving a family's attempt to utilize third-party solar ownership. United's John Albers hoped that the case would clarify the uncertainty in Wisconsin and empower other families to embrace solar.

Energy News Network covered advanced energy's role in revitalizing economies after the pandemic, featuring AEE's Illinois jobs data example, quoting AEE's Daniel Bloom. Read excerpts below and the entire Energy News Network piece here. 

Advanced energy — including energy efficiency and renewable power  — provide far more jobs than hotels and motels or the retail industry, according to a recent analysis by the business group Advanced Energy Economy.

Energy News Network reported on Indiana's HB 1414 which strives to delay coal power plant closures, including comments by AEE's Caryl Auslander. Read excerpts below and the entire Energy News Network piece here. 

An Indiana bill moving through the legislature would place unprecedented new burdens on utilities before they could close coal-fired power plants. But under amendments proposed in the past week, it’s unclear if the bill would have any impact at all on utility resource planning. That is not necessarily a relief to clean energy advocates, citizens groups, industrial customers and others who oppose it. Rather, it makes some worry that the bill is a “Trojan Horse,” in the words of Citizens Action Coalition executive director Kerwin Olson, that could become more insidious with revisions after it is passed, namely the removable of a July 2021 sunset provision currently in the bill.

This Midwest Energy News article notes how the Illinois Commerce Commission is exploring how to prepare for the growth and impact of electric vehicles in the coming years. The article draws heavily from AEE’s recently released issue brief, EVs 101 — A Regulatory Plan for America’s Electric Transportation Future. Read our full issue brief here. Link to full Midwest Energy News article here.