Governor signs multiple Day 1 executive orders, directing development of a virtual power plant program, advancing siting and permitting reforms, and launching new clean energy solicitations
TRENTON, NJ – Today, Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a series of executive orders focused on affordability and clean energy deployment — among her first official actions as governor, issued during her inaugural address.
The executive orders include directing the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to commence development of a virtual power plant (VPP) program within 180 days to reduce peak demand by aggregating behind-the-meter distributed energy resources. The order further directs BPU to build on existing energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs, identify opportunities to increase competitiveness among third-party electricity suppliers that aggregate distributed energy resources, and assess operational and policy changes needed to enable aggregated resources to fully participate in PJM’s capacity market.
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Topics:
Press Releases,
New Jersey,
Virtual Power Plants,
Solar,
Battery Storage,
Katie Mettle
New legislation would allow solar, wind, and battery storage systems to plug in at existing power generating facilities and tap their underused interconnection capacity
Under updated PJM rules, Surplus Interconnection Services (SIS) allow new solar, wind, and battery storage systems to plug in at an existing power plant’s grid connections:
unlocking faster, lower-cost clean energy by using capacity that’s already built, already studied, and sitting idle, instead of waiting in PJM’s interconnection queue. In simple terms: if a fossil fuel power plant is approved to deliver 100 megawatts (MW) to Virginia’s grid, but typically only uses 50 MW, SIS can put the unused 50 MW to work by adding new clean energy and storage resources. At scale, these services could deliver another 2,000 MW (2 GW) of electricity onto the grid, enough to power one million homes in the Commonwealth.
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Topics:
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Jim Purekal,
Interconnection
Advanced Energy United applauds Gov. Hochul’s focus on affordability; urges strong leadership to meet New York’s long-term energy goals
ALBANY, NY –
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State makes one thing clear: New York is not waiting around. At a moment when energy costs are rising and federal leadership is uncertain, the Governor’s agenda for 2026 still advances a clean, reliable, and affordable energy future for New Yorkers
.
“
Advanced Energy United thanks Gov. Hochul for her commitment to New York’s clean energy transition,
” said
Kristina Persaud, New York Policy Lead at Advanced Energy United
. “We are optimistic about the Governor's plan to move on a suite of advanced energy solutions that are ready to go now that will keep the lights on while protecting consumers.”
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Topics:
Press Releases,
Electric Vehicles,
Kristina Persaud
The updated framework resolves the uncertainty caused by recent litigation over property tax assessments which threatened to increase prices
ALBANY, NY –
Gov. Kathy Hochul today signed into law legislation repealing New York’s “100-foot rule,” a long-standing requirement that had forced existing utility customers to pay $200 million a year to subsidize pipelines that do not serve them. This practice increased gas bills, crowded out cleaner, more cost-effective options, and increased the risk of future stranded assets.
“The administration's action today removes a hidden cost from utility bills and brings greater transparency to energy planning. By ending this
costly subsidy, this law will help protect New Yorkers and clear the way for more efficient heating alternatives,” said
Kristina Persaud, New York Policy Lead at Advanced Energy United
.
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Topics:
Press Releases,
Kristina Persaud,
Building Electrification
The updated framework resolves the uncertainty caused by recent litigation over property tax assessments which threatened to increase prices
ALBANY, NY –
Today, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed
S.8012 / A.8332
into law, restoring clear and consistent tax rules for large solar and wind projects greater than 1MW in New York. The law provides the predictability needed to keep project costs down, support local tax revenues, and maintain progress toward the state’s climate and reliability goals.
“Predictable taxation lowers costs—plain and simple,” said
Kristina Persaud, New York Policy Lead at Advanced Energy United
. “When developers know what to expect, they can bid more competitively, and those savings go straight to families and businesses through lower energy bills. This law delivers stability for communities, for investors, and for the state’s clean energy future.”
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Topics:
Press Releases,
Offshore Wind,
Kristina Persaud,
Solar
Decision by State Corporation Commission (SCC) to grant Dominion Energy a certificate for the Chesterfield gas-fired peaker plant is a step backward
RICHMOND, VA – The State Corporation Commission has approved Dominion Energy’s proposed Chesterfield peaker plant without conditions, advancing a project that will increase long-term costs for Virginia customers despite readily available, lower-cost alternatives that strengthen grid reliability.
“Virginians need low-cost energy, but this approval allows Dominion to move forward with one of the most expensive options on the table,” said
Shawn Kelly, Regulatory Director at Advanced Energy United
. “Utilities across the country are using proven tools like battery storage, demand flexibility, and modern grid management to meet peak needs at lower cost. This approval embraces
none
of these lower cost options.”
The Chesterfield project requires major upfront capital investment and decades of fuel and maintenance spending. Analyses presented in the proceeding showed that advanced energy technologies—already being deployed at scale in other states—can deliver peak capacity more affordably, reduce exposure to price volatility, and make better use of existing grid infrastructure.
“Approving a high-cost resource without fully evaluating commercially available alternatives shifts unnecessary risk onto ratepayers,”
added
Kelly
.
“Virginia needs planning decisions that maximize existing grid capacity, accelerate lower-cost technologies, and keep customer bills in check.”
Advanced Energy United, the national business association representing many of the leading solar, wind, storage, demand and distributed energy companies,
called on the SCC
in expert testimony to reject plans to build the new, expensive gas plant.
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Topics:
Utility,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly,
Integrated Resource Planning
Advanced Energy United congratulates the Governors-Elect of New Jersey and Virginia
WASHINGTON, DC – In a clear signal to policymakers nationwide, voters in Virginia and New Jersey have elected governors who ran on clean energy solutions to tackle rising costs and strengthen grid reliability. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill both centered energy affordability, reliability, and readily available clean energy solutions in their campaigns, and won.
“The results of both Governors races reflect that leaders who embrace clean energy as a path to lower bills, reliable power, and economic growth are being rewarded at the ballot box,” said
Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at Advanced Energy United
, an industry association representing many of the leading solar, wind, storage, demand, and distributed energy companies. “These elections send a clear message to every statehouse in America: clean energy wins.”
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Topics:
Virginia,
Press Releases,
New Jersey
With five commissioners set to serve, PURA will operate at an expanded capacity
HARTFORD, CT –
Today, Advanced Energy United congratulates Gov. Ned Lamont on his nominations of Janice Beecher, Holly Cheeseman, Everett Smith, and Thomas Wiehl to serve as commissioners of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and applauded his decision to designate Wiehl as chairperson.
“Governor Lamont’s nominees bring a strong mix of regulatory, consumer, and industry experience to PURA at a pivotal moment for Connecticut’s energy future,” said
Advanced Energy United Connecticut Policy Lead Kat Burnham.
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Topics:
Utility,
Regulatory,
Press Releases,
Kat Burnham
The Commission rejected Appalachian Power’s proposal, preserving Net Energy Metering for customer-owned solar
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Topics:
Utility,
Regulatory,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly,
Solar
The Garden State becomes latest to hold utilities accountable for decisions at PJM
TRENTON, NJ – Today, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation to shine a light on how New Jersey’s utilities vote at PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator serving the state. The new law, passed with broad bipartisan support, ensures state officials and the public have access to key information about utilities’ positions on decisions that directly affect electric rates and clean energy progress by requiring New Jersey utilities to report how they vote on matters before PJM, and to explain how those votes align with state policy.
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Topics:
Utility,
Wholesale Markets,
Press Releases,
New Jersey,
Katie Mettle
