Axios Generate spoke with Heather O'Neill about Advanced Energy United's rebrand and advocacy goals for 2023. Read the interview below and the full article here.  

A key advocacy group for low-carbon energy companies will today announce a rebranding and expansion into more states, Ben writes.

Driving the news: Advanced Energy Economy is becoming Advanced Energy United as the group widens its scope to include more northeastern and western areas.

Overall, it plans to be active in 18 states this year, up from 12 since its 2011 founding, with additions or deeper work in areas including New Mexico, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Why it matters: The expansion reflects an important shift for low-carbon companies the group represents — renewables, EVs, energy storage, nuclear, efficiency and more.

After the passage of the 2021 infrastructure law and last year's climate law, there's fresh emphasis on state policies that translate federal investments into real-world projects.

Zoom in: The group's priorities include transmission and shrinking wait times (called the "interconnection queue") for connecting renewables to the grid, president Heather O’Neill said in an interview.

The big picture: They will focus on state carbon-free energy goals and implementing the federal laws, she said.

"State houses, governor's offices, and public utility commissions all across the country have to commit to unlock all of those benefits of that clean energy transition," O’Neill said.

"And so that expansion and growth of Advanced Energy United is really a recognition of this moment in time and all the work that needs to happen in the states to fully recognize and accelerate this transition."