Bipartisan support expressed for continued investment in power grid infrastructure and electricity affordability.
WASHINGTON, DC – National business association Advanced Energy United congratulates Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Doug Burgum, and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Chris Wright, on their respective Cabinet confirmations by the U.S. Senate.
“Our industry shares with Secretaries Burgum and Wright their ambition to lower energy costs, strengthen the electric grid, and make America energy abundant,” said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at Advanced Energy United. “We urge the incoming Administration to embrace and enable the market forces and investments that are allowing states to leverage advanced energy solutions to meet their energy needs. Advanced energy technologies provided 96% of all new electricity added to America’s power grid in 2024 and remain the lowest-cost way to reliably meet growing electricity demand.”
Advanced energy – including but not limited to solar, wind, storage, geothermal, nuclear, advanced transmission technologies, aggregated local power systems like distributed energy resources and virtual power plants, and other proven, emissions-free technologies – work in unison to increase grid capacity and provide both intermittent and baseload power resources, providing low-cost electricity and helping to prevent against blackouts during extreme weather events.
As Governor of North Dakota, Secretary Burgum presided over a wind power development boom in the state that created economic development and a more stable electric grid. Secretary Wright testified during his Senate confirmation hearing that he is committed to growing our electricity grid and our energy production and “removing those barriers that are standing in the way.”
“At Advanced Energy United we are committed to removing the barriers to building advanced energy infrastructure through sound public policy, including improving siting and permitting processes and transmission planning processes, so Americans can experience the benefits of a more modern and efficient energy system,” added O’Neill. “The U.S. needs more electricity and a better grid to deliver it, and we hope the incoming Administration can be a partner for the businesses that are investing in and building technology solutions to these challenges.”
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.