News

As Virginia's 60-day legislative session begins, Canary Media reports that clean energy is emerging as a key strategy to help combat rising electricity costs and reliability concerns. United's Jim Purekal spoke to the benefits of one proposal, the Facilitating Access to Surplus Transmission (FAST) Act, noting that the legislation would utilize capacity on existing transmission lines and speed up interconnection of advanced energy solutions, increasing affordability and energy capacity statewide.

In an op-ed for Crain's Chicago Business, United's Samarth Medakkar discusses the passage of Illinois' Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), which will expand battery storage, facilitate more investment in renewables, and strengthen energy efficiency programs statewide, highlighting Illinois as a dominant and leading force in building a modernized, affordable, and equitable power grid.

In an article for Utility Dive about power sector trends to monitor this year, United's Harry Godfrey highlighted a growing trend toward distributed resources and demand response technologies as utilities aim to maximize current grid infrastructure and meet rising energy demand.

POLITICO reports on a new nuclear bill under consideration by New Jersey lawmakers, which could potentially drive up energy costs for consumers. United's Katie Mettle noted that, while supportive of nuclear energy generally, the bill lacks safeguards on costs or timelines, and expressed concern that ratepayers would be paying for a costly and time-consuming endeavor with no immediate benefits.

The Center Square reports on rising load growth, rising energy costs, and rising reliability issues within Pennsylvania and the broader PJM region. United's Chris D'Agostino emphasized the importance of smart integrated energy planning to help optimize utility operations and investments, meet growing energy demand, and increase energy affordability for state residents.

In an interview with KXAN, Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (United's state affiliate), stated that the Texas grid is well-equipped to withstand the Texas winter, pointing to the increased use of renewables in strengthening the state's power system.