News

The DRIVE Act paves the way for advancements in electric vehicle and grid integration, and bolsters Maryland’s energy resiliency 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act (H.B. 1256) was passed by the Maryland General Assembly last night and is now poised to modernize the state’s energy management and grid preparedness. Advanced Energy United, a national business association representing over 100 businesses including transmission developers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, and charging infrastructure providers, gave written testimony in support of the legislation to the House Economic Matters Committee earlier this legislative session.  

“The DRIVE Act shows that Maryland is serious about getting its electric grid ready for an electrified future,” said Nick Bibby, Maryland State Lead for Advanced Energy United. “This legislation will help residents and businesses tap into the unique capabilities of clean energy resources and electric vehicles to lower energy costs and support the resiliency of the electric grid.” 

New regulations will provide advantages for businesses that adopt electric vehicle fleets

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. from 2027 to 2032, providing regulatory certainty for automotive and charging industries, and private and public fleet operators, charting a path to less harmful emissions by growing electrified transportation fleets. 

“In providing nationwide certainty that America is switching to electric trucks and buses, these industries can now invest confidently in an all-electric transportation future,” said Ryan Gallentine, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of companies providing clean energy and transportation solutions in America. “Many of these models are already more cost-effective than combustion engine alternatives when fuel costs and tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act are factored in, offering U.S. businesses and freight providers that convert their fleet new savings and operational advantages.” 

Anticipation builds for the latest round of offshore wind solicitation in New England 

BOSTON, MA – The southern New England states are poised to receive a robust set of competitive proposals from offshore wind developers in the upcoming offshore wind solicitation spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. In addition to the unique three-state collaboration, the recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury should provide this round of bidding with an abundance of options to deliver clean energy solutions, foster economic development, and secure savings for utility ratepayers. 

"This solicitation marks a significant step towards revitalizing offshore wind projects in the United States,” stated Jeremy McDiarmid, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United. “We anticipate a highly competitive landscape, with established developers vying to contribute innovative solutions to meet New England’s energy needs.”  

New market approval continues forward momentum for RTO development in the West

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, national business association Advanced Energy United applauded the commitment of Portland General Electric and Idaho Power to join the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) extended day-ahead market (EDAM), an electricity market poised to deliver enhanced reliability, economic, and environmental benefits to utilities and communities through the West when it begins in 2026.

WASHINGTON, DC – National business association Advanced Energy United released the following statement of support prior to the commencement of Confirmation Hearings for nominees David Rosner, Judy Chang, and Lindsay See to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

"FERC plays an essential role ensuring that the U.S. has an affordable and reliable energy system, which is especially critical as we swiftly transition toward a 100 percent advanced energy economy,” said Caitlin Marquis, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United. "FERC is most capable of deliberating on the vital and complex issues before it when it has a full contingent of Commissioners. As such, we welcome the work of this committee and the Senate as a whole to swiftly consider these nominations from President Biden."

New U.S. EPA targets provide the certainty industry needs to accelerate transition to EVs

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced new tailpipe emissions standards for light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. from 2027 to 2032, providing regulatory certainty for the auto industry on the path ahead and flexibility for automakers on how to reach the end goal of a fully electrified consumer transportation fleet. 

“As we experience increasingly widespread adoption of technologically superior and increasingly popular electric vehicle models, these standards provide clarity and market certainty on the timeframe,” said Ryan Gallentine, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of companies providing clean energy and transportation solutions in America. “Nearly every automaker sees that to keep up with changing consumer interests and global technology trends a quick switch to electric vehicles is in order. As many states raise the ceiling for what’s expected, these federal standards set an industry floor for that transition so that all consumers can have access to reliable, affordable, all-electric vehicles in the coming decade.”

The newly passed law, HEA 1194, is predicted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by factoring lifetime operating costs into state vehicle purchases

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Holcomb signed into law yesterday a bill requiring the Indiana Department of Administration to apply a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis when purchasing new light-duty vehicles for their state fleet. TCO considers differences in the average cost of fueling and maintaining vehicles, allowing the state to generate significant savings over the lifespan of a vehicle compared to vehicle purchases based on sticker price alone.

Indiana joins states like Nevada and Virginia in applying this good governance measure, which a report last year from national business association Advanced Energy United found could save Indiana $62.4 million over 15 years.