News

Inside Climate News reports on continuing concerns over demand in the PJM Interconnection region, including a possible push for re-regulation. United's Amisha Rai joined experts in pushing back, defending competitive markets and encouraging states to press grid operators to make improvements that ensure lower costs for consumers.

Stateline reports that state officials across the country are rushing to fast-track solar and wind projects before clean energy tax credits are removed. United's Managing Director Harry Godfrey warns that abrupt halts on tax incentives will derail long-planned energy projects, while United's Senior Vice President of Advocacy Amisha Rai notes that nationwide demand for electricity is expected to continue propelling renewable deployment over the long-term.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports on the rollback of federal renewable energy tax credits following the passage of H.R. 1, which will slow down advanced energy projects in New Mexico. United's Harry Godfrey and Amisha Rai encourage state leaders to step up to meet climate and energy reliability goals as federal support decreases, highlighting the resilience of the clean energy industry.

Inside Climate News interviewed several energy experts about what to expect from state governments on renewable energy policies in the new year. United’s Amisha Rai pointed to the California Legislature’s opportunity to support the development of a regional transmission grid through the West’s Pathways Initiative. She also highlighted the bipartisan support for advanced energy solutions in Texas.

E&E News reports on the U.S. Department of Energy's recent report spelling out the advantages of advanced technologies in expanding grid capacity, quoting United's Amisha Rai on how advanced technologies could solve much of the country’s electricity challenges.

Western commissioners’ letter signals positive collaboration around regionalization to deliver reliable, affordable energy to the West and calls for action on Western RTO development 

SACRAMENTO, CA -  Today, commissioners from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington sent a letter to the leadership of the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) and the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation (CREPC) outlining their intent to work collectively toward a West-wide Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). The letter represents a breakthrough in efforts to advance the regions’ energy landscape and is key to creating a market that fosters collaboration, improved reliability, and economic growth. Advanced Energy United, the national clean business association, applauded the effort and released the following statement:

WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2023 — Today the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its annual summer reliability assessment warning Western states that they are in for another summer of elevated risk of blackouts due to extreme heat in 2023. NERC issued a similar warning last May, before record heat waves strained energy supplies in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and the Pacific Northwest in September.

The Sacramento Bee explores the importance of expanding California's grid, quoting Amisha Rai on how California lawmakers should act quickly to work with neighboring states.

Expanding California’s electricity grid to cooperate with neighboring states would bolster reliability and affordability while reducing carbon emissions, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded in a new report. The report released Monday said California would both maintain jurisdiction over energy rates and stay on track to meet its clean energy goals as nearby states such as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington strive to meet theirs.

Assembly Bill 538 "jumpstarts" conversation around regional grid collaboration, with the potential to save hundreds of millions in energy costs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Introduced by Assemblymember Chris Holden (AD41), Assembly Bill 538 would create a structure that would allow the California Independent System Operation (CAISO) to integrate into a broader, independent regional transmission operator (RTO). A 2022 economic development study commissioned by Advanced Energy United and conducted by Energy Strategies found that a transition like the one proposed in AB 538 could create over 138,000 jobs and save ratepayers $538 million per year in energy costs.