Inside Climate News reports that the Illinois state legislature failed to pass a comprehensive energy bill—aimed at advancing clean energy technologies and renewable energy projects—before adjourning their Spring legislative session. Concerns over increased load growth and rising electricity rates overshadowed the legislature's consideration of the bill. To combat these concerns, Illinois lawmakers and advanced energy experts, including United's Samarth Medakkar, engaged with stakeholders to find common ground on measures that will accelerate battery storage deployment to help relieve grid strain and reduce costs.
Inside Climate News: Illinois Punts on Plans for Increasing Energy Storage, Renewables
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
Canary Media: Illinois’ Grid Needs Batteries. Can the Legislature Deliver?
Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are pushing to pass legislation that would jumpstart large-scale battery storage deployment to meet the state's clean energy goals and growing energy demand. United's Samarth Medakkar called on state legislators to swiftly pass the proposed bills, emphasizing that prompt action would enable Illinois to procure energy storage projects—enhancing grid reliability, stimulating economic growth, and lowering electricity costs for consumers.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
Inside Climate News: Youngkin Vetoes Clean Energy Bills That Garnered Support From Dominion, Environmental Groups
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed two bipartisan clean energy bills that aimed to expand small solar projects and energy storage across the state. Inside Climate News spoke with several clean energy experts and advocates, including United's Jim Purekal, who stated that the veto was a missed opportunity to increase grid reliability, reduce costs for ratepayers, and bolster energy security across the state.
Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Jim Purekal, Solar, Battery Storage
General Assembly Closes with Energy Legislation, But Bold Action Still Eludes Maryland in 2025
Ratepayer-focus in the ‘Energy Session’ missed the mark on several fronts
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland General Assembly gaveled out its 2025 legislative session at midnight last night. While lawmakers advanced legislation on utility transparency and energy storage, the session brought mixed outcomes for clean energy policies.
“While this session didn’t deliver on everything we hoped, battery storage and utility accountability were bright spots,” said Katie Mettle, Advanced Energy United Maryland Policy Lead. “Marylanders deserve bold, decisive leadership on clean energy, and this session didn’t deliver that across the board.”
Topics: Press Releases, Transmission, Maryland, Battery Storage, Katie Mettle
Down to the Wire: Clean Energy Legislation Amended at the Deadline in Virginia
Virginia Gov. Youngkin guts energy affordability measures passed by the General Assembly and plays politics with Virginia’s energy security
RICHMOND, VA – Last night, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced poison pill amendments designed to gut several key pieces of legislation the General Assembly passed to bring down costs for Virginia families and businesses.
“Earlier this year, leaders in the General Assembly put forward impactful legislation to expand the role of homes and businesses in the clean energy transition and to allow these projects to help keep the lights on and lower energy bills. Virginia needs leaders who take the job of policymaking seriously and use the positions they have been entrusted with to address the challenges faced by their constituents and the Commonwealth as whole. Rather than taking the opportunity to lead by signing these bills into law, Governor Youngkin instead took the opportunity to engage in partisan politics,” said United Virginia Policy Lead and Legislative Director Jim Purekal.
Topics: Press Releases, Jim Purekal, Virtual Power Plants, Solar, Battery Storage
New York State Legislature Prioritizes Clean Energy in 2026 Budget
Budget included policies to accelerate clean energy deployment like Sales Tax Exemption for Commercial Energy Storage and Grid-Enhancing Technologies
ALBANY, NY – Today, the New York State Legislature passed their 2026 budget, and cost-saving clean energy measures were front and center. Industry advocates applauded the FY2026 Executive Budget as a major step forward in supporting New York’s clean energy transition. The budget included, but was not limited to, funding for electric school buses, expanded residential solar tax credits, funding for geothermal, green affordable pre-electrification, aSales Tax Exemption for commercial energy storage systems, and support for Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and Advanced Conductors.
Topics: Press Releases, Transmission, Kristina Persaud, Battery Storage
Sen. Cunningham and Rep. Evans Introduce Illinois Energy Storage Bill to Save Consumers $2.4 Billion
HB3758/SB2497 solidifies Illinois’ leadership as national officials back away from clean energy
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., February 25, 2025 – Illinois families and businesses would see lower energy bills under HB3758/SB2497, a newly filed bill by Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago).
“With energy prices skyrocketing across the country and leaders in Washington opening the floodgates for fossil fuels, our bill makes it clear that Illinois will remain at the forefront of lowering energy costs while investing in clean energy,” Sen. Cunningham said. “HB3758/SB2497 proves to the nation that we don’t have to choose between taking care of our communities, our economy, and our planet.”
Topics: Press Releases, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
E&E News: 4 Issues to Watch as Texas Looks to Shake Up Energy Sector
E&E News identifies key energy topics under consideration in Texas' 2025 legislative session, including new permitting requirements for wind, solar, and battery storage projects. Matthew Boms of Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (United's state affiliate) stated that industry standards are making battery storage safer, encouraging lawmakers to recognize the role batteries have in creating a more reliable and resilient grid.
Topics: United In The News, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, Texas, Matthew Boms, Battery Storage
Virginia’s Sunny Future: Solar & Storage is the First Energy Legislation of 2025 to Advance from CEUR to General Assembly
Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Regulation gives the green light to solar siting
RICHMOND, VA – The Commonwealth’s first energy legislation of the year successfully passed out of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation (CEUR)today.The proposed legislationrefinesthe approval process for solar and battery storage projects of at least 20 MW, or 2 MW if it’slocated on previously disturbed land,andlocated within three miles of an interconnection point.The draft proposalis designed to balance the needs of local communities with Virginia’s growing demand for renewable energy, ensuring a more efficient path to cleaner, more affordable power.
Topics: Virginia, Press Releases, Permitting and Siting, Solar, Battery Storage
ecoRI News: Ocean State, Slow to Catch on to Battery Storage Facilities, Beginning to See the Light
As the battery storage industry continues to grow, United's Kat Burnham spoke to ecoRI News about the benefits of storage and the Rhode Island Energy Storage Systems Act, expressing hope that the Ocean State will continue to invest in energy storage solutions.
Topics: United In The News, Kat Burnham, Rhode Island, Battery Storage