Clean energy advocates show support at the California Senate Energy Utilities and Communications Committee
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee held an informational hearing on the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative. During the hearing, policymakers heard a broad range of perspectives from California stakeholderson the creation of a new regional organization to oversee energy market functions.
Topics: Press Releases, Western RTO, California, Edson Perez
POLITICO reports that The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications will discuss the West-Wide Governance Pathway Initiative, a proposal to unify the West's electricity markets, which critics say makes California vulnerable to Trump’s FERC. United’s Edson Perez defends the proposal, saying that it will reduce electricity prices by increasing efficiency while preserving California’s authority over its clean energy and transmission policies.
Topics: United In The News, FERC, California, Edson Perez
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Senate Chair of Energy, Utilities and Communication Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) and Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) introduced SB 540, legislation aimed at optimizing California’s energy markets, increasing grid reliability, reducing costs for ratepayers, and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, Western RTO, California, Edson Perez
RTO Insider reports that California state lawmakers have introduced a bill (SB 540) to implement "Step 2" of the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative. United's Leah Rubin Shen highlighted the reliability and cost-saving benefits of sharing resources across the West, commending the Pathways Launch Committee for their support of the bill.
Topics: United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
Businesses and community advocates are championing AB 740 to support long-term electricity affordability solutions through virtual power plants.
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, California Assemblymember John Harabedian introduced a new bill that will allow Californians to leverage proven low-cost energy solutions to help prevent dangerous blackouts and strengthen our power grid amidst growing electricity demand.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California, Edson Perez, Virtual Power Plants
RTO Insider reports on the Step 2 bill of the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative, which aims to modify CAISO’s governance structure by creating an independent regional organization (RO) to oversee the Western Energy Imbalance Market and Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM). United's Brian Turner and Leah Rubin Shen emphasized that the bill should strictly enable CAISO’s participation in a regional market without imposing California’s clean energy policies on other states.
Topics: United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California, Brian Turner
Imperial Valley Press reports on California State Senator Steve Padilla's new legislation that would establish pilot projects designed to develop, finance, and operate electrical transmission lines. United's Edson Perez emphasized the importance of expanding transmission efficiently and affordably to meet growing energy demand across the state.
Topics: United In The News, California, Edson Perez
Study shows that a larger and more diverse day-ahead market will provide greater economic benefits for Californians.
SACRAMENTO, CA—A new study was presented today by the Brattle Group for the California Energy Commission (CEC) that evaluates the economic benefits and reliability impacts of the day-ahead market footprint on California customers.
Topics: Press Releases, Western RTO, California
Governor Newsom unveils 2025-26 state budget, which misses clean energy opportunities
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, Governor Newsom and his administration unveiled California’s 2025-26 $322 billion budget. Despite touting no deficits, the budget notably misses opportunities to significantly increase funding for energy resilience and clean energy by effectively leveraging the $10 billion in climate bond (Proposition 4) funds in addition to General Fund investments.
Topics: Press Releases, California
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.
Topics: United In The News, Texas, Amisha Rai, California