News

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.

Joining a Western grid would keep the lights on during extreme weather while creating up to 138,700 jobs and annually reducing energy bills $563 million

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A new study shows California would see significant economic benefits from participating in a regional electric grid with neighboring states. Conducted by independent consulting firm Energy Strategies on behalf of business association Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy), the study found that joining a regional transmission organization (RTO) could generate upwards of $21.7 billion in new annual gross state product for California and up to 138,000 new, permanent, living-wage jobs. 

The state’s pending budget shortfall could jeopardize its 100% clean power and zero-emission vehicle targets.

SACRAMENTO, January 10, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy) responded to California’s impending $24 billion deficit. The organization released the following statement from Principal Emilie Olson in advance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget release:

Utility Dive examined grid reliability issues popping up across the U.S., quoting Amisha Rai and Caitlin Marquis on regional and national solutions. Read snippets below and the full article here.

Power systems across the U.S. faced challenging grid reliability conditions over the past year, but managed to avoid the worst-case scenario of prolonged outages thanks to a combination of policy measures implemented over the last couple of years and luck, experts say.

Multibillion-dollar budget investments set to help California deliver on new 2045 carbon-neutrality law, among other clean energy targets  

California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule can empower other states to adopt stronger clean vehicle targets and accelerate the growth America’s electric transportation workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 25, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded the California Air Resource Board decision to require 100% of all new light-duty vehicle sales in the state be zero-emission by 2035. Referred to as the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule, the move is the next step in the state’s Clean Cars program, which has helped create a national market for more efficient, less polluting vehicles. More than a dozen states have adopted California’s previous vehicle emission standards, as the federal Clean Air Act allows.

E&E News covered new California legislation to explore the benefits of a Western RTO, quoting Amisha Rai on the need for a more interconnected grid. Read snippets below and the full article here.

California is exploring the proposed formation of a regional electric grid as governments and utilities across the West push for broader distribution of renewable resources...

Resolution from Assemblymember Holden lays the foundation for a better electric power grid for California and states across the West 

SACRAMENTO, August 11, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) celebrated the California Legislature’s passage of ACR 188, which kickstarts discussions about California’s role in improving the Western power grid in collaboration with other states in the region.  

A Western RTO could save Western states $2 billion in annual energy savings

JULY 26, 2022 – A new report for national business association Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) by independent consulting firm Energy Strategies finds that establishing a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) for Western states would create as many as 657,000 permanent, high-paying jobs in the West. The analysis, "Western RTO Economic Impact Study," also found that a Western RTO would diversify state economies and save ratepayers millions of dollars per year in energy costs.

An RTO is a cooperation agreement which allows electric utilities across multiple states to share resources and leverage the cheapest, cleanest, and most efficient energy sources through an organized regional market. Currently, the West is one of the only regions in the U.S. without an RTO managing its power grid.

The analysis found that every state in the Western region (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) could expect economic benefits from a West-wide RTO, driven by lower electricity prices for households and businesses, additional clean energy development across the region, and the expansion of existing, as well as attraction of new, businesses to the West.

Utility Dive detailed newly passed legislation that attempts to ensure the reliability of California's grid, quoting AEE's Emilie Olson on the bill's heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Read snippets below and the full article here.

California lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill that establishes a new certification process for solar, wind and other non-fossil fuel power plants that are larger than 50 MW, as the state works to build out the renewable projects it needs to ensure grid reliability.