The New York Times reports on the California Public Utilities Commission's approval of a monthly fixed fee that will be added to customers’ monthly utility bills. Quoted in the article, United's Edson Perez spoke out against the fixed charge, emphasizing that the policy will negatively impact California’s electrification efforts and discourage investments in energy efficiency and distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar and battery storage.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, California, Edson Perez, Building Decarbonization
POLITICO Pro reports on the California Public Utilities Commission imposing a monthly $24 charge on electricity bills. The article quotes United's Edson Perez, calling the decision "another blow to California’s clean energy goal."
Topics: United In The News, California, Edson Perez
CPUC approves a $24 fixed fee for utility customers’ monthly electricity bill
SACRAMENTO, CA—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a monthly fixed fee that will be added to customers’ monthly utility bills. This fee is a result of a 2022 bill, Assembly Bill 205, thatdirected the CPUC to add a fixed charge to utility bills based on household income in exchange for lowering volumetric rates.The approved plan willadd a fixed charge of $24.15 to monthly utility bills (reduced to $12 or $6 for lower-income customers).
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
Virtual power plants can provide opportunities for Californians to deliver power back into the grid
SACRAMENTO, CA— A new study from Brattle Group evaluates the potential of five different consumer technologies that could improve California’s electricity grid.
Topics: Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
E&E News reports on a new study from the Brattle Group that finds that Virtual Power Plants can serve more than 15 percent of peak electricity demand in California. The article quotes United's Edson Perez uplifting the benefits VPPs have to offer.
Topics: United In The News, California, Edson Perez
Western Regional Electricity Market Progress Continues to be Made
Today, the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative Launch Committee released a straw proposal that outlines a plan to establish an independent entity to oversee Western markets, building on the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and extended day-ahead market (EDAM). Clean energy industry representatives from Advanced Energy United, Pattern Energy, and Enel North America applauded the proposal, which will help advance efforts to build a regional transmission organization (RTO) in the West.
Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
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.
Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
Topics: United In The News, California, Brian Turner, Edson Perez
California Lawmakers are pushing to dismantle fixed fee that would hike up utility bills
SACRAMENTO, CA – A coalition of California lawmakers led by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin have introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1999, which would repeal a prior bill authorizing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to implement a fixed-charge billing system for residential electricity bills based on household income. Instead, AB 1999 would cap utility fixed charges at $10.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California, Edson Perez
Maintaining clean energy investments will help meet state policy goals, support in-state jobs
SACRAMENTO, CA – This week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced this year’s state budget, reflecting the state’s fiscal challenges. Despite reductions, the new budget preserves much of the critical funding for clean energy and transportation investments. Maintaining strong funding commitments in zero-emission vehicles and clean energy, water, and transportation infrastructure is crucial to help communities switch to less-polluting technologies, support in-state jobs, and better position the state to meet its clean energy goals.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California