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.
Imperial Valley Press: State Senator Introduces Legislative Package Aimed to Overhaul California's Energy Grid
Topics: United In The News, California
New Report Shows Positive Benefits for California from Greater Western Market Participation
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
Amidst Wildfire Crisis, California Budget Should Prioritize Energy Resilience and Clean Energy Programs
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: What to Expect from State Governments on Renewable Energy Policy in 2025
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
California Clean Energy Business Representatives, Environmental Advocates, and Community Choice Aggregators express support for the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative Step 2 Proposal
Today, the West-Wide Governance Pathways Launch Committee voted to approve the final version of its Step 2 Proposal issued in mid-November. Step 2 proposes establishing a new, independent Regional Organization (RO) to oversee Western energy markets. The RO will provide fully independent governance for the Western Energy Imbalance Market and Extended Day-Ahead Market, while CAISO will remain the market operator.
Topics: Press Releases, Western RTO, California
California Voters Pass Proposition 4 to Tackle Climate Crisis
SACRAMENTO, CA—Californians voted to pass Proposition 4, the Climate Bond, in response to the increasing threat of wildfires, water pollution, and extreme heat. The measure is designed to advance clean energy, ensure access to clean drinking water, and support environmental protection programs that will bolster community resiliency and response time from these climate-related disasters.
Topics: Press Releases, California
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Address Skyrocketing Energy Bills
Advanced Energy United urges state leaders to take a careful approach to reevaluating clean energy programs that prioritize long-term affordability solutions.
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to address skyrocketing energy bills. The order instructs state agencies to eliminate underperforming programs in an effort to control rate increases for customers and maintain the state’s clean energy goals.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California
Utility Dive: Pathways Initiative Proposes Regional Organization to Oversee Western Power Markets
Utility Dive reports on the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative (WWGPI) draft Step 2 proposal that would create an independent organization to oversee the Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) and pending Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), which are run by the California Independent System Operator. The article quotes United's Brian Turner, a member of the WWGPI Launch Committee, saying that this independent organization could evolve to offer a full range of regional transmission organization services.
Topics: United In The News, Western RTO, California, Brian Turner
California Legislative Session Closes with Missed Opportunity to Advance Local Solar
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoes into law SB 1374
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 1374, which was designed to accelerate local solar adoption. SB 1374 would have expanded solar benefits by reversing a prior CPUC decision that prevents schools and apartment buildings from being able to use the solar energy they generate on their properties. This misguided veto will result in unnecessary energy costs for schools and apartment buildings.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, California, Solar
NewsData: Latest Western Markets Proposal Moves Forward With WWGPI Step 2
NewsData reports on the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative (WWGPI) draft Step 2 proposal. The draft Step 2 proposal includes several components: regional organization (RO) scope and function, formation of the RO, governance of the RO, public-interest protections, and the stakeholder process. The article quotes United's Brian Turner, a member of the WWGPI Launch Committee, saying that this proposal represents a significant step toward improving electricity markets in the West and addressing long-standing barriers.
Topics: United In The News, Western RTO, California, Brian Turner