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.
Clean Energy Business Representatives Applaud Proposal from West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative
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
Canary Media
reports on the California lawmakers’ efforts to overturn the California Public Utilities Commission’s plan to propose income-graduated fixed fees with Assembly Bill 1999. The article quotes Edson Perez and Brian Turner on how ratepayers will be affected by this and the consequences of this fixed charge.
Of all the ways California regulators are proposing to rein in fast-rising electric utility rates, few are as controversial as the plan to charge customers for electricity service based on how much money they make.
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
New market approval a significant development for the West, says Advanced Energy United
WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the creation of a new extended day-ahead market (EDAM) by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), a significant development for the region. As CAISO notes in its news release, FERC’s action represents a major advance toward greater coordination of Western electricity markets.
Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Western RTO, California, Brian Turner
Utility Dive reports on the Powering Up Californians Act, quoting Emilie Olson's explanation of how the bill will help to improve delays in the utility interconnection process and speed up clean energy technology adoption in the Golden State.
SB 410, known as the Powering Up Californians Act, directs the California Public Utilities Commission to set average and target time periods for grid connections and upgrades. It is supported by several clean energy groups while Pacific Gas & Electric has expressed concern about the balance between speed and safety when it comes to grid upgrades
SB 410 is a key initiative to speed adoption of electric vehicles, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.
Topics: United In The News, Emilie Olson, California
Newly signed law mandates new school buses be electric starting in 2035, building on California’s clean transportation leadership
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 579 (AB 579) into law, speeding up the transition to zero-emission school buses. The law sets a statewide goal requiring all new school buses purchased or leased after 2035 to be zero-emission and extends transportation services and leasing contracts for zero emission school buses to ease the transition.
By moving up the timeline for clean school buses, California can bring the benefits of clean air and cost savings to children and schools faster.This action is the latest significant effort to fast-track clean school transportation.
Topics: Press Releases, Ryan Gallentine, Electric school buses, California
Legislation paves the way for more rapid clean energy deployment to California households
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Today, Advanced Energy United celebrated the bipartisan passage of SB 410, The Powering Up Californians Act, the first bill of its kind aimed at tackling delays in connecting customers’ clean energy technologies to the state’s power grid. Californians want clean energy solutions like residential solar and storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicles (EVs), but interconnection delays are a major obstacle in customer adoption of these technologies, slowing progress toward California’s decarbonization goals and customer energy savings.
SB 410, introduced by Senator Josh Becker (District 13), requires an ongoing assessment of every investor-owned electric utility’s electrical service and interconnection performance, workforce staffing levels, and grid capacity. This bill also facilitates clear and reasonable timeframes for connecting clean energy systems to hold utilities accountable, benefit customers, and prevent future bottlenecks.
Topics: State Policy, Press Releases, Emilie Olson, California