News

Industry group welcomes climate bond and permitting reform for clean energy projects

SACRAMENTO, CA, May 12, 2023 — National business group Advanced Energy United reacted to today’s release of the Governor’s May Revised Budget proposal, which seeks to balance long-term investments in job-creating and cost-saving programs with the immediacy of a budget shortfall. The Governor's May Revised budget does not propose additional cuts to electric vehicle and clean energy programs beyond the initial budget proposal in January.

“We appreciate Governor Newsom’s ongoing commitment to protecting critical clean energy and electrified transportation programs, an acknowledgment that these investments create jobs and save people money on energy and transportation costs,” said Leah Rubin Shen, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, the national business association of companies working to achieve 100% clean energy and electrified transportation in America.

Colorado Newsline reports on Colorado Governor Polis' signing of a utility regulation bill, quoting Emilie Olson on how the legislation will benefit ratepayers in the state.

Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday signed into law a bill that commits Colorado for the first time to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target, along with other measures to address spiking utility rates and the state’s long-term energy future.

Flanked by Democratic lawmakers and state energy officials, Polis signed Senate Bill 23-16 at an event at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The bill, a wide-ranging package of reforms aimed at boosting clean energy efforts in a variety of industries, was approved on party-line votes by Democratic majorities in the General Assembly just before its adjournment on May 8.

Colorado Senate Bill 23-291 introduces a series of reforms to strengthen regulatory oversight of utility spending and future gas system investments

DENVER, CO, May 11, 2023 – National business group Advanced Energy United commended Governor Polis for signing Senate Bill 23-291 into law today, authorizing practical reforms to utility regulation and building upon existing gas planning improvements.

“This is a timely bill in a year that has laid bare the impact of volatile nature gas prices on all consumers,” said Emilie Olson, Colorado state lead at Advanced Energy United. “We thank Governor Polis, Senate President Fenberg, and the legislature for stepping up to shield customers from high gas bills now and in the future, and responsibly limiting the kinds of things utilities can make their customers pay for."

Polling found that more than half of all Coloradans supported adoption of the ACT rule 

DENVER, CO, April 21, 2023 – National business association Advanced Energy United today applauded the adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule via unanimous vote by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC). Set to take effect in 2027, the ACT rule will require auto manufacturers who produce medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to steadily increase the percentage of zero-emission model sales over time – up to 40-75% by 2035, depending on vehicle type. The rule is designed to spur manufacturers to offer more vehicle options and inventory, as well as provide consumers with more choices.

“In addition to improving air quality for Colorado residents, the Advanced Clean Trucks rule will lower costs for vehicle fleet operators and unlock new, cost-effective options for Colorado businesses,” said Emilie Olson, Colorado state lead at Advanced Energy United, which represents a wide spectrum of companies involved in vehicle production, charging infrastructure, and energy management software. "Small businesses, which have been hit hard by inflation and volatile fuel and supply chain prices, will benefit significantly from this regulation because it will help them switch to vehicles that cost less to operate and maintain.”

DENVER, March 21, 2023 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy United (formerly Advanced Energy Economy) applauded the selection of Maury Galbraith as Executive Director of the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (“CETA”). 

“We’re delighted to see Maury Galbraith take on this important leadership role at CETA,” said Emilie Olson, Senior Principal at Advanced Energy United. “Maury brings a strong track record of Western interstate cooperation to CETA and will, in this same vein, ensure Colorado is well positioned to capitalize on the benefits of clean energy growth and resource sharing across the region as we are filling infrastructure gaps here in the state.  With a new Executive Director at the helm, a fully-staffed CETA can get to work bringing the economic and grid reliability benefits of a modernized, regionally connected transmission system to fruition for the state.”  

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:

December 8, 2022 – Earlier this week, AEE released findings from three new state-specific reportsfor Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona showing how joining a Western RTO would power economic growth. Check out what more leaders from across those states are saying about the numbers: 

Colorado Governor Jared Polis: “We are continuing to save people money, lower energy bills, and bring more good-paying jobs to Coloradans, and this new report confirms that a Western market advances our bold work achieving these goals. Colorado has committed to join a Western market by 2030, and we look forward to continuing to work with leaders across the region to lower energy costs while making progress towards our goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040."

Joining a Western RTO would power economic growth and save residents millions in annual energy costs.

December 6, 2022 – Joining a Western RTO would create thousands of permanent jobs and save ratepayers millions of dollars in annual energy costs, according to new data from Advanced Energy Economy. The findings fromthree new state-specific reportsfor Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona are based on a recent west-wide analysis conducted by independent consulting firm Energy Strategies on behalf of AEE that examined the economic impact of establishing a regional power grid.

The $65 million grant program sets Colorado on track to electrify its school bus fleet and drive new electrification funding to the state.

DENVER, CO, May 10, 2022 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) applauded Colorado’s new electric school bus grant program, which provides an initial $65 million investment for schools to more quickly make the switch to clean bus rides for kids. The program passed out of Legislature today as a part of Senate Bill 193, a broader air quality investment package.