News

In an article for Bloomberg Law, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance's (United's state affiliate) Executive Director, Matthew Boms, highlights how advanced energy solutions—including wind, solar, battery storage, and demand response technologies—are bolstering the state's economy, increasing grid reliability, and helping meet rising load growth.

Inside Climate News reports on Maryland's multi-state, bipartisan effort to protect consumers from anticipated rate increases at PJM Interconnection. United's Jon Gordon spoke to the various factors behind higher energy costs, encouraging collaboration between the utility and state leaders to ensure the provision of affordable and reliable electricity for ratepayers.

The Nevada Independent reports that Southwest Gas (Nevada's largest natural gas utility) is seeking to adopt an alternative ratemaking structure under the state's newly passed SB 417, which would allow it to move beyond the traditional cost-of-service model. United's Sarah Steinberg encouraged state energy regulators to draft a strong framework that details how alternative ratemaking will work while protecting consumers and meeting Nevada's energy goals.

In Virginia, it's more important than ever to quickly build and site new energy projects in the wake of H.R. 1, which could slow the pace of investment and development in critically needed initiatives. WHRO spoke with industry experts, including United’s Jim Purekal, who urged state leaders to keep costs low for ratepayers and highlighted solar as the most cost-effective form of energy generation available.

The Houston Chronicle reports on increasing uncertainty among developers over federal and state actions to phase out key clean energy incentives. United's Doug Pietrucha warns that waning support for renewables could drive off private investment, derail long-planned energy projects, and increase costs for ratepayers statewide. 

The Bakersfield Californian reports that Assembly Bills (AB) 740 and 44—which aim to further integrate virtual power plants (VPPs) in California's energy system—are currently under consideration in the State Legislature. United's Edson Perez spoke to the benefits of VPPs in reducing energy costs, meeting load growth, and increasing grid resilience.

Canary Media reports on the potential funding cuts to California's Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) virtual power plant (VPP) program, which has proven highly cost-effective and reduces reliance on fossil-fueled power plants. United's Edson Perez stated that VPPs are vital for the state to enhance grid reliability, increase affordability, and meet rising load growth.

Utility Dive reports that Arizona regulators voted unanimously to begin the process of repealing the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) rules, which required electric utilities to deliver 15% renewable energy by 2025. United's Michael Barrio criticized the decision, warning that the repeal will scare off private investment and jeapardize Arizona's multi-billion dollar advanced energy economy.

Canary Media reports on the recent comments by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin on a stalled natural gas project in the Northeast. United's Jeremy McDiarmid pointed out that the narrative that natural gas will create downward pressure on consumer costs is misguided and pointed to advanced energy technologies as a better solution to reliability and affordability worries.

In an article for Canary Media, United's Jon Gordon discusses PJM Interconnection's annual capacity auction results, emphasizing that slow interconnection processes and insufficient energy generation buildout are hindering advanced energy projects that could reduce grid strain and lower costs for ratepayers in the PJM states.