News

Utility Dive reports on Governor Mikie Sherrill's executive orders aimed at expanding New Jersey's power generation and lowering electricity costs by accelerating solar, storage, and virtual power plant deployment. United's Katie Mettle stated that these executive orders are a step toward meeting rising load growth, improving grid reliability, and increasing energy affordability across the Garden State. 

In an episode of Latitude Media's With Great Power podcast, produced by GridX, United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill reflects on state-level clean energy policy wins in 2025. She also outlines United's strategies for supporting policy in 2026, explaining why we're focused on the 36 gubernatorial races and midterm elections this year to make progress for the advanced energy industry.

Axios reports on the Department of Energy's proposal for PJM Interconnection to address rising load growth and energy costs. United's Jon Gordon points out that the plan only offers short-term fixes and does not address the underlying issues at PJM, calling for reforms to speed up the utility's interconnection process so that more energy generation can come online.

The Chicago Tribune reports on House Bill 1002, which offers several solutions to lower electricity costs for consumers. United's Caryl Auslander stated that the bill's language could be strengthened to increase grid reliability and enhance savings for ratepayers, recommending that a peak load reduction metric be created to bolster long-term affordability outcomes.

In an op-ed for Crain's Chicago Business, United's Samarth Medakkar discusses the passage of Illinois' Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), which will expand battery storage, facilitate more investment in renewables, and strengthen energy efficiency programs statewide, highlighting Illinois as a dominant and leading force in building a modernized, affordable, and equitable power grid.

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.