Utility Dive interviewed advanced energy leaders, identifying key challenges the American electric power sector may face in 2025. United's Heather O'Neill spoke to ongoing load growth in the U.S. and how it will drive demand for renewable energy to meet that growth. She also emphasized the importance of state leadership in implementing advanced energy solutions.
Utility Dive: 9 US Electric Power Sector Issues to Watch in 2025
Topics: United In The News, Heather O'Neill
RTO Insider: Advanced Energy United Report Shows Major Economic Benefits from Quicker Queues
RTO Insider discusses United’s new report, which shows that fixing interconnection processes could result in over $100 billion in economic benefits, and over one million years' worth of work for Americans. United’s President and CEO Heather O’Neill emphasized the important role states play in expediting interconnection reforms nationwide.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission, Federal Priorities
Canary Media: After Trump Win, it’s Up to States to Lead on Climate Action
As the nation readies itself for the Trump-Vance administration, United's Heather O'Neill spoke with Canary Media, expressing hope that advanced energy policies will continue to grow in states of all political backgrounds.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Heather O'Neill
Overturning Chevron Doctrine Subverts Government’s Role in America’s Energy Transition
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, in issuing a ruling in the case of LOPER BRIGHT ENTERPRISES v. RAIMONDO, announced it has overturned the judicial Chevron Doctrine.
Topics: Press Releases, Heather O'Neill, Federal Priorities
Industry Should Lean Into, Instead of Litigate Against, the Energy Transition
Advanced Energy United calls on industry to stop dragging its feet and embrace more cost-efficient and reliable advanced energy solutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a petition was filed in federal court against the recently finalized U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulations for existing coal-fired power plants and new gas plants. National business association Advanced Energy United expressed support for the regulations when they were announced in April, and today urged against industry litigation and instead called for the embrace of cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable solutions for powering the electric grid.
Topics: Press Releases, Heather O'Neill, Federal Priorities
Associated Press: US Energy Panel Approves Rule to Expand Transmission of Renewable Power
Associated Press reports on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)'s approval of rules aimed at improving long-term regional planning for high-voltage interstate electric transmission lines. The article quotes United President and CEO Heather O'Neill, who voiced support for the rulemaking and emphasized the need for the buildout of more multi-state transmission lines to keep up with our growing energy needs.
Topics: Wholesale Markets, United In The News, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission
New FERC Order Empowers States to Expand America’s Electricity Superhighways
FERC Order No. 1920 will improve transmission planning and make it easier for states to improve their transmission grid
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to approve new rules aimed at improving long-term regional planning for high-voltage interstate electric transmission lines.
“Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities’ and grid operators’ failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs,” said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at national business association Advanced Energy United. "Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on America’s electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. This FERC Order sends the message that transmission planning needs to change, and recognizes that states deserve a central role in ensuring a reliable electric grid built for the future.”
Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Caitlin Marquis, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission
Canary Media: New Clean Power Rules Force Utilities to Take Clean Energy Seriously
Canary Media reports on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new rules pushing utilities to retrofit fossil-fuel plants with new technologies or swap them out for clean energy alternatives, quoting United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill on the opportunity the rules present for utilities to pivot to advanced energy solutions.
On Thursday, the Biden administration issued rules to dramatically reduce carbon emissions and pollution from U.S. power plants, while top officials weighed in with an important message: Clean energy is more than ready to supplant the fossil-fueled power plants the new regulations are intended to curb.
The long-awaited rules, the result of nearly a year of work at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will require individual states to craft plans for ensuring that coal-fired plants slated to stay open past 2039 control 90 percent of their carbon pollution from 2032 onward. Newly built “baseload” fossil-gas-fired power plants that operate more than 40 percent of the year must do the same.
Topics: United In The News, Heather O'Neill, Federal Priorities
In Light of New U.S. EPA Power Plant Rules, Utilities Should Pivot to Advanced Energy Solutions
Advanced Energy United calls on utilities to switch to more affordable and reliable tools for powering the U.S. electric grid
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced newly finalized emissions regulations for existing coal-fired power plants and new gas plants. Advanced Energy United, the national association of businesses united in their mission to achieve 100% clean energy and electrified transportation in America, expressed support for the regulations and called on utilities to do right by ratepayers by embracing cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable solutions for powering the electric grid.
Topics: Press Releases, Heather O'Neill, Federal Priorities
The New York Times: A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals
The New York Times reports on a recent boom in electricity demand in the U.S. that is putting pressure on conventional gas power plants, quoting United's CEO and President Heather O'Neill on the variety of options available for utilities to meet rising demand.
Critics say that regulated utilities often default to building gas plants because it’s a familiar technology and because, in many states, they earn a guaranteed profit from capital projects. They don’t always have the same incentive to adopt energy-efficiency programs that reduce sales or to plan transmission lines that can import cheaper wind power from elsewhere.
Topics: United In The News, Energy Efficiency, New York, Heather O'Neill