State leaders now have a responsibility to act to protect residents from rising energy costs, job cuts
WASHINGTON, DC —
Advanced Energy United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill released the following statement following final passage of the reconciliation budget bill:
"America didn’t have an energy emergency before, but this legislation goes a long way towards creating one.
As state leaders assess the damage done by Congress with this budget bill, they will have a responsibility and urgent need to protect their residents from job losses, rising energy prices, and grid instability.
Even without support from the federal government, state leaders must take steps to ensure we keep the lights on and manage costs. With the right policy direction, governors, legislators, and regulators can take the lead on removing the barriers to building a better electric grid, and lowering costs to build and operate advanced energy. To unlock new development, policymakers can make it easier and more financially enticing for consumers to switch to more resilient energy solutions at their homes and businesses, they can speed up timelines for new energy infrastructure projects by fixing antiquated siting and permitting rules, and they can put more technology solutions to work with much needed changes to energy market regulations.
Despite the setback on Capitol Hill, the advanced energy industry will endure, creating good jobs, investing in communities, and producing the affordable, abundant, and reliable power America needs now. United will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as the Trump Administration, where they seek to unlock advanced energy. At the same time, we will persist in combating efforts to undercut our technologies, jobs, and investments. Our industry is keeping the lights on today across the country and will carry on innovating and investing in America’s energy future."
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Click here to learn more about Advanced Energy United's work advocating for federal policies that allow advanced energy and electrified transportation businesses to thrive in America.
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Press Releases,
Heather O'Neill,
Federal Priorities
Budget bill will drive up energy prices, with thousands of energy jobs hanging in the balance
WASHINGTON, DC — Following the passage of H.R. 1 by the U.S. Senate, Advanced Energy United President and CEO Heather O'Neill released the following statement:
"This bill will hit Americans hard, terminating credits that have helped families lower their energy and transportation costs, shrinking demand for American-made advanced energy technologies, and squeezing new domestic energy production at a time of rising demand and prices. While Senators have addressed some of the worst provisions from earlier versions – including the ill-conceived excise tax – a number of punitive measures remain. The advanced energy industry will endure, but the downstream effects of these rollbacks and punitive policies will be felt by American families and businesses for years to come.
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Press Releases,
Heather O'Neill,
Federal Priorities
Celebrating the progress Virginia has made, and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring the full promise of the VCEA is realized in the years ahead
RICHMOND, VA – Today marks the five-year anniversary of the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), the historic legislation that set the Commonwealth on a path toward 100% clean energy.
“The VCEA was a turning point for Virginia’s economy,” said
Jim Purekal, Director at Advanced Energy United. “Five years ago, United helped rally a diverse coalition of energy innovators, business voices, and environmental advocates to support this legislation. Because everyone knew clean energy was the smartest investment the Commonwealth could make in its future. Today, we’re seeing the benefits: new jobs and new industries, all here in Virginia.”
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Virginia,
Press Releases,
Jim Purekal
Advanced Energy United calls for Changes to H.R. 1 Before Senate Vote
WASHINGTON, DC — Ahead of a planned vote by the Senate on H.R. 1, national business association Advanced Energy United President and CEO Heather O'Neill released the following statement:
“A vote for this bill is a vote to eliminate millions of jobs and thousands of energy projects while jacking up electric costs and endangering reliability. The updated text is worse than the proposal put forward by the Senate Finance Committee almost two weeks ago. If passed, Americans will look back to this weekend as the moment when the Senate approved a massive energy bill hike for all Americans.
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Heather O'Neill,
Federal Priorities
The third phase of a national campaign will educate constituents in Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia about the positive impact of advanced energy tax credits.
WASHINGTON, DC — As Congress rounds the final corner of negotiations on a major tax reform package, Advanced Energy United is launching an ad blitz across six districts to defend remaining energy tax policies, which – under current law – were projected to generate $3 trillion in economic benefits, $846 billion in household savings, and 13.7 million American jobs over the next decade.
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Press Releases,
Harrison Godfrey,
Federal Priorities
Despite some progress, California leaders largely sidestep their commitment to critical clean energy and clean air programs.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the legislature passed a 3-party deal on the 2025-26 state budget. While this budget includes some necessary investments in clean transportation, it defers decisions on most Proposition 4 and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund investments until later in the year.
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Press Releases,
California,
Edson Perez
Legislation establishes the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee
AUSTIN, TX – Today, Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 5323 into law, marking a critical step to help modernize Texas’ electric grid. HB 5323 establishes the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee. This committee will bring together leaders from key state agencies including the Public Utility Commission, ERCOT, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to improve coordination, reduce energy waste, boost efficiency, and enhance grid reliability.
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Press Releases,
Texas,
Energy Efficiency
Assembly repeals an outdated statute that has funneled approximately $200 million annually from ratepayers into subsidizing fossil fuel dependence
ALBANY, NY – In the final days of the 2025 legislative session, the New York Assembly voted to repeal the state’s “100-foot rule,” an outdated policy that allows gas utilities to charge existing gas customers for the cost of extending new gas lines to homes and businesses not currently using the fossil fuel. The law has steered ratepayer dollars—around $200 million per year—toward expanding fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when New York is working to reduce its reliance on gas and minimize energy bills.
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Press Releases,
New York,
Kristina Persaud,
Building Electrification
The third phase of the national campaign is educating constituents in Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas about the consequences of repealing advanced energy tax credits
WASHINGTON, DC — As the Senate advances a major tax package, Advanced Energy United (United) launched a national six-figure ad campaign across six states and the District of Columbia to educate the public about the consequences of repealing advanced energy tax credits that impact thousands of jobs in rural manufacturing communities.
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Regulatory,
Press Releases,
Federal Priorities
Trump Administration move would dismantle cost-effective safeguards for the power sector
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, in response to the Trump administration’s announced plans to repeal emissions regulations from existing coal-fired power plants and new gas plants, Advanced Energy United President and CEO Heather O’Neill issued the following statement:
“Businesses need certainty. Reversing course on these regulations will unfortunately stall much needed investment and smart upgrades to our power system. America's aging fossil fuel power plants are a vulnerability to grid reliability and security. Continuing to invest in and depend on these plants into the future will lead to more stranded costs and price volatility for consumers. Utilities and power providers should be investing in more cost-effective ways to add new electricity and upgrade our power grid instead of doubling down on outdated infrastructure. State leaders know that winning the AI and manufacturing race will require energy providers to build out resources and power infrastructure that prioritizes affordability and minimizes stranded assets, maximizes efficiency and strengthens system reliability.”
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Regulatory,
Press Releases,
Federal Priorities