News

Virtual power plant bills, Assembly Bills 740 and 44, advance in committee, now head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the California Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee passed two bills unanimously that would encourage the use of cleaner, faster, and more affordable power to meet the state's peak electricity demand. Both bills help support Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), which are made up of small-scale energy resources found in homes and businesses, like smart thermostats, home batteries, and electric vehicles. These resources can shift, store, and deliver clean energy during times of peak demand, reducing stress on the grid.

PRESS would increase Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) to 35% by 2035 while RESET would modernize and streamline energy siting to meet skyrocketing electricity demand. 

HARRISBURG, PA – As part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Lightning Plan, Pennsylvania is moving forward on the clean energy future with the introduction of the Reliable Energy Siting and Electric Transition Board (RESET) and reintroduction of the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Standards and Sustainability (PRESS) Act, two game-changing bills that will supercharge the state’s economy, lower costs, and put Pennsylvania on the map as a leader in clean energy.  

Advanced Energy United issued a statement thanking Commissioner and former Chairman Phillips for his work to modernize America’s grid and collaborate with stakeholders across the energy supply chain

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, in response to the announcementthat Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner and former Chair Willie Phillips will be leaving the Commission, Advanced Energy United Managing Director Caitlin Marquis issued the following statement:

House Bills 4027 and 4028 would take rights away from landowners, scramble an otherwise business-friendly environment, and raise electricity costs for consumers

LANSING, MI – Diverse stakeholders are joining together to encourage Michigan legislators to oppose House Bills 4027 and 4028.  

Today, Tuesday, April 22, the House Energy committee heard testimony on these bills and voted them out of the committee, sending them on the path to the full House chamber. Farmers and representatives from clean energy companies urged legislators on the committee to vote no on both bills. Opponents articulated key reasons to reject these bills as they would take rights away from individual landowners, raise electric utility costs for all consumers, hurt Michigan businesses, and prevent the state from more reliably and cost-effectively powering the energy grid to meet rising demand. 

A big step toward unlocking affordable, reliable energy while accelerating clean energy deployment  

SACRAMENTO, CA— This evening, the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 540, marking a key step forward in lowering costs for ratepayers, keeping the lights on, and accelerating the state’s transition to clean energy.  

Marissa Paslick Gillett and David Arconti bring deep expertise and proven leadership to PURA 

HARTFORD, CT – Advanced Energy United congratulates David Arconti and Marissa Paslick Gillett on their confirmation today to Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).  

“Strong leadership at PURA is essential to providing a modern, and cost-effective energy system to serve Connecticut ratepayers,” said Advanced Energy United Connecticut Policy Lead Kat Burnham. “We look forward to working with Chairman Gillett and Commissioner Arconti to bolster Connecticut’s energy system performance, improve grid resilience, and lower costs for consumers.” 

As former chair of the Energy & Technology Committee in the Connecticut House of Representatives, Arconti played a key role in shaping the state’s energy policy. Gillett, who has served as PURA’s chair since 2019, has led efforts to modernize utility regulation and expand clean energy opportunities. 

“With their leadership and expertise at PURA, Connecticut is well-positioned to deliver a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy system,” added Burnham. “We stand ready to support their efforts to drive innovation and investment in the state’s energy future.” 

Groups unify and urge Illinois regulators to align storage roadmap with 1,500 MW clean energy target

CHICAGO, Ill., April 14, 2025 – Illinois clean energy trade associations are unifying and calling for the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) consultant to make critical revisions to its upcoming report on clean energy storage procurement. 

The report, currently in draft form and prepared by an ICC-appointed consultant, is intended to guide the state’s path toward deploying 1,500 megawatts (MW) of energy storage as part of Illinois’ ultimate clean energy and grid reliability goals, a benchmark set by recent legislation. However, the early draft indicates a recommendation of approximately half that amount, prompting a unified response from Illinois’ clean energy industry urging course correction. 

AI initiative marks a promising new tool for tackling PJM’s backlog, especially if paired with continued policy reform 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, PJM Interconnection and Google announced a groundbreaking partnership to use artificial intelligence to streamline how new energy projects connect to the power grid. Clean energy industry advocates welcomed the move as a smart and necessary step toward solving the interconnection backlog that has stalled thousands of clean energy projects across the region. Advanced Energy United praised the initiative as a sign that PJM is embracing innovation to modernize the grid. 

Advanced Energy United applauds the Illinois House for passing House Bill 3650 to help homeowners, renters, and building owners lower their energy bills and make improvements to their properties. 

Illinoisans will benefit greatly from the bill, which would create a State Navigator Program to link them with already-available programs that could lower the cost of their utility bills or reduce the price of making energy efficiency improvements to their properties.  

Ratepayer-focus in the ‘Energy Session’ missed the mark on several fronts   

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland General Assembly gaveled out its 2025 legislative session at midnight last night. While lawmakers advanced legislation on utility transparency and energy storage, the session brought mixed outcomes for clean energy policies. 

“While this session didn’t deliver on everything we hoped, battery storage and utility accountability were bright spots,” said Katie Mettle, Advanced Energy United Maryland Policy Lead. “Marylanders deserve bold, decisive leadership on clean energy, and this session didn’t deliver that across the board.”