News

Electric transportation manufacturing, repair, and maintenance offer growth opportunities for sidelined industries, and could contribute to economic recovery for the state coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic

HARRISBURG, May 28, 2020 — Today national business association Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) released a new report concluding that more than 350 Pennsylvania firms, many of them in industries and geographies that have seen declines in recent years, could easily transition to serving the supply chain for electric vehicles, which is expected to grow at a rapid rate in the coming years. As Pennsylvania, like many other states, considers economic recovery strategies following the COVID-19 public health crisis, the unique opportunity to capitalize on electric transportation growth should get serious attention from policymakers.

Utility plan overstates costs and misses opportunity to deliver more savings for customers

RICHMOND, May 5, 2020 — Today, business group Virginia Advanced Energy Economy (Virginia AEE) reacted to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP, Docket PUR 2020-00035)* filed by Dominion Energy (as Virginia Electric and Power Company) late Friday. The plan comes three weeks after Governor Northam signed the historic Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), legislation that requires Dominion Energy meet the Commonwealth’s energy demand it serves with 100% clean energy by 2045.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2020 —  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today largely rejected the clean energy sector’s Request for Rehearing on its order to impose a Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) in the PJM capacity market. While clarifying that voluntary RECs are not considered by the Commission to be a state subsidy, FERC otherwise affirmed its December 2019 decision.

Changing federal tax credits to direct payment would incur no added government cost, help advanced energy companies keep projects moving forward, and preserve jobs of workers needed to drive economic growth after the crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2020 – National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) today released a new fact sheet detailing the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on advanced energy companies across the country and calling for a shift of federal tax credits to direct payment as a no-cost solution to aid the industry. This fact sheet – a follow-up to an open letter sent to Congress and the White House on March 26 – is based on a new survey of AEE member companies that demonstrates worsening impact on the full range of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, grid services, and electric vehicle businesses that make up the broad advanced energy industry.

Broad coalition jointly requests FERC technical conference or workshop to discuss carbon pricing in wholesale electricity markets 

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2020 — As U.S. policy makers look for cost-effective ways to tackle climate change, a diverse coalition of power generators, trade associations, and think tank experts this week asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to examine the policy options and implications of carbon pricing policies in competitive wholesale electricity markets. The request, submitted before FERC by a broad cross section of the electric industry and think tank voices, comes at a time when many states, utilities and electric markets are already considering policies that reduce carbon emissions in the electric sector and grappling with whether to integrate carbon pricing directly into the markets.

New law puts Commonwealth on the path to economic recovery and healthy communities; to put tens of thousands of Virginians to work while reaching 100% Clean Energy by 2045

RICHMOND, April 13, 2020 - Gov. Ralph Northam's signature of the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) makes the Commonwealth the first among Southern states to set a goal of 100 percent low-cost and efficient clean energy by 2045. The Act provides incentives for wind and solar power development, consumer ownership of rooftop solar systems, and steps to make old buildings and new construction more energy efficient. Among the goals set in the Act is a target of 5.2 gigawatts of power to come from offshore wind - enough energy to power 1.5 million Virginia homes.

Companies report disruptions due to COVID-19 public health crisis, response to address immediate needs, and actions to position advanced energy for economic recovery 

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2020 – National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) has sent an open letter to U.S. congressional leadership and the White House reporting on COVID-19 disruptions to industry, describing companies' response to help address the immediate health care crisis, and proposing actions to ensure the advanced energy industry's ability to contribute to economic recovery. Findings came from a survey of AEE member companies, which are engaged in a wide range of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, grid services, and electric vehicle businesses, as well as purchasing advanced energy goods and services.

It’s a no-cost way to keep liquidity in system, keep clean energy projects on track and employees working in the face of COVID-19 disruption, energy finance expert says – and it should be made permanent

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 23, 2020 – National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) has sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to convert renewable energy tax credits to direct payment in order to support clean energy development in the face of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to make the switch to direct payment permanent. This no-cost action would bolster liquidity in financing as the U.S. Congress works to support the economy during an unprecedented public health crisis.

TALLAHASSEE, March 12, 2020 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy reacted to Florida House passage of SB 7018* yesterday, a bill that directs the Florida Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Energy, and relevant stakeholders, to develop a “Master Plan” for electric vehicle infrastructure expansion. The House vote was 97-19 and follows Senate passage late Friday, clearing the bill for the Governor's signature. 

TALLAHASSEE, March 6, 2020 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy reacted to Florida Senate passage of SB 7018, a bill that directs the Florida Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Energy, and relevant stakeholders, to develop a “Master Plan” for electric vehicle infrastructure expansion. The Senate vote was 38-0.