News

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.” 

New features on Insight Engine™ platform combine cutting-edge AI with expert validation 

WASHINGTON, DC -Insight Engine™, the leading platform for tracking, analyzing, and understanding energy regulatory and legislative developments across all 50 states, today announced the launch of generative AI capabilities. This powerful new feature streamlines workflows for users by instantly generating concise summaries of any regulatory document available on the platform, giving users back valuable time to focus on strategic decision-making.

Transmission Solutions Under New Long-Term Planning Framework Will Unlock Abundant Clean Energy Resources in Maine 

BOSTON, MA — Today, New England took a major step toward modernizing its electric grid with the launch of the region’s first Request for Proposals (RFP) under a new long-term transmission planning process. This marks a breakthrough in efforts to expand the grid, clear bottlenecks, and bring more clean energy online to meet the region’s growing electricity needs.  

The new long-term framework, developed by ISO-NE in collaboration with the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE), is designed to address the need for grid infrastructure as electricity demand in the region is expected to double by 2050. The framework establishes a structured, forward-looking approach to transmission planning that will support grid reliability and deliver economic benefits for decades to come. 

Virginia Gov. Youngkin guts energy affordability measures passed by the General Assembly and plays politics with Virginia’s energy security 

RICHMOND, VA – Last night, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced poison pill amendments designed to gut several key pieces of legislation the General Assembly passed to bring down costs for Virginia families and businesses.

“Earlier this year, leaders in the General Assembly put forward impactful legislation to expand the role of homes and businesses in the clean energy transition and to allow these projects to help keep the lights on and lower energy bills. Virginia needs leaders who take the job of policymaking seriously and use the positions they have been entrusted with to address the challenges faced by their constituents and the Commonwealth as whole. Rather than taking the opportunity to lead by signing these bills into law, Governor Youngkin instead took the opportunity to engage in partisan politics,” said United Virginia Policy Lead and Legislative Director Jim Purekal. 

Budget included policies to accelerate clean energy deployment like Sales Tax Exemption for Commercial Energy Storage and Grid-Enhancing Technologies 

ALBANY, NY – Today, the New York State Legislature passed their 2026 budget, and cost-saving clean energy measures were front and center. Industry advocates applauded the FY2026 Executive Budget as a major step forward in supporting New York’s clean energy transition. The budget included, but was not limited to, funding for electric school buses, expanded residential solar tax credits, funding for geothermal, green affordable pre-electrification, aSales Tax Exemption for commercial energy storage systems, and support for Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and Advanced Conductors. 

Senate Bill 2455 would address the need for a more reliable, efficient electric grid

AUSTIN, TX – Texas is at a critical turning point, facing the challenge of balancing rising energy demand with the need for a more reliable and efficient electric grid. Although the state leads the nation in energy generation, we are encountering growing challenges in maintaining grid reliability amid unprecedented load growth.