In an op-ed for Crain's Chicago Business, United's Samarth Medakkar discusses the passage of Illinois' Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), which will expand battery storage, facilitate more investment in renewables, and strengthen energy efficiency programs statewide, highlighting Illinois as a dominant and leading force in building a modernized, affordable, and equitable power grid.
Topics: United In The News, Economic Impact, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Virtual Power Plants, Battery Storage
Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act represents leadership in the face of clean energy rollbacks
SPRINGFIELD, IL—Governor JB Pritzker once again showed Illinois’s national leadership today in signing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA). Comprised of several programs, CRGA ensures substantially more battery storage will be built in Illinois, facilitates more investment in renewable energy resources, creates an innovative virtual power plant (VPP) program, and strengthens energy efficiency programs.
Topics: Press Releases, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 4120) that would establish a basic virtual power plant (VPP) program and require the state's two largest utilities to propose their own VPP programs by 2027. United's Samarth Medakkar spoke to the benefits of VPPs in lowering electricity costs and reducing strain on the grid during times of peak demand.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Virtual Power Plants, Battery Storage
Inside Climate News reports that the Illinois state legislature failed to pass a comprehensive energy bill—aimed at advancing clean energy technologies and renewable energy projects—before adjourning their Spring legislative session. Concerns over increased load growth and rising electricity rates overshadowed the legislature's consideration of the bill. To combat these concerns, Illinois lawmakers and advanced energy experts, including United's Samarth Medakkar, engaged with stakeholders to find common ground on measures that will accelerate battery storage deployment to help relieve grid strain and reduce costs.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are pushing to pass legislation that would jumpstart large-scale battery storage deployment to meet the state's clean energy goals and growing energy demand. United's Samarth Medakkar called on state legislators to swiftly pass the proposed bills, emphasizing that prompt action would enable Illinois to procure energy storage projects—enhancing grid reliability, stimulating economic growth, and lowering electricity costs for consumers.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
In an opinion piece for Crain's Chicago Business, United's Samarth Medakkar and Climate Control Group’s Joe Parsons highlight the cost savings and grid benefits of geothermal heating and cooling, urging lawmakers to expand access to these proven technologies by passing House Bills 3399 and 3609.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Building Electrification, Geothermal
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.
Topics: Utility, Press Releases, Energy Efficiency, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar
HB3758/SB2497 solidifies Illinois’ leadership as national officials back away from clean energy
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., February 25, 2025 – Illinois families and businesses would see lower energy bills under HB3758/SB2497, a newly filed bill by Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago).
“With energy prices skyrocketing across the country and leaders in Washington opening the floodgates for fossil fuels, our bill makes it clear that Illinois will remain at the forefront of lowering energy costs while investing in clean energy,” Sen. Cunningham said. “HB3758/SB2497 proves to the nation that we don’t have to choose between taking care of our communities, our economy, and our planet.”
Topics: Press Releases, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar, Battery Storage
Advanced Energy United applauds the legislation that now heads to Gov. Pritzker’s desk
SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Legislature this week voted to create a new incentive program for electric fleet vehicles, such as delivery trucks and school buses. House Bill 4196, sponsored by Representative Martin J. Moylan and Senator Ram Villivalam, establishes the first-in-the-Midwest program to help small businesses, school districts and public fleet owners overcome economic barriers to purchase electric vehicles, which can have higher upfront costs but significantly lower lifetime costs to own and operate.
Topics: Press Releases, Electric Vehicles, Electric school buses, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar
Late last month, the Illinois Commerce Commission suspended Peoples Gas' pipe replacement and ordered an investigation into this program, which is responsible for an increase in rates since work began in 2011. The call to restart the program in the op-ed "The ICC needs to restart Peoples Gas' pipeline replacement immediately" (Nov. 29) is shortsighted, and doesn't factor in the surge in market trends toward home electrification technologies, driven by consumer choice.
Topics: United In The News, Illinois, Samarth Medakkar