News

The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require half of new power plant energy capacity to come from changeable resources other than batteries. Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, spoke with KBTX-TV about the negative impacts the legislation would have on renewable resources such as wind and solar.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas is facing policy uncertainty regarding advanced energy deployment at both the federal and state levels. Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA), pointed to the Lone Star State's soaring electricity demand, emphasizing the importance of using a wide array of advanced energy solutions to meet new load growth.

The Texan reports on State Senator Hancock's SB 2455, which would establish the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee to make recommendations for coordinating and improving state agency programs that reduce energy waste. Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, highlighted the benefits of the legislation, including improved grid reliability, increased regional coordination, and meeting soaring energy demand across the state.

Facing unprecedented load growth due to population increases and energy-intensive industries, Texas lawmakers are reevaluating their energy strategies by incorporating diverse energy resources, including renewables. The Texas Tribune spoke with clean energy experts, including Matthew Boms, Executive Director of United's state affiliate Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA), who encouraged the use of advanced energy technologies to meet rising electricity demand within the state.

In Texas, companies are pioneering virtual power plant (VPP) initiatives by offering homeowners at-home battery systems through a subscription model that supplies power back to the Texas grid. Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance's (TAEBA's) Matthew Boms spoke to San Antonio Express-News about the benefits of VPPs, encouraging the Texas government to invest in advanced energy technologies to increase grid reliability.

In Texas, Bandera Electric's virtual power plant (VPP) pilot program is utilizing distributed energy resources to bolster the grid and lower energy costs for consumers. Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance's Executive Director Matthew Boms spoke with The Texas Tribune about the many benefits of VPPs in creating a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable grid while meeting growing energy demand.

E&E News identifies key energy topics under consideration in Texas' 2025 legislative session, including new permitting requirements for wind, solar, and battery storage projects. Matthew Boms of Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (United's state affiliate) stated that industry standards are making battery storage safer, encouraging lawmakers to recognize the role batteries have in creating a more reliable and resilient grid.

RTO Insider reports on ERCOT's Technical Advisory Committee's first meeting in 2025, which focused mostly on the grid operator's proposed market design framework. The article quoted United's Doug Pietrucha, who emphasized the importance of technology neutrality as part of market design.

Inside Climate News interviewed several energy experts about what to expect from state governments on renewable energy policies in the new year. United’s Amisha Rai pointed to the California Legislature’s opportunity to support the development of a regional transmission grid through the West’s Pathways Initiative. She also highlighted the bipartisan support for advanced energy solutions in Texas.