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New Initiative Will Provide States With Federal Tools to Upgrade Electric Grid

Posted by Adam Winer on May 28, 2024

White House and DOE announcement will help support deployment of GETs 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the White House and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative aimed at bolstering America’s power grid by using tools like grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and doing advanced reconductoring. Joining the Initiative are 21 inaugural states that have agreed to partner with the federal government to speed improvements to the power system.

“At a moment when our electric grid has been neglected, and the demand for energy is on the rise, we must make immediate grid upgrades while we also plan for more long-range transmission lines,” said Verna Mandez, Director of Transmission at Advanced Energy United. “There’s a whole suite of proven, reliable, and cost-effective technological innovations able to make our electric grids do more with less. If we don’t use these proven technologies right away, consumers will be left paying more for a less reliable energy system.”

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Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Transmission, Verna Mandez

Associated Press: US Energy Panel Approves Rule to Expand Transmission of Renewable Power

Posted by Matthew Daly on May 13, 2024

Associated Press reports on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)'s approval of rules aimed at improving long-term regional planning for high-voltage interstate electric transmission lines. The article quotes United President and CEO Heather O'Neill, who voiced support for the rulemaking and emphasized the need for the buildout of more multi-state transmission lines to keep up with our growing energy needs.

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Topics: Wholesale Markets, United In The News, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission

New FERC Order Empowers States to Expand America’s Electricity Superhighways

Posted by Adam Winer on May 13, 2024

FERC Order No. 1920 will improve transmission planning and make it easier for states to improve their transmission grid

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to approve new rules aimed at improving long-term regional planning for high-voltage interstate electric transmission lines. 

“Families and businesses are paying the price for utilities’ and grid operators’ failure to address our critical electricity infrastructure needs,” said Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at national business association Advanced Energy United. "Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on America’s electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs. This FERC Order sends the message that transmission planning needs to change, and recognizes that states deserve a central role in ensuring a reliable electric grid built for the future.” 

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Topics: Wholesale Markets, Press Releases, Caitlin Marquis, FERC, Heather O'Neill, Transmission

U.S. DOE Announces Communities Poised to Benefit from Transmission Corridors Program

Posted by Adam Winer on May 8, 2024

A lack of electric transmission is harming or may soon harm households and businesses across the country

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a preliminary list of 10 potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) to accelerate the development of transmission projects in areas that have an urgent need for expanded transmission. DOE is now seeking public input on the process. 

“As America’s energy needs grow, the backbone of the energy system needs to grow with it,” said Verna Mandez, Director of Advanced Energy United’s transmission program. “Transmission is how we get affordable electricity from where it’s made to where it’s needed so we can keep the lights on and lower energy bills.” 

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Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Transmission, Verna Mandez

Coalition Calls for Robust Funding for Transmission in FY 2025 Budget

Posted by Adam Winer on Apr 30, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a joint letter to Congress today, a diverse coalition of more than 40 national and regional organizations and companies requested robust funding for electric transmission deployment and research in the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

In the letter, the groups highlight how upgrading and expanding the nation’s transmission network has taken on new immediacy.

“For the first time in two decades, demand for electricity is rising,” the groups explain. “Capacity exists to support this increasing demand and with the right investments can be brought online quickly.”

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Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Transmission

New U.S. DOE Rule Will Help Electric Transmission Get Built More Quickly

Posted by Adam Winer on Apr 25, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized the rules for a new Coordinated Interagency Authorizations and Permits program (CITAP). The program is designed to streamline coordination across agencies and make the U.S. DOE a main point of contact between developers and the federal government. National business association Advanced Energy United submitted comments last year about the proposal.

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Topics: Federal Policy, Press Releases, Caitlin Marquis, Transmission

New York Budget Includes Steps Forward on Transmission, Missed Opportunities on Energy Affordability 

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Apr 20, 2024

Transmission policies key for achieving NY’s broader clean energy goals 

ALBANY, NY— Today, the New York legislature passed a state budget which included transmission policies that should help the state meet its clean energy goals. National business association Advanced Energy United highlighted how the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act could help streamline and improve transmission project siting, via shifting oversight of those projects to the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), and shifting ORES to the Department of Public Service. 

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Topics: Press Releases, New York, Transmission, Kristina Persaud

Grid-Enhancing Technologies Bill Passed in Virginia

Posted by Savannah Gribbins on Apr 6, 2024

H.B. 862, a bill to advance grid-enhancing technologies, was signed into law last night by Gov. Glenn Youngkin

RICHMOND, VA – Last night, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a grid-enhancing technologies bill into law after it passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support. H.B. 862, proposed by Del. Phil Hernandez and endorsed by national business association Advanced Energy United, will improve grid reliability and increase the capacity of the existing grid to keep up with the Commonwealth’s growing energy needs. 

The bill requires that electric utilities in the state consider grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), a suite of technological upgrades that could add 30-40% more capacity to the current grid and save the Commonwealth money on grid congestion costs, in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process.  

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Topics: Advanced Transportation, Press Releases, Kim Jemaine, Transmission

RTO Insider: Panel Connects Clean Energy Transition to Boston’s Big Dig

Posted by Jon Lamson on Mar 21, 2024

RTO Insider reports on Advanced Energy United's recent Boston-area event, moderated by United's Laura Bartsch, about the need to overcome challenges on the path to meeting the country's clean energy infrastructure needs, quoting United's Jeremy McDiarmid on the importance of getting people to see the big picture perspective.

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Topics: United In The News, Manufacturing and Infrastructure, Transmission, Massachusetts, Jeremy McDiarmid

WVTF: Virginia's regional grid operator ranks last in the nation

Posted by Sandy Hausman on Mar 4, 2024

In an interview, WVTF Virginia Public Radio talks with Advanced Energy United Director Jon Gordon about PJM's low grade on United's 2024 Interconnection Scorecards.

Advanced Energy United... recently ranked all seven of the nation’s regional grid operators and gave the one serving Virginia a grade of D-minus. Policy Director Jon Gordon says PJM – which covers 13 states – used to add a few new power plants a year.

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Topics: Virginia, United In The News, Transmission, Jon Gordon