News

The Nevada Independent reports on NV Energy's proposal to implement a mandatory daily demand charge on Southern Nevada customers, basing bills on their highest 15-minute energy use each day. United’s Sheila Hallstrom called the plan unprecedented and costly, and cautioned against applying an untested billing structure to every customer.

Canary Media reports on California's Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, facing over $100 million in proposed budget cuts, putting the future of virtual power plants at risk. United's Edson Perez cautioned that repeated funding cuts undermines California's efforts to keep the lights on during grid emergencies. 

RTO Insider reports on SB 540, the Pathways Bill, passing the California Senate and advancing to the Assembly. United's Edson Perez is quoted emphasizing that joining a Western regional energy market is essential to keeping energy costs under control while continuing California's clean energy leadership. 

In an opinion piece for The Colorado Sun, United's Emilie Olson urges Colorado to maintain its clean energy leadership by laying out smart, actionable policy opportunities for 2026, such as expanding transmission buildout, implementing coordinated gas-electric system planning, and investing in proven advanced energy technologies that ensure a reliable and affordable grid. As this was a slower legislative year for clean energy advancements, Olson calls on lawmakers to rise to the challenge next session and follow through on Colorado’s clean energy promises.

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.

Big Pivots discusses the potential impacts on Colorado if the U.S. Senate passes the budget reconciliation bill, which proposes to eliminate several federal tax credits. United's Harry Godfrey stated that, while the Senate's decision is still pending, the removal of key tax incentives could harm private investments in Colorado's advanced energy sector.

In an opinion piece for The CT Mirror, United's Kat Burnham highlights Connecticut's escalating home heating affordability crisis, pointing to the natural gas sector's aging infrastructure and declining demand. She advocates for proactive measures to align gas utility spending with the state's energy goals, such as implementing clean heat plans, exploring non-pipeline alternatives, and adopting regulatory reforms.

President Trump's proposed bill aims to dismantle key tax incentives, which have been instrumental in driving billions in private investment and creating more than 11,000 jobs in Virginia. United's Harry Godfrey spoke with Inside Climate News, stating that the rollback of these incentives would threaten to stall Virginia's progress in renewable energy development, economic growth, and job creation, undermining efforts to create a more reliable and affordable energy future.

E&E News reports that Southwest Power Pool (SPP)—the Arkansas-based U.S. regional grid operator—has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve its Expedited Resource Adequacy Study, a process to fast-track connection agreements for power plants to meet growing energy demand. United's Lisa Barrett criticized the plan, arguing that the priority should remain on the ongoing efforts to resolve the existing interconnection backlog.

The Colorado Sun reports that Colorado's largest utility, Xcel Energy, is facing criticism over its proposed plan to join SPP's Markets+ day-ahead market. United's Brian Turner urges Xcel to look West to CAISO's EDAM, where studies show greater savings and stronger alignment with Colorado's clean energy and affordability goals.