News

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas policymakers are focused largely on expanding generation and transmission to meet rising data center load growth. Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, stated that boosting energy efficiency by maximizing the use of existing grid infrastructure offers a more cost-effective way to ease grid strain, increase affordability, and meet rising energy demand.

In an episode of Latitude Media's With Great Power podcast, produced by GridX, United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill reflects on state-level clean energy policy wins in 2025. She also outlines United's strategies for supporting policy in 2026, explaining why we're focused on the 36 gubernatorial races and midterm elections this year to make progress for the advanced energy industry.

Spectrum News reports on rising grid reliability concerns in Texas as temperatures drop this winter. Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, stated that the Texas grid is in a much stronger position due to the addition of advanced energy solutions, including solar, wind, and battery storage, which makeup about 90% of new generation connected to the grid.

The Chicago Tribune reports on House Bill 1002, which offers several solutions to lower electricity costs for consumers. United's Caryl Auslander stated that the bill's language could be strengthened to increase grid reliability and enhance savings for ratepayers, recommending that a peak load reduction metric be created to bolster long-term affordability outcomes.

Heatmap News reports that a federal judge has overturned the Trump administration's stop-work order on New England's Revolution Wind project. United's Kat Burnham commended the court's decision, stating that the ruling is a decisive win for energy affordability, job growth, and grid reliability.

As Virginia's 60-day legislative session begins, Canary Media reports that clean energy is emerging as a key strategy to help combat rising electricity costs and reliability concerns. United's Jim Purekal spoke to the benefits of one proposal, the Facilitating Access to Surplus Transmission (FAST) Act, noting that the legislation would utilize capacity on existing transmission lines and speed up interconnection of advanced energy solutions, increasing affordability and energy capacity statewide.

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.

In an article for Utility Dive about power sector trends to monitor this year, United's Harry Godfrey highlighted a growing trend toward distributed resources and demand response technologies as utilities aim to maximize current grid infrastructure and meet rising energy demand.

POLITICO reports on a new nuclear bill under consideration by New Jersey lawmakers, which could potentially drive up energy costs for consumers. United's Katie Mettle noted that, while supportive of nuclear energy generally, the bill lacks safeguards on costs or timelines, and expressed concern that ratepayers would be paying for a costly and time-consuming endeavor with no immediate benefits.

The Center Square reports on rising load growth, rising energy costs, and rising reliability issues within Pennsylvania and the broader PJM region. United's Chris D'Agostino emphasized the importance of smart integrated energy planning to help optimize utility operations and investments, meet growing energy demand, and increase energy affordability for state residents.