News

The Center Square reports on Pennsylvania's power system as it faces rising load growth, interconnection delays, and outdated processes. United's Sarah Steinberg and Chris D'Agostino highlighted United's new playbook guide, providing strategies to help state leaders quickly buildout new energy infrastructure, while making it more flexible and affordable. They also called for policies that support solutions such as Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs), smart thermostats, home batteries, and geothermal to help meet growing energy demand.

In an opinion piece for the Albuquerque Journal, United's Michael Barrio and Brian Turner discuss how New Mexico can meet growing energy demand by maximizing the use of distributed energy resources (DERs) and virtual power plants (VPPs). The article calls on state leaders to establish clear policies that unlock the full potential of existing advanced energy technologies to lower costs and strengthen grid reliability for all New Mexicans.

The Los Angeles Times reports on the close of the California 2025 legislative session and Governor Gavin Newsom's veto of AB 740, a bill that would have directed the state’s energy agencies to create an implementation plan for virtual power plants. The article quotes United's Edson Perez, who called the veto a huge missed opportunity that would have lowered costs. 

Stateline reports that Western states are moving closer to creating a regional electricity market following the passage of California's AB 825. The article quotes United's Leah Rubin Shen talking about the benefits of joining such a market, including sharing resources more efficiently, lowering costs, and improving grid reliability across the West.

Houston Public Media reports on a recent virtual Reliable Grid Project media briefing, where industry experts emphasized the importance of renewables to meet growing electricity demand across Texas. Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance Executive Director Matthew Boms spoke to the benefits of wind, solar, and battery storage in bolstering Texas' grid.

Canary Media reports that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a series of virtual power plant bills, AB 44, AB 740, and SB 541, despite strong bipartisan support in the California legislature. The article quotes United's Edson Perez, who said this was a huge missed opportunity to tap the value of rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs that could cut costs and boost grid reliability.

POLITICO reports on Governor Gavin Newsom vetoing AB 44, a bill that would have streamlined how utilities use distributed energy resources (DERs) and take advantage of existing VPP programs. The article quotes United's Edson Perez, who said that this was a huge missed opportunity to advance common-sense policy that would have lowered costs, strengthened the grid, and unlocked the full potential of advanced energy.

In an opinion piece for Utility Dive, United’s Brian Turner explains what comes next after the passage of California's AB 825, a bill allowing the state’s utilities to join electricity markets governed by a new, independent West-wide organization. The new organization will let states opt into services a la carte, with more to come. This uniquely Western model will lower costs, improve reliability, and respect each state's policy goals.