News

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. 

Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 4120) that would establish a basic virtual power plant (VPP) program and require the state's two largest utilities to propose their own VPP programs by 2027. United's Samarth Medakkar spoke to the benefits of VPPs in lowering electricity costs and reducing strain on the grid during times of peak demand.

Canary Media reports on the passage of AB 825, the Pathways bill, which was signed into law as part of a major climate-and-energy legislative package. AB 825 will allow California to join with the West in creating a regional day-ahead energy market. The article quotes United's Brian Turner, who called the bill a "starting gun" for a Western energy market that will lower costs, strengthen the grid, and protect California's authority. 

Utility Dive reports on Governor Newsom signing a sweeping energy package into law. Among those was AB 825, the Pathways bill, which paves the way for an independent body to oversee a regional Western energy market. The article quotes United's Leah Rubin Shen, who said that this was a culmination of nearly a decade of work that will deliver a more reliable grid and a more flexible and affordable energy future for the West.

Inside Climate News reports on a first-of-its-kind PJM Multistate Technical Conference, during which several governors in PJM states called for major reforms to the grid operator, citing high electricity prices and slow interconnection. United's Jon Gordon spoke as an industry expert and defended competitive markets, encouraging states to press PJM to make improvements that ensure lower costs for consumers.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the Nevada PUC approved NV Energy's first-of-its-kind mandatory daily demand charge for residential and small business customers. This fee is based on each customer's highest 15-minute usage each day. United's Sheila Hallstrom criticized the decision as undermining energy efficiency and affordability at a time of rising energy costs. 

The Nevada Current reports that the Nevada PUC approved NV Energy's new daily peak demand charge for residential and small business customers in Southern Nevada, alongside changes to net metering for rooftop solar in the north. United's Sheila Hallstrom criticized the decision as undermining energy efficiency and affordability, warning that it will raise bills for many customers.

Utility Dive reports that California lawmakers approved a sweeping energy package reauthorizing the state's cap-and-trade program, but without funding for the Demand Side Grid Support program. United's Edson Perez calls this a missed opportunity and urges lawmakers to find a funding solution early next year. 

Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that the Trump administration has ordered the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania to remain operational past the facility's retirement date. Moreover, FERC approved a plan that allows PJM Interconnection to recover the costs of keeping the plant running. United's Jon Gordon raised concerns about future energy capacity in the PJM region, warning that the system-wide cost sharing plan would raise electricity costs for consumers.

California lawmakers passed two virtual power plant (VPP) bills—AB 44 and AB 740—that now await Governor Newsom's signature, reports PV Magazine. United's Edson Perez spoke to the benefits of VPPs in reducing grid strain, lowering energy costs, and increasing grid reliability, urging Governor Newsom to sign the bills into law.