News

RTO Insider reports on Bonneville Power Administration's decision to join Southwest Power Pool's Markets+ day-ahead market over California Independent System Operator's Extended Day Ahead Market, a move that will impact the future of Western electricity markets. United’s Leah Rubin Shen criticized the decision as premature and warned that it could entrench costly market seams and inefficiencies and undermine efforts to build a unified Western grid. 

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed two bipartisan clean energy bills that aimed to expand small solar projects and energy storage across the state. Inside Climate News spoke with several clean energy experts and advocates, including United's Jim Purekal, who stated that the veto was a missed opportunity to increase grid reliability, reduce costs for ratepayers, and bolster energy security across the state.

Utility Dive reports that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is likely to be targeted for cuts as Congress aims to cut spending by $2 trillion. United's Harry Godfrey emphasized that tax credits included in the IRA are critical to building U.S. energy dominance, creating good-paying jobs, and boosting economic development.

Inside Climate News reports on President Trump's proposed cuts to the 2026 fiscal year budget, which includes deep cuts to renewable energy research, low-income heating assistance, and environmental justice programs, reflecting a broader rollback of energy and infrastructure spending. United’s Harry Godfrey advocated that advanced energy technologies are essential for an economy with abundant and affordable energy and criticized the budget request for seemingly defunding programs based on keywords, such as 'renewable energy.'

Canary Media reports on Massachusetts advocates urging Governor Maura Healey to stay the course on enforcement of the state's long-established ACCII standards, amid concerns that the administration may backtrack on those commitments. United’s Kat Burnham observes the pressure to roll back these standards isn’t coming from consumers, and notes the state already has incentives and infrastructure in place to support the transition to electrified transportation.

RTO Insider reports on the Pathways Bill, SB 540, as it advances through the Judiciary Committee with new amendments aimed at protecting California’s clean energy leadership, addressing federal overreach, and ensuring continued stakeholder engagement. United's Leah Rubin Shen voiced support of SB 540, noting that the bill balances diverse stakeholder interests while strengthening regional collaboration. 

In an opinion piece for Crain's Chicago Business, United's Samarth Medakkar and Climate Control Group’s Joe Parsons highlight the cost savings and grid benefits of geothermal heating and cooling, urging lawmakers to expand access to these proven technologies by passing House Bills 3399 and 3609.

The Houston Chronicle discusses the challenges and defenses surrounding the Texas Energy Fund, a $5 billion initiative aimed at bolstering the state's power grid through the construction of new natural gas power plants. Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance's Executive Director Matthew Boms urged lawmakers to embrace battery storage, solar, and wind resources as the fastest and most affordable way to meet new load growth.

E&E News reports that the Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved the state's first-ever high-voltage transmission lines. Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance's Executive Director Matthew Boms explains why this is an important step for the future of Texas' energy grid.

In an opinion column featured in Capitol Weekly, United's Callie McKenna makes the case for lower-cost, all-electric alternatives when rebuilding gas infrastructure after the Los Angeles wildfires, urging policymakers to rein in unchecked utility spending to protect ratepayers and meet California’s climate and clean energy goals.