New legislation would allow solar, wind, and battery storage systems to plug in at existing power generating facilities and tap their underused interconnection capacity
Under updated PJM rules, Surplus Interconnection Services (SIS) allow new solar, wind, and battery storage systems to plug in at an existing power plant’s grid connections:
unlocking faster, lower-cost clean energy by using capacity that’s already built, already studied, and sitting idle, instead of waiting in PJM’s interconnection queue. In simple terms: if a fossil fuel power plant is approved to deliver 100 megawatts (MW) to Virginia’s grid, but typically only uses 50 MW, SIS can put the unused 50 MW to work by adding new clean energy and storage resources. At scale, these services could deliver another 2,000 MW (2 GW) of electricity onto the grid, enough to power one million homes in the Commonwealth.
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Topics:
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Jim Purekal,
Interconnection
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.
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Topics:
State Policy,
Virginia,
United In The News,
Jim Purekal
Decision by State Corporation Commission (SCC) to grant Dominion Energy a certificate for the Chesterfield gas-fired peaker plant is a step backward
RICHMOND, VA – The State Corporation Commission has approved Dominion Energy’s proposed Chesterfield peaker plant without conditions, advancing a project that will increase long-term costs for Virginia customers despite readily available, lower-cost alternatives that strengthen grid reliability.
“Virginians need low-cost energy, but this approval allows Dominion to move forward with one of the most expensive options on the table,” said
Shawn Kelly, Regulatory Director at Advanced Energy United
. “Utilities across the country are using proven tools like battery storage, demand flexibility, and modern grid management to meet peak needs at lower cost. This approval embraces
none
of these lower cost options.”
The Chesterfield project requires major upfront capital investment and decades of fuel and maintenance spending. Analyses presented in the proceeding showed that advanced energy technologies—already being deployed at scale in other states—can deliver peak capacity more affordably, reduce exposure to price volatility, and make better use of existing grid infrastructure.
“Approving a high-cost resource without fully evaluating commercially available alternatives shifts unnecessary risk onto ratepayers,”
added
Kelly
.
“Virginia needs planning decisions that maximize existing grid capacity, accelerate lower-cost technologies, and keep customer bills in check.”
Advanced Energy United, the national business association representing many of the leading solar, wind, storage, demand and distributed energy companies,
called on the SCC
in expert testimony to reject plans to build the new, expensive gas plant.
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Topics:
Utility,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly,
Integrated Resource Planning
The Center Square reports on the election outcomes in New Jersey and Virginia, where Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger won their gubernatorial races. United's Virginia Director Jim Purekal and New Jersey Policy Lead Katie Mettle highlighted the future governors' focus on lowering energy prices through clean energy as a key component of their victories.
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Topics:
State Policy,
Virginia,
United In The News,
Heather O'Neill,
New Jersey,
Jim Purekal,
Solar,
Battery Storage,
Interconnection,
Katie Mettle
PV Magazine reports on the election results from Virginia and New Jersey, with a specific focus on unlocking new clean energy opportunities by making better use of existing interconnection capacity. United’s Virginia Director Jim Purekal emphasized that Virginia must make the most of existing energy resources to meet rising load growth, while United’s New Jersey Policy Lead Katie Mettle highlighted the need for siting and permitting reforms to get more projects online faster.
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Topics:
State Policy,
Virginia,
United In The News,
New Jersey,
Jim Purekal,
Solar,
Battery Storage,
Interconnection,
Katie Mettle
Advanced Energy United congratulates the Governors-Elect of New Jersey and Virginia
WASHINGTON, DC – In a clear signal to policymakers nationwide, voters in Virginia and New Jersey have elected governors who ran on clean energy solutions to tackle rising costs and strengthen grid reliability. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill both centered energy affordability, reliability, and readily available clean energy solutions in their campaigns, and won.
“The results of both Governors races reflect that leaders who embrace clean energy as a path to lower bills, reliable power, and economic growth are being rewarded at the ballot box,” said
Heather O’Neill, President and CEO at Advanced Energy United
, an industry association representing many of the leading solar, wind, storage, demand, and distributed energy companies. “These elections send a clear message to every statehouse in America: clean energy wins.”
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Topics:
Virginia,
Press Releases,
New Jersey
In Virginia, it's more important than ever to quickly build and site new energy projects in the wake of H.R. 1, which could slow the pace of investment and development in critically needed initiatives. WHRO spoke with industry experts, including United’s Jim Purekal, who urged state leaders to keep costs low for ratepayers and highlighted solar as the most cost-effective form of energy generation available.
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Topics:
Virginia,
United In The News,
Economic Impact,
Jim Purekal,
Solar
The Commission rejected Appalachian Power’s proposal, preserving Net Energy Metering for customer-owned solar
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Topics:
Utility,
Regulatory,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly,
Solar
Virginia's State Corporation Commission conditionally approved Dominion Energy's proposed 15-year energy plan, but noted that it fails to address Virginia's statutory requirement for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. Canary Media spoke with United's Shawn Kelly, who stated that the proposal must support a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future by making use of proven advanced energy solutions, such as energy efficiency and battery storage.
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Topics:
Virginia,
United In The News,
Shawn Kelly
The State Corporation Commission released its order on Dominion Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
RICHMOND, VA — Today, the State Corporation Commission released its order on Dominion Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a long-term planning document that will guide billions in utility investments over the coming decades. The Commission found that the 2024 IRP is legally sufficient while noting that its order does not express approval of Dominion Energy’s future spending plans.
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Topics:
Regulatory,
Virginia,
Press Releases,
Shawn Kelly
