Bloomberg Government reports that California lawmakers are pushing for Assembly Bill (AB) 825, which would allow the state to join a regional energy market. United's Leah Rubin Shen highlighted that the bill demonstrates California's commitment to a more affordable, reliable, and sustainable Western energy market.
Topics: United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
In an opinion piece for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, United’s Leah Rubin Shen urges the California legislature to pass Senate Bill 540, which would allow California to join a West-wide regional energy market this year. She warns that failing to act could leave California isolated from the rest of the West. The benefits of joining such a market would save ratepayers $1B annually, improve grid reliability during extreme weather, and make better use of existing clean energy resources.
Topics: State Policy, United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California
The Denver Post reports on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s approval of Xcel Energy’s plan to join SPP's Markets+, despite concerns from consumer and environmental advocates. United’s Brian Turner criticized the decision and warned that it could delay progress toward a fully organized wholesale market, undermine Colorado’s clean energy goals, and urged the state to look into joining other markets in the region that offer greater renewable energy access and long-term cost savings.
Topics: United In The News, Western RTO, Brian Turner, Colorado
The Colorado Sun reports on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s approval of Xcel Energy’s $30 million plan to join SPP's Markets+. United’s Brian Turner said the decision will balkanize the Western grid, increase energy costs, and delay progress in clean energy development.
Topics: United In The News, Western RTO, Brian Turner, Colorado
E&E News discusses the potential consequences of a bifurcated regional grid between the West's two electricity market options—California's Extended Day-Ahead Market and the Southwest Power Pool's Markets+. United's Brian Turner warned that dividing the region between two systems could limit efficiencies, increase electricity costs, and decrease grid reliability.
Topics: United In The News, Transmission, Western RTO, Brian Turner
SB 540 now heads to the Assembly, continuing the momentum for greater collaboration across the West
SACRAMENTO, CA— The California Senate passed Senate Bill 540 today with a bipartisan vote. National business association Advanced Energy United, along with a diverse set of coalition partners, is encouraged by the continued momentum on this issue.
Topics: Press Releases, Western RTO, California
The Colorado Sun reports that Colorado's largest utility, Xcel Energy, is facing criticism over its proposed plan to join SPP's Markets+ day-ahead market. United's Brian Turner urges Xcel to look West to CAISO's EDAM, where studies show greater savings and stronger alignment with Colorado's clean energy and affordability goals.
Topics: United In The News, Western RTO, Brian Turner, Colorado
Xcel Energy has proposed joining a smaller market with less clean energy, whichmeans higher costs for ratepayers
DENVER, CO — A new report from Aurora Energy Research assesses the potential for Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy) to join a regional electricity market in the West.
The report evaluates the economic benefits of different day-ahead market participation scenarios and found that Xcel Energy’s proposal to join the relatively small and disjointed Markets+, run by the Arkansas-based Southwest Power Pool (SPP), would increase both costs and greenhouse gas emissions compared with other options. Compared to Markets+, participating in the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) would yield between $4.2 and $13.2 million per year greater savings through 2060.
Topics: Press Releases, Western RTO, Brian Turner, Colorado
E&E News reports that the Bonneville Power Administration has opted to join the Southwest Power Pool's Markets+ day-ahead market instead of the California Independent System Operator's Extended Day Ahead Market, a decision with major implications for the Western power grid's future. United's Leah Rubin Shen condemned the move, cautioning that it risks creating a fragmented market structure, increasing costs, and reducing grid reliability.
Topics: United In The News, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO
Judiciary Committee passes SB 540 11 to 0 vote with new amendments that further safeguard California’s clean energy leadership and consumer protections
SACRAMENTO, CA—The Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 540 by a vote of 11 to 0, advancing legislation that continues to balance diverse stakeholder priorities while creating a pathway to reliable and affordable clean energy. SB 540 creates a framework for regional energy coordination that expands clean energy deployment, preserves California’s clean energy goals, and protects state authority.
Topics: Press Releases, Leah Rubin Shen, Western RTO, California