Advanced Energy Perspectives

Photo by Tom Burke, used under a Creative Commons license. 

The most important innovation coming along in electricity may not be a cutting-edge technology or a first-in-the-nation government policy. Rather, it might be a subtle, yet transformative, change in the way utilities meet their resource needs. Instead of prescribing specific technologies to meet future demand – typically, power plants of a particular type – and buying it or building it themselves, utilities are increasingly defining their needs and allowing all technologies and services that can meet those needs to slug it out. It’s an approach that can save money for customers, relieve regulators of unnecessary risk, and open up opportunities for advanced energy companies of all kinds.

Image by Disney/ABC Television Group, used under Creative Commons license

What does 2018 hold for advanced energy? Plenty, when it comes to federal and state policy issues that could make or break business prospects for advanced energy companies. I hope all you advanced energy advocates are well rested, as the new year is going to be a busy one! Here is what we at AEE see on the policy horizon, with some opportunities – and battles – coming sooner than you’d think.

On May 16, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley solidified his legacy as a clean energy champion when he vetoed a bill (HB 1168) that would have effectively placed a moratorium on wind power for much of the state. AEE sent a letter to the governor last month, joining a chorus of industry advocates urging this veto action.

This piece was originally published at The Hill. 

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, a number of federal tax code provisions critical to advanced energy growth disappeared. That’s because Congress has allowed itself to make tax law by inertia. Without Congress saying a word or taking a vote, millions of dollars of tax credits to bolster investment and entrepreneurship simply vanished. Congress should act now to extend these tax provisions retroactively.

It has been a busy couple of weeks on Capitol Hill, with legislation introduced to open up Master Limited Partnerships, bipartisan meetings around energy tax reform, and a Senate hearing on hydropower.