Advanced Energy Perspectives

In recent years, Massachusetts has outlined – and consistently reinforced – one of the clearest and most unambiguous visions for the future of clean buildings and clean heat: electrification. This includes the Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU’s) landmark order establishing regulatory principles and framework to wind down investments in the Commonwealth’s natural gas pipeline distribution system.  

United's latest report with Demand Side Analytics identifies ways in which the Commonwealth could support electrification without abandoning its energy conservation and long-term system cost containment imperatives. What we discovered: A time-of-use (TOU) electric rate, paired with enhanced energy efficiency efforts, can significantly reduce residential energy bills for electrified homes while mitigating rate increases for all homes.

California is making enormous strides in its race to 100% clean energy, but rapidly rising energy prices are threatening to hold us back.

Electricity prices have surged 127% over the past decade, with some customers seeing increases of over 60% just in the last four years. These rising costs put a significant strain on household budgets, especially in disadvantaged communities, and pose a growing threat to the success of California’s clean energy and electrification goals.

The need for new advanced energy generation in Pennsylvania has never been more urgent. PJM’s most recent capacity auction exposed a deep imbalance between supply and demand: prices surged more than sixfold, which means skyrocketing electricity cost increases for consumers are coming in June. Meanwhile, the development of advanced energy projects has been stalled by bureaucratic hurdles and outdated alternative portfolio standards, which plateaued in 2021. 

It is clear that what Pennsylvania needs is a comprehensive plan to modernize the grid and ensure reliable, affordable power for the 21st century. Governor Shapiro’s "Lightning Plan" marks a step in the right direction. While Advanced Energy United strongly supports the full plan, we want to highlight two key bills: RESET (Renewable Energy Standards and Energy Transition Act) and PRESS (Promoting Renewable Energy, Storage, and Sustainability Act) which have the potential to open markets in Pennsylvania.

Last week was an exciting and inspiring time for Advanced Energy United as our team and member companies, including NRG, GoodLeap, Utilidata, Monarch Strategic Ventures, LS Power, DNV Energy Services, Sunrun, Pattern Energy, and CTC Global, proudly engaged at two important national convenings: the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Energy Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

After a robust exchange of testimony, arguments, and briefings among stakeholders, the fate of We Energies’ (WEC) proposal to spend $1.2 billion on a new gas plant – a plant the utility plans to use just 10-20% of the time – now rests with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. Formal proceedings before the PSC concluded on April 11, and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.