Advanced Energy Perspectives

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.

Addendum July 16, 2025: On July 2, 2025 the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) released its written order for the decision on the Oak Creek gas plant. Despite intervenor testimony demonstrating that energy efficiency programs, virtual power plants (VPPs), and distributed generation could provide a cost-effective alternative to part of the requested load, the PSCW approved the project in full. Despite WEC Energy Group artificially capping the amount of wind allowed in its modeling and not considering any kind of VPPs, the Commission considers this project compliant with the Energy Priorities Law. The order directs the opening of an investigation examining cost overruns and how to develop a consistent approach across the state. Additionally, the PSCW directs WEC to include an analysis of a robust and comprehensive demand response program in their next rate case, which will be in 2026.

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.

In the rapidly evolving energy landscape, a growing number of distributed energy resources (DERs) are being deployed on the grid, providing flexibility, resilience, cost savings, and clean energy to communities. However, as the number of grid-connected DERs grows, their full potential will only be realized if the right grid infrastructure is in place, including transmission systems that complement and support DER deployment.  

Yes, that’s right; getting the most out of DERs is not just about making changes to the distribution system. A new report by Strategen, Better Together: The Benefits of Coordination in the Development of Transmission and Distributed Energy Resources, explores the symbiotic relationship between transmission and DERs. 

On August 29, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (the Department) issued a pivotal order that could shape the state’s future energy landscape. This ruling marks a significant, though incremental, step toward modernizing the Commonwealth’s distribution grid, offering a preliminary roadmap to guide Massachusetts on its journey toward a more advanced energy infrastructure.