Advanced Energy Perspectives

On March 16, the New York Public Service Commission quietly adopted a significant advancement in rate design. It did so as a result of a long proceeding on standby and buyback rates, in which AEE argued that owners of distributed generation not eligible for net metering (such as standalone storage facilities and institutions with combined-heat-and-power systems) were being overcharged for the customer-specific components of those rates. While the PSC action seemingly addressed a technical matter, the impact is a big win for advanced energy in New York, as it will lead to new rates much more favorable for a range of distributed energy resources (DERs).

A new trend is emerging as a growing number of governors and state legislatures are taking action to electrify their state-owned motor vehicles. By accelerating their own transition to clean transportation fleets, states are leading by example while saving taxpayer money, lowering maintenance requirements, reducing emissions, and contributing to energy independence.

On April 8, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed to a $220 billion state budget with the New York State Legislature that commits the state to deploying a fully zero-emission school bus fleet by 2035, thus positioning New York to become the first state in the nation to end the use of fossil fuel-powered school buses and provide 100% clean rides for students. Working in concert with partners and other advocates, AEE was deeply involved in building support for electrifying schools in both executive and legislative branches and takes pride in the nation-leading action taken by leaders in the Empire State. Now, the advanced energy industry, including many of AEE’s members, are poised to assist New York’s 950 school districts with a rapid transition to zero-emission school buses.

If transportation electrification is a puzzle, Governor Sisolak just put another critical piece in place. Last Thursday, he announced that Nevada would be joining a multi-state memorandum of understanding (MOU) that commits the Silver State to collaborating with 16 other states, the District of Columbia, and the Province of Quebec, to accelerate the market for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The goal of the MOU is to ensure that 30% of all in-state sales of trucks, buses, and vans are zero-emission by 2030, and 100% by 2050. Now representing nearly 40% of the U.S. population, the consortium of states will be a powerful market mover in a space that’s already got plenty of momentum behind it.

On Saturday, March 12, the Virginia General Assembly (GA) adjourned its 2022 legislative session. Left unfinished were the Commonwealth’s biannual budget and a set of judicial appointments, necessitating a Special Session in the weeks ahead. Nonetheless, adjournment sine die at the end of the always frantic 60-day session marked the end of substantive legislative action. While the main focus was defense of the advanced energy progress made over the past two years, which was mostly successful, a couple of small but meaningful wins added to the total. And there was plenty of drama along the way.