April 2, 2025 

A monthly roundup of activity and progress made towards our mission to transform public policy to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy. 

Insight Engine™ is Now Powered by Generative AI 

United’s Insight Engine™ platform released new generative AI capabilities to help streamline regulatory research! Instead of reading through complex regulatory documents, instantly generate concise summaries of any document available on the platform. And more AI-driven features are on the way! For more information or a demo of the tool, contact the Insight Engine team.

Transmission Bill Sponsored by United Progresses in Colorado

The Colorado Grid Optimization Act (SB25-127), an advanced transmission technologies bill sponsored by United, passed its first Senate policy committee on March 26 with bipartisan support. In preparation for a floor vote in the coming weeks, United is coordinating with industry and environmental groups to maintain strong momentum for this bill. Meanwhile, United is also reviewing other legislation looking at building new transmission in existing state highway rights-of-way (HB25-1292) and the Polis Administration’s forthcoming “clean energy planning by 2040” bill, both of which we expect to activate in support of during the remainder of session.

Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance Drives Results at the Texas Capitol

United’s Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) hit the ground running this March at the Texas Legislature, testifying in favor of key bills that support advanced energy deployment. We testified in support of SB 1202 and SB 1252 which aim to expand access to residential backup power systems. We also testified in support of HB 3069, supporting thoughtful improvements to the state’s transmission planning process. And crucially, we testified against SB 819, a sweeping renewable energy permitting bill that threatens to undermine clean energy growth in Texas. TAEBA’s presence and messaging are helping shape critical policy decisions at a pivotal moment for grid modernization in Texas 

New Mexico Session Adjourns; Transmission Bill Heads to Governor

New Mexico’s 2025 legislative session brought both progress and setbacks for clean energy. Our top win was House Bill (HB) 93, which passed with strong bipartisan support and now awaits the Governor’s signature. HB 93 requires utilities to incorporate grid-enhancing technologies and advanced conductors into their planning, helping to maximize existing transmission capacity and reduce costs. However, other key priorities—HB 13, which focused on distribution system planning and electrification, and HB 289, which would have supported geothermal development—advanced to the Senate but were unable to cross the finish line before session ended. Despite the setbacks, HB 93’s passage marks meaningful progress, and our efforts on the other bills lay the groundwork for future wins.

United Responds to Governor's Action on Legislation in Virginia

United is disappointed to note that though the Virginia General Assembly provided Governor Glenn Youngkin with bills that would have lowered costs for ratepayers and eased strain on the grid (Distributed Generation Expansion bill HB 1883/SB 1040 and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) pilot program HB 2346/SB 1100) he opted to play partisan politics and used his veto/amendment authority to suggest a rollback of the Virginia Clean Energy Act (VCEA) in HB 1883, and diminished the VPP pilot program to a mere State Corporation Commission study. He additionally pushed for a VCEA rollback in the long-duration storage bill and vetoed the EV rural infrastructure bill (HB 1791/SB 1225) and integrated resource plan (IRP) reform (HB 2413/SB 1021). We will continue to engage the Assembly in the Reconvene Session where they can respond to the Governor’s actions.

United Releases Pro-Competition Study with New York Coalition

On March 25, United joined the Independent Power Producers of New York and other members of the Affordable Clean Power Alliance in releasing a comprehensive report that shows the importance of competitive power supply for New York consumers. The report provides data analyses that demonstrate reduced costs for customers, accelerated emissions reductions, and lower risks of stranded costs when power generation comes from a competitive market.

Illinois Virtual Power Plant Advocacy Gains Momentum

United is leading the charge on virtual power plant (VPP) policy in Illinois’ Spring Energy Omnibus. United is educating lawmakers, coordinating with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, and planning two lobby days in April to build support for VPP provisions in HB 3758/SB 2497. Meanwhile, United continues to push back on Commonwealth Edison’s (ComEds) narrow definition of VPPs in Illinois Commerce Commission workshops and is advocating for a more inclusive, technology-neutral approach.

United Files Testimony on Net Energy Metering Case in Virginia

United filed joint testimony with Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (CHESSA) in Appalachian Power Company’s petition to change net energy metering, which would drastically reduce compensation for rooftop solar exports. Our testimony counters the utility’s faulty support for revisions and ask the Commission to reject the proposal in its entirety.

United Urges Smart Planning for New York Grid Electrification 

United filed joint comments with ACE NY recommending enhancements to the New York Joint Utilities Long-Term Proactive Planning Framework on March 31. Our recommendations include improvements to Load Forecasting & Transparency, Planning & Solutions Design, and Streamlining Grid Upgrades & EV Charging Interconnection.

Counterspark Spreads the Message on United's Energy Initiatives

Counterspark (United’s c4 organization) has been working toward spreading awareness on United-supported initiatives across the country through ad initiatives. Members can see ads running across digital, print, and broadcast platforms about energy initiatives focusing on siting in Texas and Indiana, Affordable Grid Act in Maryland, Grid-Enhancing Technologies & Power Up in New Mexico, VCEA defense in Virginia, list-building for future work in Connecticut, and defense efforts in Arizona. Learn more about Counterspark here.

United Continues Tax Engagement as 21 Republicans Signal Support

On March 9, a group of 21 House Republicans from across the country, led by New York Republican Andrew Garbarino, sent a letter to House Ways & Mean Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO 8^th) highlighting the benefits of advanced energy tax policies and urging the committee to proceed with caution in their reform efforts. The letter came as United continues to meet with House lawmakers, including signers of the letter, and with policymakers across the country around federal tax policy, communicating the benefits captured in Unlocking Advanced Energy. Counterspark likewise mobilized constituents in Colorado, Indiana, Arizona and beyond to thank signatories of the Garbarino letter.

United Kicks Off 2025 Gubernatorial Education Programming

United will be kicking off our 2025-2026 gubernatorial education programming with a roundtable conversation with New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of April 9. This roundtable is the first in a series of engagements United will organize with leading gubernatorial candidates across the country in connection with races taking place in New Jersey and Virginia this year and across multiple states in 2026.

United Supports Local Transmission Planning Complaint at FERC

United weighed in with support for a Complaint filed at FERC arguing that lack of oversight of locally-planned transmission upgrades at both the state and RTO/FERC level is resulting in significant unnecessary cost to consumers, and asking that the Commission take additional steps to exercise oversight of projects resulting from local planning. United bolstered many of the arguments in the Complaint and underscored that the progress made in Order No. 1920 will be insufficient to address the regulatory gap. Better oversight of local transmission projects, coupled with improved regional planning via Order 1920, will ensure that more of the money spent on transmission goes to efficient higher-voltage regional lines that bring greater net benefits.

United Continues Advocacy at MISO on ERAS Proposal, and Prepares for Fight at FERC

As MISO finalized its stakeholder process to develop an “Expedited Resource Addition Study” (ERAS) process, United submitted a final set of comments to MISO outlining our concerns with the proposal. Leading up to the FERC filing, United held several meetings with FERC Commissioners’ advisors, FERC staff, and state Commissioners in the MISO region to share our concerns. In these meetings with state Commissioners, we also encouraged advocacy to drive improvements. Now that the proposal has been filed at FERC, we are working on a protest that addresses many of the issues we previously raised with MISO.

United Raises Critical Issues in Meetings with ISO-NE Staff

At meetings between the Alternative Resources sector of the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) and ISO-NE staff, United and its members brought forward topics critical to our industry, including the implications of delayed implementation of FERC Order No. 2023 (something we also raised in comments to FERC), ISO’s progress on capacity accreditation modeling and some of our specific concerns and recommendations, and a request to start publishing real-time marginal CO2 rates. United is working to put forward some of these topics and others as part of the 2026 ISO work plan prioritization process.

Our Decision-Maker Education Team Wants to Hear from You  

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is collecting Summer NARUC abstract submissions. Advanced Energy United will be submitting panels and we welcome written feedback, speaker suggestions, and additional panel ideas from our Advocate-level and Leader-level members. Please share your comments with Policy Principal, Christina Kurre by Sunday, April 6.

Share Tax Credit Success Stories on Your Social Platforms

Counterspark has created a social media toolkit for members to utilize on their social platforms in support of United’s “Unlocking Advanced Energy” website – a website that showcases the tangible benefits of advanced energy projects and the suite of federal advanced energy tax policies that supported them. View the social media toolkit here.

Register for Our Colorado Lobby Day (Denver, CO, April 15)

Please join us for United’s annual Lobby Day at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, April 15. This event is open to members of the West Regional Working Group. Over the course of the day, United staff and members will meet with state officials to discuss legislative priorities for this session, including key transmission and clean energy planning bills. Contact Emilie Olson if you have any questions. Register here.

Join Us for Our Lobby Day on HB 3758/SB 2497 (Springfield, IL, April 30)

United is hosting a lobby day on April 30 focused on HB 3758/SB 2497, an energy package put forth by United alongside other national and state-based clean industry associations. This package establishes a 15GW energy storage procurement target, creates virtual power plan programs for solar + storage and demand response, and makes reforms to utility interconnection processes, among other provisions. Members will have an opportunity to showcase their technologies and activity in the state of Illinois while advocating for key policies within this package. Register here.

Join United at the American Association of Black in Energy National Conference (Atlanta, GA, April 28-May 2) 

Join United to raise the profile of the advanced energy industry with the American Association of Black in Energy (AABE). The AABE National Conference provides an impactful forum for more than 1000 energy professionals every year. AABE boasts a membership of 1,600 energy professionals in over 39 chapters nationwide, representing all energy industry sectors. Register here.   

Join United for our Spring Federal Tax Policy Fly-in (Washington, D.C., May 7) 

As the conversation around tax reform heats up in D.C., join United's Federal team for a day of meetings with key lawmakers and staff to share advanced energy's federal tax priorities. Attendees will sit down with a range of Congressional offices, with a particular focus on House Ways & Means, as well as influential energy allies in the Republican Caucus. Register here.

Grid Edge Innovation Workshop (San Jose, CA, May 27)

United is facilitating a Forum and workshop in partnership with DTECH Events at the May 2025 DTECH Data Centers & AI in San Jose, CA. This three-hour Forum and workshop will showcase AI-powered automation and advanced tools that are helping drive improvements to an increasingly complex grid along with a solutions-oriented discussion about the policy and regulatory mechanisms needed to ensure that utilities can take advantage of such tools. Use United’s promo code DPARTNER1 for a 20% discount on your registration. Register here.

Join the American Clean Power Association at CLEANPOWER in COLOR (Phoenix, AZ, May 19-22)

The American Clean Power Association has launched CLEANPOWER in COLOR, a forum designed to empower, elevate, and connect mid-level professionals of color in the clean power industry. This event is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities for professionals of diverse backgrounds in clean power. Attendees will access tailored tools, actionable strategies, and meaningful inspiration designed to empower them to excel, advance their careers, and lead with confidence in the clean power sector. We encourage United members to consider sponsorship. Learn more and register here.

Join Our Summer and Regional NARUC Engagement (May 18 - July 30)

Save the date for the following NARUCs. United will be doing member programming at them all:

• New England (NECPUC) May 18-20 in Mystic, CT
• Western (Western NARUC) June 1-4 in Portland, OR
• Southeast (SEARUC) June 8-11 in San Antonio, TX
• Mid-America (MARC) June 22-25 in Indianapolis, IN
• Mid-Atlantic (MACRUC) June 22-25 in Louisville, KY
• Summer NARUC (national) July 27-30 in Boston, MA

Note that engagement at the regional NARUCs is determined by regional working group membership. Contact Christina Kurre if you are planning to be there or have any questions.

Share your feedback on the format of this Member Report by contacting us at membership@advancedenergyunited.org.