February 5, 2025

Dear Members,

Our industry is always a dynamic one and this year is shaping up to be one filled with challenges... yet, I remain optimistic about the tremendous opportunities for our industry. Advanced Energy United is not just ready, but already hard at work to meet the moment.

I am pleased to announce that Jennifer Bumgarner will join United as SVP Strategy, a role that will work across our programs to shape policy strategies and lead our fundraising. She joins our new VP of Sales & Business Development, Rahiem Swann, whom many of you had the chance to meet at our Leadership Forum last December, as well as Allison Ingram, EVP of Finance & Operations, and Amisha Rai, SVP of Advocacy, who oversees execution of our policy work and campaigns in key venues across the country. Together, with our full complement of expert and talented Managing Directors who lead teams on communications, sales, member engagement, finance, or policy advocacy, we are committed to meeting the challenges ahead with you, our members. 

When it comes to defending your technologies and their market opportunities, we will always step up. In response to the recently announced “energy emergency” declaration, for instance, I spoke with several media outlets in late January to elevate the critical role our industry plays in all facets of our energy system and economy (see quotes below). Additionally, this week, we launched the website: Unlocking Advanced Energy to highlight stories about how our member companies are leveraging tax credit benefits to create jobs, improve grid resilience, generate new homegrown electricity, and lower energy costs for consumers. Read below in our Federal Priorities update. 

I know our industry is well positioned to meet the moment and I look forward to continuing our work together to do just that. We are here for you and for our industry.

Best,

Heather

• New York Times: “A freeze on investing in the technologies we need to power our grid and vehicles threatens our ability to lower costs, create energy abundance, and win the race for global energy dominance,” said Heather O’Neill, president of Advanced Energy United, a trade group whose members include wind, solar and battery firms.
• Marketplace on NPR: “If this is an emergency, why aren’t we using all the tools in the toolbox, particularly the ones that have been proving themselves out over the past handful of years as they’ve come onto the grid?” O’Neill asked.

Heather O'Neill,

CEO & President

2025 Core Portfolio Review Sessions

United held two Portfolio Review Sessions for all members to review the success criteria related to industry segments on January 28 -29. You can find the recordings from our session on Large Scale Development and Demand Side Management, Distributed Energy Resources, and Grid of the Future in the Member Portal and our full Portfolio if you have not yet downloaded it, here. If you have any questions, please reach out to membership@advancedenergyunited.org.

United Launches "Unlocking Advanced Energy" to Highlight Tax Credit Benefits

On February 3, United launched the Unlocking Advanced Energy website. The website features a range of static and video stories from advanced energy projects and facilities in states across the U.S. that illustrate the tangible economic and reliability benefits that flow from the advanced energy tax provisions. It is part of a larger messaging campaign United is launching both in Washington, D.C. and state capitols across the country to support and defend these policies as debate begins around tax reform.

United Hosts Webinar on What's at Stake in a New Political Era

As the Trump Administration returns to office, the energy industry will aim to emphasize the vital role it holds in shaping both our energy system and economy. In a webinar on January 29, United and experts from member companies, including, Zolaikha Strong from Generac and Brian George from Google, reviewed the legacy of the Biden Administration and the early actions of the incoming Administration, exploring their long-term implication for business outcomes and the broader advanced energy sector. View the recording here.

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Announces New Comprehensive Energy Plan

Governor Josh Shapiro announced on January 30 a new comprehensive energy plan for Pennsylvania that includes a reintroduction of Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER), additional incentives for energy efficiency, and siting and permitting reform. United met with Governor Shapiro and legislators throughout 2024 to express our support for PRESS and more recently to express support for siting reform. The “Lightning Plan” as it’s being called was presented with a diverse array of partners along with constructive criticism of PJM’s interconnection queue. United will continue to work with the Governor’s office and legislative leaders to push through these critical market-opening policies.

New York's Governor Reverses Position on Energy Funding

Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State and Executive Budget failed to include stable, long-term funding for clean energy. She backtracked on her commitment to begin implementing the long-awaited NY Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI), expected to generate billions in revenue. United will continue to push for strong clean energy policies and funding in New York. For additional information, please contact Kristina Persaud.

Illinois Legislature Passes Pared Down Energy Storage, REC Contract Legislation

On January 7, the last day of the lame duck session, the Illinois Legislature passed a pared down version of SB 3959, which had been a comprehensive package to establish a statewide storage procurement target, VPP programs, and several provisions to ensure the state gets back on track to reach its 100% renewable targets. Passage of this legislation represents tremendous progress on several fronts: enabling faster renewable deployment by guaranteeing payment for contracts that developers of large-scale wind and solar make with the Illinois Power Agency. The bill also initiates a workshop process at the Illinois Commerce Commission that will conclude with a report on April 1 to determine the procurement size and model contract for an initial storage procurement of at least 1,500 MW by August 26. United continues to work with a broad industry coalition to advance a comprehensive bill package this Spring with a larger storage procurement targets, VPP programs and other key market-expanding provisions.

California Governor's Budget Reports Surplus but Fails to Take Advantage of Climate Bond Funds

Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025-26 proposed budget touts a modest $363 million surplus but only appropriates $2.7 billion of the $10 billion Climate Bond passed by California voters last November. On the positive side, it proposes a $50 million increase to the Demand-Side Grid Support (DSGS) program using Climate Bond funds. However, the budget summary also contains a narrative portion on electricity affordability, which puts the blame for rate increases solely on legacy net energy metering (NEM) and utility wildfire mitigation but doesn’t propose any specific affordability measures. United issued a statement in response to the proposed budget, calling for clean energy and energy resilience programs to remain core to the state’s strategy.

Michigan Court of Appeals Upholds Implementation of New Siting Law, Grants Intervention for Industry Coalition

On January 14, the Michigan appellate court granted United, Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC), and Clean Grid Alliance’s (CGA) intervention and denied the request for an injunction to stop the 2023 siting and permitting law for large scale wind, solar and batteries. This decision allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to continue with its implementation of the new law while the merits arguments of the townships’ appeal is argued in the court. United will continue to work with our co-intervening partners as the case now moves into the briefing stage 

United Kicks Off Robust Regulatory Engagement in Colorado

United is intervening in three major dockets at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The three dockets include Xcel’s Just Transition Solicitation (JTS), Distribution System Plan (DSP), and VPP tariff proposal. Details on our plan for engagement are below. 

• The JTS has become a large, full-fledged resource plan with up to 14,000 MW of additional capacity proposed by 2031. Our planned focus includes reducing the need for new gas capacity, leveraging aggregated DERs, clean energy tariffs for new large load, and zero-carbon firm technologies.
• The DSP is the first since SB 24-218 (a bill that United championed last year), and it proposes roughly $7 billion of investment, including in hosting capacity, non-wires alternatives, and load flexibility. Our focus will be on supporting DER and electrification deployment and leveraging load flexibility. 
• The VPP tariff, also required by SB 218, is due to be filed in early February. United is hopeful this will be a nation-leading example of an open-access, pay-for-performance VPP.

For more information, please reach out to Sheila Hallstrom and Brian Turner.

Counterspark Ramps Up for Targeted Campaigns Supporting GETs in Key States

As state legislative sessions gear up, so does Counterspark(United’s c4 organization). With GETs and grid readiness legislation at play in in states across the country this year Counterspark sent a series of educational emails about transmission to educate supporters about transmission in recent weeks – ahead of expected legislation. A new video about GETs will be shared with supporters and other clean energy advocates to deepen education and get the public more excited about transmission. Counterspark is also planning robust advertising campaigns to support grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) in New Mexico, Connecticut, and Colorado. The campaigns will begin as the bills start to be heard within each state. If you have questions about Counterspark's work on these or any other bills, ask to discuss this work in your regional call.

Rhode Island Unveils Fleet of Electric School Buses and Charging Stations

On January 28, United’s Kat Burnham, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, and United member company Highland Electric Fleets joined in the celebration of the deployment of 24 electric school buses and individual charging stations at Blackstone Valley Prep, a Rhode Island charter school. Blackstone Valley Prep now has the largest fleet of electric school buses in the state. The charging infrastructure and EV buses made by Highland Electric will provide healthier and more sustainable transportation for students. 

Ongoing Education with the Texas Public Utility Commission

This month, United hosted the third in a series of educational briefings with Texas Chair Thomas Gleeson and initiated a similar series with the newest Commissioner, Courtney Hjaltman. Through this work, we’ve explored high interest topics in Texas including virtual power plants, clean hydrogen, and energy industry macro-trends.

United Pushes Back on MISO's Expedited Resources Adequacy Study Process

United continues to engage as MISO proceeds with its Expedited Resource Adequacy Study (ERAS) process. ERAS is intended to expedite the approval of new generator interconnections needed for resource adequacy. In addition to hosting a discussion with members and Andy Witmeier from MISO, we also set up a conversation between members and Chair Dann Scripps from the Michigan Public Service Commission to share our perspectives and concerns. We are comparing alternative proposals and preparing to submit feedback to MISO after its final design presentation at the Planning Advisory Committee meeting on February 16. MISO plans to file with FERC in mid-March.

Commissioner Christie is Appointed to FERC Chair 

On January 20, Commissioner Mark Christie was promoted Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Chair Christie has served as a Commissioner since his original appointment by President Trump in July 2020. Chair Christie supports reliability, affordability and state participation at FERC and RTO/ISOs. His term expires on June 30 of this year, and it is uncertain if he will be reappointed or if the President will appoint another Chair. There are currently three Democrats and two Republicans on the Commission. The Chair has the power to set the agenda but still needs a majority to issue orders. United issued a statement on Chair Christie's appointment and can be seen here.

United Continues to Push for Improvements to FERC Order 2222 Compliance in SPP 

SPP submitted a further Order 2222 compliance filing in December. The filing outlines rules for both single and multi-nodal aggregations, metering and telemetry system requirements, dispute resolution procedures, and more. SPP has proposed a 2030 timeline for implementing these changes, a pace too slow for effectively integrating distributed energy resources. Additionally, SPP has recommended a limited inclusion of multi-nodal aggregations, with a 112 MW cap across its primary footprint. We submitted comments on January 3, focused on concerns with the multi-nodal aggregation proposal, timeline, and double counting. SPP responded with a Motion for Leave to Answer and Answer in response to ours and other comments on January 21.

United Opposes PJM's Queue Jumping Proposal, Supports Surplus Interconnection Reforms

In December, PJM submitted a FERC 205 filing proposing to supplement its ongoing interconnection reform with a Resource Reliability Initiative (“RRI”) that would allow dispatchable resources not currently in the interconnection queue to move to the front of the line in PJM’s transitional queue. The filing has received significant support from many stakeholders as a purported solution to PJM’s resource adequacy concerns but faces strong opposition from clean energy developers with projects already in the queue who in effect may get pushed aside. United continues to work aggressively with other clean energy advocates, meeting with PJM leadership, filing board letters and a FERC protest detailing our concerns around the RRI proposal and have urged PJM and FERC to modify the plan in a way to ensure clean energy projects are not negatively impacted. PJM separately filed reforms to its “Surplus Interconnection Service” that will make it easier for resources like battery storage to be added to existing facilities. This is a positive interconnection reform that we have advocated for and on which we filed supportive comments at FERC.

United Pushes Back on PJM "Must Offer" Capacity Market Filing 

In December, PJM submitted multiple filings at FERC for revisions to the capacity auction design and interconnection reform. The initial PJM auction design filing focused on including Reliability Must Run (“RMR”) units as capacity resources – the exclusion of RMR units from the last auction were identified as the largest contributor to the higher auction prices. This was followed by a filing requiring all capacity market resources to be ‘must-offer’ resources, including intermittent resources. United, along with our clean energy trade partners, filed a letter with the PJM Board detailing our concerns with must-offer for intermittent resources, and we subsequently filed a protest of the must-offer proposal at FERC. United also submitted a limited protest to a complaint filed by consumer advocates in PJM to argue against proposed changes that would undercut demand response participation in the capacity market. 

Transitioning to Local Leadership with Project Redwood

United launched Project Redwood, a new initiative to build a network of former federal professionals to support the rapid clean energy transition at the state level. We are leveraging our connections in the states to support jobseekers find their next role to continue their careers in clean energy and public service. For more information, reach out to redwood@advancedenergyunited.org.

Webinar: What States Can Learn from the Texas Energy Deployment Playbook (Virtual, February 12)

Texas stands as the national leader in installed utility-scale solar and wind capacity and is closing in on California for the top spot in grid-scale battery deployment. Join Advanced Energy United as we examine how the Lone Star State’s unique market structure has driven significant advanced energy deployment and what risks lie ahead as the state navigates reliability concerns, load growth, and shifting political priorities in its 89th legislative session. Register here.

California "Meet & Greet" Lobby Day (Sacramento, CA, February 18)

United will host a “Meet & Greet” lobby day at the California State Capitol. The opportunity will allow United members to connect with key policymakers, build relationships, and kick off meaningful conversations about our priorities and areas of shared interest. This event is open to the West Regional Working Group. Register here.

Winter NARUC Engagement (Washington, D.C., February 23-26)

Join United for member engagement with PUC commissioners and staff at the upcoming Annual NARUC Policy Summit in Anaheim, CA. If you are in the United Decision-Maker Education and Engagement Working Group and would like more information, please contact Christina Kurre.

• Sunday, February 23 at 6:30pm – Clean Energy Industries Reception
• Monday, February 24 at 6pm – Dinner with Commissioners (15 cmsrs from 12 states rsvp'ed: CA, CO, HI, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, NY, WA, WI, and WY)
• Tuesday, February 25 at 12pm – Lunch with Commission Staff (12 staffers from 9 states rsvp'ed: AR, DC, GA, HI, IA, KY, LA, NC, SC) 
• Meetings with NARUC Committee Leadership
  • Meeting with Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson (AZ), NARUC Subcommittee on Education and Research
  • Meeting with Chair Hayley Williamson (NV), NARUC Board of Directors
  • Meeting with NARUC Energy Resources and Environment (ERE) Staff Subcommittee Leadership: Chair Karen Olesky (NV) and Vice Chair Wally Nixon (AR) 
  • Meeting with NARUC Electricity Committee Leadership: Chair Kim Duffley (NC), Co-Vice Chair Kelsey Bagot (VA) and Co-Vice Chair John Hammond (ID)

Arizona Joint Legislative Transmission Briefing (Phoenix, AZ, February 24)

Our team is organizing a Transmission and Infrastructure Briefing for the Arizona Senate Natural Resources and House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committees. This hybrid lunch-and-learn will cover transmission’s role in grid reliability, clean energy deployment, and meeting energy demand. This event is open to the West Regional Working Group. Register here.

Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance Lobby Day (Austin, TX, February 25)

Join your fellow Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) members for a valuable day of advocacy at the Texas Capitol. TAEBA's Lobby Day is your opportunity to meet with key legislators and promote policies that support the advanced energy industry, helping to expand markets and advance clean, affordable, and reliable energy solutions across Texas. This event is open to the Central Regional Working Group. Register here.

Wisconsin Policy Briefing and Lobby Day (Madison, WI, March 6)

Join United in Madison, Wisconsin for our inaugural state lobby and policy briefing day. We will spend the day meeting with and educating state legislators and key state-level decision-makers about advanced energy technologies and how they can benefit the state of Wisconsin. This event is open to the Central Regional Working Group. Register here.

Participate at the USHCC Legislative Summit (Washington, D.C., March 24-26)

Join the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Legislative Summit this Spring in Washington, D.C. The Legislative Summit stands as the USHCC’s flagship advocacy gathering. It provides attendees with an opportunity to connect with business executives, corporate leaders, policymakers and government officials across the political spectrum. You can find more information and registration details here.

Join the Advanced Energy Coalition Sponsorship (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. Connect with thought leaders and forge partnerships with our Advanced Energy Coalition sponsorship. For more information, contact Kate Johnson.

Join United at the USHCC Energy Summit (Santa Fe, NM, April 29-May 1)

Join United at the USHCC Energy Summit from April 29 – May 1 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Summit aims to bring together key stakeholders from the energy sector to share insights on emerging issues and highlight the critical role of Hispanic businesses in the industry. You can find more information and registration details here.

New Mexico Advanced Energy Industry CEO Roundtable 

United will host an industry roundtable in New Mexico with Governor Lujan Grisham in late spring, following the legislative session. Attendance is open to CEOs of West Regional Working Group member companies. A date and location to be announced soon. For any questions, contact Michael Barrio.

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