Brandon Garcia

SACRAMENTO, CA — As legislative leaders finalize the state budget, Advanced Energy United is glad to see continued funding for the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, an important state program that pays for clean emergency power when the grid is under stress.

Utility Dive reports that California’s nation-leading virtual power plant (VPP) program, called the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, could lose funding under Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal. United’s Brandon Garcia stated that DSGS is one of the most cost-effective and scalable tools California has to reduce peak demand and bolster the grid and urged state leaders to preserve stable long-term funding for the program through 2026 and beyond.

The Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees advanced legislation aimed at cutting costs and protecting ratepayers, but stalled novel utility reforms

The Governor’s May revision excludes critical funding for the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program at a time of rising demand and affordability concerns

Utility Dive reports that California legislators have advanced Senate Bill 913, which would update state resource adequacy rules to allow aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) like stationary residential batteries and electric vehicles to qualify as resource adequacy capacity. United’s Brandon García stated that the bill recognizes the substantial role DERs play in the state’s energy system and their potential to mitigate rising infrastructure costs.

PV Magazine reports that California Senator Josh Becker has introduced legislation (SB 913) that would require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to update its Resource Adequacy rules to allow aggregated distributed energy resources to compete alongside traditional power plants. United’s Brandon García spoke to the benefits of the bill in lowering energy costs, increasing grid reliability, and maximizing the use of existing infrastructure.