Building Decarbonization

In an era of growing energy demand and federal rollbacks, states cannot afford to leave cost-effective, commonsense energy efficiency solutions on the table. Our blog explores how energy-efficient building codes can be used as a powerful tool for states to increase grid flexibility, meet rising load growth, and ensure long-term energy affordability.

New York is at a crossroads. Despite renewable energy’s rapid growth, accounting for over 90% of new capacity added in 2024, President Trump has paused energy funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is stalling onshore and offshore wind. With our energy future at risk, state policymakers must step up to ensure a reliable and affordable energy future for all New Yorkers.

United’s Kate Shonk discusses the progress Illinois has made towards a clean energy future over the last several years, including the passage of legislation like the 2021 Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). However, more work is needed to fully achieve 100% clean across the electric and building sectors.

Utility Dive features an opinion piece by United’s Sarah Steinberg and Current Energy Group’s Brad Cebulko, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and strategic planning by state regulators and utilities to ensure that the transition to clean, electric buildings does not compromise the reliability and affordability of energy services for customers.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore solidified his stance as a leader in clean energy advocacy with the announcement of plans to bolster Maryland’s commitment to achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. United’s Nick Bibby and Shawn Kelly highlight both the benefits of Moore’s Executive Order, as well as the challenges that remain in developing robust electric and gas infrastructure plans to support Maryland’s electrification goals.

Advanced Energy United’s new white paper, “Regulatory Approaches for a Cost-Effective Gas Transition: Ratemaking, Incentives, and Other Tools,” offers an overarching regulatory toolkit to facilitate a cost-effective gas transition in the near-, intermediate- and long-term.

This white paper, authored by Strategen, offers an overarching regulatory toolkit to facilitate a cost-effective gas transition in the near-, intermediate- and long-term. Regulators, stakeholders, and gas utilities can use this paper to customize a portfolio of solutions for their own state’s specific circumstances.

This report reviews existing studies and quantifies the impacts we can expect on Illinois jobs in the energy sector resulting from building electrification.

United’s Sarah Steinberg reflects on four key lessons learned throughout Colorado utility Xcel Energy’s inaugural Gas Infrastructure Plan (GIP) process.

United’s Meron Lemmi outlines a recent study by Strategen conducted for Advanced Energy United that sounds the alarm for Consumers Energy customers in Michigan. Monthly home heating bills, an already significant burden for many, are forecasted to rise — from an average of $75 in 2021 to between $114 and $131 in 2030. 

This report identifies a potential clean energy portfolio to match or exceed the energy and capacity provided by Duke Energy’s proposed gas-fired plant and conducts economic analysis to estimate the cost of the gas unit relative to the clean energy portfolio, including any excess energy sales and market purchases.