California

In an opinion piece for The East Bay Times, United’s Leah Rubin Shen discusses the looming energy affordability crisis in California due to rising natural gas bills, urging state lawmakers to take decisive action for a sustainable energy transition. 

Today, the California Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee voted to pass Senate Bills 1221 and 1374.

In an opinion column featured in Capitol Weekly, United’s Edson Perez discusses how embracing DERs, including EVs and rooftop solar and storage, can provide significant resilience and cost savings for California’s energy grid.

Today, the California legislature passed a package of bills reflecting a final budget deal reached with Governor Newsom. This agreement makes cuts of over $1 billion to critical clean energy and clean transportation programs that make our grid more resilient, improve air quality, and support good paying in-state jobs.

Canary Media covers recent developments, potential benefits, and regulatory hurdles related to the creation of a regional Western RTO. The story quotes United’s Brian Turner, who highlights the importance of establishing a cohesive energy market in the West. 

Canary Media reports on California’s proposed budget cuts to critical clean energy programs that would prevent blackouts and promote a cleaner, more resilient energy grid. United’s Edson Perez is quoted urging policymakers to reconsider these funding cuts and emphasizing the importance of these programs.

Today, national business association Advanced Energy United applauds NV Energy’s signal of intent to join the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) extended day-ahead market (EDAM), recognizing the several benefits of joining a unified regional electricity market in the West. NV Energy becomes the sixth market participant to indicate it intends to join EDAM.

The Senate Budget Subcommittee 2 and the Assembly Budget Committee approved funding cuts to the Demand Side Grid Support and Distributed Electricity Backup Assets proposed in Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Revise.

The California Assembly Committee on Utilities & Energy passed Assemblymember Irwin’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1999, marking a significant victory for consumer protection and clean energy progress. This crucial bill now moves forward to the full legislature, and we urge lawmakers to pass it into law to safeguard Californians from exorbitant fixed charges.

Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the May Revision to his 2024-2025 budget proposal, which maintains most of its multi-year commitments to critical clean energy programs, including the Distributed Electricity Backup Assets (DEBA) Program, and clean transportation programs, including those related to zero-emission school buses and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, through shifts to Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds.

The California Public Utilities Commission votes to move forward with fixed charge

United’s Edson Perez and Brian Turner share insights on a new study from The Brattle Group that examines how California can use VPPs to quintuple its existing peak demand response capacity, quickly add power and capacity to the grid, strengthen its resilience, and enable more value for investment decisions by consumers.