Economic Impact

Canary Media reports that California lawmakers are weighing a proposal to eliminate the state’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program, which pays consumers to reduce their energy use or who provide power to the grid during times of peak electricity demand. United’s Leah Rubin Shen emphasized that DSGS should be maintained to provide stability while lawmakers establish a clear pathway to integrate these resources into a stronger, more durable market framework that builds on the program’s success.

Canary Media reports on Virginia’s 60-day legislative session, during which lawmakers passed several clean energy bills to lower electricity costs by maximizing the use of existing energy infrastructure and deploying more solar and battery storage statewide. United’s Jim Purekal spoke to the affordability and reliability benefits of utilizing energy storage technologies in tandem with solar and wind projects to meet rising load growth.

In an article from Maryland Matters, United’s Katie Mettle underscores what’s at stake as lawmakers consider cuts to Maryland’s EmPOWER program at a time when energy affordability is a top concern statewide. 

On our blog, Intersolar & Energy Storage North America recaps the “Power by Association — Mobilizing Collective Action for Clean Energy” keynote panel at their recent flagship event. Panelists included United’s President and CEO Heather O’Neill, who explored how clean energy organizations can effectively navigate the increasing regulatory complexity and shifting program landscape anticipated in 2026.

The Washington Examiner reports on the “Clean, Dependable, Affordable: Achieving Reliability and Reducing Cost in Today’s Energy Policy Landscape,” panel at the recent American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Policy Forum. Panelists included United’s Dylan Reed, who discussed how advanced energy solutions deliver on both affordability and speed-to-power and are ready to meet rising load growth.

The Arizona Republic reports that Arizona’s utility regulators voted to eliminate the state’s renewable energy standard in a 5-0 vote, removing the benchmark incentive to clean up and diversify energy production in the Grand Canyon State. United’s Brian Turner emphasized that the renewable energy standards would have made affordable, flexible energy resources more accessible to Arizonans and help ease the pressure of rising utility bills.

Reuters reports that President Trump is meeting with several technology company leaders to formalize a pledge aimed at protecting consumers from rising electricity costs tied to the rapid expansion of energy‑intensive data centers. United’s Jon Gordon encouraged the deployment of advanced energy resources such as solar, battery storage, and wind to increase energy affordability while meeting demand, noting that advanced energy technologies can be deployed more quickly than thermal resources to meet growing demand.

New Mexico is facing real pressure to try to grow its economy, lower electricity costs, and respond to climate impacts. United’s Michael Barrio covers key outcomes and missed opportunities from New Mexico’s 30-day session, outlining the work ahead to ensure an affordable, resilient, and sustainable energy future for all New Mexicans.

As utility bills continue to rise nationwide, Canary Media reports that an increasing number of states are utilizing or considering virtual power plant (VPPs) programs as an energy affordability solution. United’s Chloe Holden encouraged lawmakers to move quickly and invest in smart, robust VPP legislation that supports multiple distributed energy resources (DERs), leverages traditional demand response, and provides reasonable but ambitious deployment timelines.

In an opinion piece for the Indiana Business Journal, Trish Demeter, senior managing director at Advanced Energy United, argues that Indiana policymakers have multiple tools at their disposal to address energy affordability. She highlights the need for state legislation, specifically Indiana General Assembly House Bill 1002, which would modernize regulatory frameworks to enable more in-state power generation and reduce Indiana’s reliance on imported electricity to ensure adequate supply.

Heatmap News’ Jael Holzman interviews Trish Demeter, Advanced Energy United’s senior managing director, about United’s new report, produced by Synapse Energy Economics, which found that failing to address local moratoria and restrictive siting ordinances in Indiana could hinder efforts to reduce electricity prices in the state. Demeter discusses with Holzman how decision-makers in Indiana can address this issue and implications for the rest of the country.

Building more in-state clean energy resources can be a powerful tool in the fight for energy affordability in Indiana. A new report from Advanced Energy United, produced by Synapse Energy Economics, shows that accelerating the deployment of advanced energy resources would save Indiana consumers $3.6 billion by 2035. The study evaluated the potential for household energy bill savings if Indiana takes steps to accelerate the build-out of clean energy generation.