Empowering the States to Lead the Energy Transition | August 8, 2025
Advanced Energy United
United in our mission to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.
CEO Note
This week, Advanced Energy United joined the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual summit, where we delivered a message to state lawmakers across the country about advanced energy and the grid: build it, make it flexible, and make it affordable. We hosted a Gridlock to Growth workshop to help state lawmakers better understand the complexities of the regional transmission system and to provide concrete solutions to meeting rising electricity demand. At United, we’ve long recognized that the states hold the keys to accelerating the energy transition. Our continued, direct engagement with state decisionmakers, governors, and gubernatorial hopefuls is critical to enable practical solutions and reforms that lead to more advanced energy resources nationwide. States have the power to lead, and we’re committed to making sure they have the tools to do so.
Spotlight Event
As companies grapple with waning federal support and the removal of key tax credits, an enormous amount of progress for the advanced energy industry lies at the state and regional level. In Latitude Media’s upcoming virtual Frontier Forum, United’s President and CEO Heather O’Neill will share insights from a new policy playbook on initiating reforms in states and regional electricity markets. Attendees will gain key insights into concrete tools for engaging state lawmakers, proven case studies, and a clear roadmap for positioning advanced energy as the solution for reliability, affordability, and economic growth nationwide. Secure your spot.>
Policy Update
Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued an executive letter aimed at accelerating the deployment of tax credit-eligible clean energy projects in Colorado. United’s Emilie Olson commended the state’s commitment to its clean energy goals, urging other state leaders to follow Colorado’s example and support policies that maintain American competitiveness in the advanced energy industry. Read more.>
On the Blog
Much has been said about the risks to the gas utility industry in this era of market transition, wherein electric appliances are out-competing traditional furnaces and water heaters year over year. In this first edition of our blog series, “Affordable Heat: Powered by Policy,” United's Sarah Steinberg discusses a new set of metrics that can inform the next era of gas and electric heating regulation to lower customer bills and increase electric grid efficiency and flexibility. Read more.>
Webinars
The CHARGED Initiative—a collaboration between GridLab, Advanced Energy United, and RMI—invited commissioners to participate in a study tour of Great Britain this spring to learn from experts in the field of grid modernization. In this webinar, commissioners shared lessons learned from distribution system operators, regulators, retailers, and technology providers who provided their expertise on innovations, challenges, and solutions related to distribution grid flexibility. Attendees gained practical insights into grid flexibility integration strategies that can be applied to the U.S. distribution system. View the recording.>
In the News
Maine Morning Star reports that state officials across the country are rushing to fast-track solar and wind projects before clean energy tax credits are removed. United's Managing Director Harry Godfrey warns that abrupt halts on tax incentives will derail long-planned energy projects, while United's Senior Vice President of Advocacy Amisha Rai notes that nationwide demand for electricity is expected to continue propelling renewable deployment over the long term. Read more.>
In an interview with Kara Holsopple from The Allegheny Front, United's Jon Gordon discussed PJM Interconnection's latest capacity auction results and the root causes behind the grid's price spikes, advocating for critical reforms to streamline interconnection processes. Read more.>
The Denver Post: Colorado Regulators Ok Xcel Energy’s Plan to Join Power Marketplace, Despite Cost Concerns
The Denver Post reports on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s approval of Xcel Energy’s plan to join SPP's Markets+, despite concerns from consumer and environmental advocates. United’s Brian Turner criticized the decision and warned that it could delay progress toward a fully organized wholesale market, undermine Colorado’s clean energy goals, and urged the state to consider joining other markets in the region that offer greater renewable energy access and long-term cost savings. Read more.>
The Denver Post: Gov. Jared Polis Directs Colorado Agencies to Expedite Clean Energy Projects After Congress Clips Tax Credits
The Denver Post reports on Colorado Governor Polis' letter directing state agencies to streamline advanced energy projects amidst federal setbacks. United's Emilie Olson commended the Governor's swift action and commitment to Colorado's clean energy goals, highlighting the importance of strong leadership as the state faces growing energy affordability and reliability challenges. Read more.>
In an interview with Heatmap News, United's President and CEO Heather O'Neill highlights how, amid federal rollbacks, growing budget pressures, and rising energy demand, states are now at the center of the clean energy transition. Read more.>
Member News
According to a new industry report commissioned by United member company Sunrun and Tesla, California’s network of batteries is now capable of moving the needle on the state’s entire grid. Last week, a group of virtual power plant aggregators delivered an average of 535MW to the California grid, with the energy coming from over 100,000 residential batteries. Read more.>
Industry Events
Taking place in Indianapolis, Infocast’s Midcontinent Energy Summit will examine the market dynamics shaping advanced energy technologies across the MISO states, providing insights into energy challenges and new opportunities for clean energy growth in the Midwest. Don’t miss United’s Lisa Barrett, who will moderate the “Optimizing Utility-Scale Renewable Finance and Development: What’s Next?” panel on day one of the event. Register here.>
Join United for North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) festival in San Francisco! The event will feature hundreds of transportation electrification experts, including policymakers, engineers, and analysts who will discuss EV growth across the country, providing key insights into the future of electric transportation. Be sure to catch United’s Sarah King on “The EV Mandate Was Never A Thing” panel on the second day of the event. Register here.>
Infocast’s Texas Clean Energy Summit in Austin will bring together over 70+ industry experts, policymakers, and active developers, discussing the path forward for advanced energy in Texas amid federal policy changes and rising energy demand. United's Doug Pietrucha will join a panel entitled “The Effects of New Federal Policy & State Legislation on Clean Energy & Storage Project Development” on the second day of the event. Register here.>
United is looking forward to Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) and Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey’s (EEA-NJ's) Policy Conference, “Navigating Change,” in Somerset, NJ! The event will feature two days of high-impact policy content, providing insights into the innovations and challenges facing the advanced energy industry. The conference will also provide ample networking opportunities with 250+ industry experts across the energy sector. Register now to save before late registration fees kick off on August 25. Register here.>
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