News

Solar Power World highlights a new guide from Advanced Energy Buyers Group that helps states increase renewable energy resources for corporations' access. AEE's Caitlin Marquis' comments are included. See excerpts below and the entire Solar Power World story here:

Of the more than 15 gigawatts of corporate renewable energy deals done to date, less than 2 GW have occurred through utility programs, with the vast majority of power purchase agreements occurring in states that have competitive wholesale markets. A new report from the Advanced Energy Buyers Group, a business-led coalition of large energy users, explains how states with vertically integrated electricity markets can unlock the many benefits of corporate renewable energy procurement...

This RTO Insider (subscription) article highlights the positive outcome from AEE's petition to FERC to ensure ISO-NE will not alter energy efficiency performance standards outside of appropriate stakeholder process. AEE's Jeff Dennis' reaction was included. See excerpts below and the entire RTO Insider story here:

In rejecting a request for a declaratory order on Tuesday, FERC provided the petitioners exactly what they were seeking: assurance that ISO-NE will not alter its energy efficiency performance standards outside the stakeholder process.

Report from Advanced Energy Buyers Group focuses on practical steps and best practices for states that want to offer ways for businesses to choose renewable energy to power their operations

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 18, 2019 — Of the more than 15 gigawatts (GW) of corporate renewable energy deals done to date, less than 2 GW have occurred through utility programs, with the vast majority of power purchase agreements occurring in states that have competitive wholesale markets. A new report from the Advanced Energy Buyers Group, a business-led coalition of large energy users, explains how states with vertically integrated electricity markets can unlock the many benefits of corporate renewable energy procurement.

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2019 — Today, Advanced Energy Economy reacted to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruling on a petition filed by AEE in response to suggestions made earlier this year by ISO New England (ISO-NE) staff that the grid operator might, outside of established processes, change how already-qualified energy efficiency resources would be measured and included in its Forward Capacity Markets (FCM). In yesterday’s order, FERC concluded that ISO-NE’s commitment (made in its answer to the AEE petition) that it would not make changes to the measurement and verification process for energy efficiency resources without following the usual stakeholder process and filing the changes with the Commission made a declaratory order unnecessary at this time.

“We are pleased with the outcome here. As the Commission states in its order, ISO New England has committed that it will not make changes to the measurement and verification standards for energy efficiency resources without engaging stakeholders and making a filing with FERC," said Jeff Dennis, Managing Director, at AEE. "We appreciate this commitment by ISO-NE in its answer to our petition, and the Commission’s recognition of it, which brings needed clarity and certainty for energy efficiency resource providers. We look forward to continuing to work with ISO-NE and stakeholders in the region to ensure that advanced energy technologies can compete in the wholesale markets on a level playing field.”

This piece by The Toledo Blade covers a controversial bill introduced in the Ohio House that is considered by some to be a nuclear bailout that disadvantages other renewable energy sources. The AEE perspective is given by Ted Ford, president of Ohio Advanced Energy Economy. See excerpts below and the entire Blade story here:

HB6 fails to live up to promises of comprehensive energy reform in Ohio, instead offering a handout to a bankrupt power company at consumer expense, business group says

COLUMBUS, April 16, 2019 — Today, Ohio Advanced Energy Economy (Ohio AEE) declared its opposition to House Bill 6*, a bill that would raise electricity rates on all Ohioans to bail out money-losing nuclear generating facilities across the state.

This Utility Dive article highlights a measure by bipartisan lawmakers proposed to extend federal EV tax credits to reduce carbon emissions by supporting the development of EVs. AEE is mentioned as a supporter of this measure.  See excerpts below and the entire Utility Dive story here:

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a measure to extend the federal tax credit for electric vehicle (EV) purchases, citing the need to reduce emissions and continue to support development of the emerging technology and clean energy economy.

This Daily Energy Insider article quotes AEE's Senior Vice President, Lisa Frantzis, who comments on the Illinois Commerce Commission's proposed rule which would allow utilities to treat cloud computing resources as a capital expense. See excerpts below and the entire Daily Energy Insider story here:

A proposed rule by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) that would financially treat utilities’ cloud-based computing software the same as on-site computing systems has found strong support from the renewable energy industry...

The Houston Chronicle published this op-ed (online and in print) by Suzanne Bertin, managing director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) highlighting the positive impact of energy market deregulation 20 years ago and important considerations as the Texas legislature and PUCT consider policy to build on this success and meet customers' evolving needs. See excerpts below and the entire Houston Chronicle piece here:

It’s been 20 years since Texas gave electricity customers the power to choose.

In 1999, when I was as a staffer at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), the Legislature passed Senate Bill 7 — landmark bipartisan legislation that restructured Texas’ electricity markets, in part by injecting competition into the system.

Indiana Advanced Energy Economy Opposes SB 472 as Amended
Bill now includes moratorium on energy development designed to protect coal interests at the expense of Indiana consumers and businesses

INDIANAPOLIS, April 8, 2019 — Indiana Advanced Energy Economy (Indiana AEE) released the following statement today in opposition to SB 472, which was amended last week to include a 20-month moratorium on utility regulatory commission action on any matter involving more than 250 MW of generating capacity at a time when utilities are considering retiring coal-fired units and replacing them with cleaner, cheaper energy sources: