The 2020 session of the Indiana General Assembly was expected to be quiet. After all, we had just wrapped up the first year of the 21st Century Energy Task Force – a two-year study to create a comprehensive statewide energy plan for Indiana. Add to that, advanced energy advocates had been victorious the year before by defeating a proposal that would have placed a 20-month moratorium on Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) action on any matter involving more than 250 MW of generating capacity – a requirement that would have locked in Indiana’s coal-fired generation for nearly two years and prevented Indiana’s utilities from pursuing their plans for advanced energy investment. With coal’s bid for a bailout knocked down last year, no one – advocates, special interests, or legislators – expected a big energy fight this session. Little did we know, but the bell was about to ring for another round in the legislative ring.

Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Del. Rip Sullivan celebrate passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, with AEE's Harry Godfrey (center) and JR Tolbert (right of Sullivan) looking on. Photo by Mary Rafferty

Last week, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature. The VCEA represents the single largest initiative spurring advanced energy investment in the southeastern United States. It  is also the culmination of three years of engagement and advocacy in the Commonwealth for Advanced Energy Economy. What does the Virginia Clean Economy Act do? And how did the Old Dominion go from laggard to leader in advanced energy? Read on.

On February 5, AEE convened executives from 27 companies with an active interest in transportation electrification for a daylong session in San Francisco. The facilitated conversation focused executives on developing solutions to four roadblocks standing in the way  of vehicle electrification on an accelerated basis: 1) speeding up charging infrastructure deployment, 2) lowering vehicle purchase price, 3) increasing public awareness of electric vehicles (EVs) as viable options, and 4) dealing with the rise of organized opposition. The forum challenged participants to clearly define the obstacles facing the electrification industry and to brainstorm potential solutions. During the reception the night before and a full day of dialogue, participants had the opportunity to network and build relationships among charging infrastructure providers, vehicle manufacturers, utilities, financial entities, and renewable energy developers.

Last week, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) released their 8th annual “2020 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook,” revealing a decade-long transformation of the U.S. energy sector to cleaner advanced energy resources. The report shows that the United States experienced extraordinary change in how we produce, deliver, manage, and consume energy as we shifted to cleaner, more efficient resources since 2010. During the same period, the economy grew more energy efficient, more energy secure, and less carbon intensive, with the American consumer becoming the primary beneficiary. Building on last year’s findings, the 2020 Factbook comes up with some interesting conclusions, some of them self-evident, others more surprising:

On January 16, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order approving Utility Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification Portfolios Through 2025.  This is a robust order with strong heat pump and low-to-moderate-income programs. It is also a huge leap in the savings New Yorkers will get from making their homes and businesses more energy efficient.