Frontier Forum: A new playbook for clean energy growth

Catalyst · 6 Oct 2025 · 31m

What this episode covers

Heather O’Neill, CEO of Advanced Energy United, explains how the trade group shifted its strategy from federal lobbying to state-level advocacy following the 2010 failure of the Waxman-Marries cap-and-trade bill. She outlines a new policy playbook centered on three principles: building clean energy infrastructure quickly, making the grid flexible through tools like virtual power plants (VPPs) and advanced transmission technologies, and ensuring affordability for consumers. O’Neill highlights specific state successes in Michigan, Virginia, and Indiana regarding permitting reform, and discusses the urgent need to address load growth driven by data centers and electrification while managing rising electricity costs.

Mentioned

Companies
Advanced Energy United
Products
Virtual Power Plants
Also
PJM, Waxman-Marries, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado

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