Illinois should lead on energy prices with all-of-the-above approach

Like every state in America, Illinois is facing increasing energy bills. But state lawmakers can provide relief to ratepayers by doubling down on energy storage. The Chicago Tribune has more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gS3S9meT

Many questions are swirling about the U.S. Department of Energy's late-night release terminating 321 awards in 16 states. All in the backdrop of the chaos of the government shutdown. However, at a time of rising energy prices and extreme electricity demand, it's important to understand the reason for and ramifications of these cancellations: 1. This action isn't because of the government shutdown, it's a decision by the Trump administration to subtract energy technologies and projects that can make our grid more reliable, secure and affordable. It was just a matter of when, and more announcements like this are possibly on the way thanks to the politically directed project review that Secretary Wright announced during budget hearings and via a Secretarial memo in May 2025. 2. Electric grid related technologies and projects do not know political parties. Electricity and infrastructure don't stop at state lines. These actions will only result in more financial stress on all American families and businesses.  3. Most projects that were terminated range from the development and deployment of grid and generation technologies that can lower costs for Americans. It also targets new manufacturing and energy projects that would strengthen national energy security and American competitiveness, create jobs and improve grid reliability.  4. Unfortunately, the tweet from OMB Director prior to the DOE release reinforces that this is likely a political tactic, not an objective review process. While the 16 states with energy projects targeted by DOE are run by Democrats, the reality is Americans of both parties live and work there.  5. This action raises costs, weakens our electricity system and kills construction, innovation and manufacturing jobs for workers of both parties in these communities and beyond. It's surprising (though it shouldn't be) this decision was made even after a second consecutive month of a concerning private sector job report and at the same time the administration willingly risks the furlough of as many as 750,000 federal workers across the country. Ultimately, everyone should be examining this very closely as it is likely the first set of projects to be terminated. Energy projects in red AND blue states are at risk in the weeks and months ahead from this "review."   https://lnkd.in/eueGQQvU  

Ignoring skyrocketing energy prices is political malpractice. Legislators have largely abdicated responsibility to manage the electrical grid to the state public utility commissions -- but they can't any more. Legislators must pass common sense laws that increase the utilization of cost cutting technologies such as distributed energy resources (DERs). Our regulatory bodies and utilities are skilled and can implement innovative solutions, but there needs to be a mandate in place from the legislature. Our grids need upgrades and we absolutely need more power. But a LOT can be done to maximize the efficiency of our existing system, protect rate payers, and create a more resilient and reliable energy system. https://wapo.st/3W6hqgY

Energy is one of the most important commodities globally and has huge economic relevance; just observe all of the concern about rising power prices in the US. Accordingly, governments tend to pay a lot of attention to energy and generally cannot resist tweaking markets to keep prices low with subsidies and other actions. However, as a general matter here in the US the government has tended to be pretty laissez faire about energy markets, typically using subsidies to help emerging technologies to scale to commercial viability (though there are plenty of ongoing subsidies for traditional fossil energies). In general we have had a live and let live approach - everyone got some goodies for their preferred energy types based on regional politics. However, the current Administration is taking a shredder to that long standing practice, aggressively subsidizing and advantaging fossil fuels, including the losing bet of coal, and suppressing renewables. They have now taken a further step, canceling previously approved clean energy grants specifically to blue states in a nakedly partisan act. These efforts raise two major concerns. First, government picking winners and losers in the marketplace never ends well, and to suppress the fastest growing energy sources at a time of growing energy demand is less than genius; the law of supply and demand will kick partisan butt every day of the week. Second, the degradation of collaborative democratic governance seems to operate like a ratchet, traveling in only one direction. So the novel abuses one party heaps on the other while in power will almost surely come around again when power shifts. Some imagined a "war on fossil fuels" in past Administrations. In the next change of the White House they may find out what war really looks like. This is not rational energy policy and does not do the US economy and our nation any favors. https://lnkd.in/e_37Q_De

Looks like even Mother Nature is trying to reboot her power plan—who knew energy prices could become the new “hot” product feature? The article highlights how electricity prices are skyrocketing due to pent-up demand post-Covid and economic pressures, with policymakers having kept utility bills in check during the pandemic. As demand surges and costs climb, the energy market faces volatility, creating both risk and opportunity for innovation in how we generate, store, and manage power. From a product management perspective, this reminds us to stay agile and anticipate external shocks—be they regulatory, economic, or environmental—that could shape user needs and market landscapes overnight. Thanks to Umair Irfan for giving us this electrifying perspective. #Energy #MarketTrends #Innovation #Utilities First published: October 2025

“Energy Policy at a Crossroads: Balancing Cost, Capacity & Competitiveness” As energy prices continue to rise across the country, state legislators are confronting difficult choices about how to keep power affordable while ensuring reliability and investment in new infrastructure. This conversation is not limited to one state—it’s part of a broader national trend where policy, regulation, and infrastructure investment are no longer separate discussions. 🔹 Here’s the reality policymakers are facing: • Energy costs have risen 20–40% in some regions over the past decade, with significant variability based on resource mix and regulatory structure. • Data center and AI load growth is accelerating electricity demand at an unprecedented pace, reversing two decades of flat load forecasts. • The retirement of thermal plants—coal, gas, and nuclear—continues faster than replacement generation and transmission can be built. • Many are reconsidering utility return caps, securitization tools, and long-term infrastructure financing models to prevent sudden rate shocks. Legislators are hearing from all sides: residents concerned about affordability, utilities warning of under-investment, and businesses calling for reliable power to sustain growth. The next phase of energy policy will require a pragmatic alignment between fiscal policy and infrastructure planning—one that recognizes that every delayed transmission project, postponed rate case, or canceled peaker plant has a real cost to consumers and industry. 💡 The way forward must include: Long-term rate stabilization strategies that use securitization and public-private financing. Policies that reward grid resilience and peak capacity investment—not just clean capacity targets. Support for firm generation, energy storage, and transmission expansion as the backbone of competitiveness. Coordinated engagement between regulators, utilities, and legislators to ensure policy decisions reflect real-world load growth and market trends. As I’ve said before: the energy sector is now the foundation of America’s next industrial era. If we get it right, we will power the factories, data centers, and communities that define our economic future. If we get it wrong, we risk trading affordability for aspiration. Now is the time for serious, data-driven policy work—grounded in reliability, resilience, and results. — #EnergyPolicy #Infrastructure #ElectricGrid #Affordability #Reliability #Regulation #PJM #NJEnergy #EconomicGrowth #AdvancedIndustrialRevolution https://lnkd.in/egjwfa8V

The White House has announced the termination of 321 Department of Energy grants worth nearly $8 billion, with the overwhelming majority located in states that voted Democratic in 2024. Officially this is framed as eliminating “wasteful Green New Deal projects.” In reality, these were bipartisan infrastructure investments to strengthen the grid, expand transmission, lower electricity costs, and build microgrids to protect hospitals and vulnerable communities. Energy does not care about partisan maps. Electrons cross state borders. Supply chains are regional. Transmission networks connect red and blue states alike. Canceling 223 projects across 21 states may score political points, but it raises risks of higher bills, stranded investment, and weaker resilience during extreme weather. Independent estimates showed some of these lines would unlock 35 GW of clean power capacity by 2030, reduce bottlenecks in the Midwest, and connect rural communities to cheaper energy. The irony is sharp: grants for similar projects in Republican states remain untouched, even when they use the same technologies. This selective approach undermines investor confidence and signals that critical infrastructure is now a partisan bargaining chip. If the U.S. cannot depoliticize its grid, the real losers will be consumers in every state, regardless of who they voted for. What happens next is uncertain. Grantees can fight terminations in court, but uncertainty alone may drive developers and financiers to walk away. That chilling effect may be the true strategy—raising risk until projects collapse. Should energy infrastructure—arguably as essential as national defense—become hostage to political cycles? The market and the public will feel the consequences, not just the states on a partisan list. #EnergyPolicy #ElectricGrid #DOE #CleanEnergy #Infrastructure #Politics #ConsumerCosts #ClimateResilience #Transmission #Microgrids #PublicInvestment

https://lnkd.in/eFvtRfbN Last week’s Congressional testimony shed light on the hidden causes behind America’s looming $38 billion in energy rate hikes. The drivers go far beyond fuel prices. Among the key factors: ⚡ Regulatory costs adding new layers of expense ⚡ Infrastructure and grid upgrades to modernize and integrate renewables ⚡ Transmission inefficiencies from aging lines and networks ⚡ Policy changes shifting costs through mandates and carbon rules This testimony underscored that rising rates aren’t just about markets—they’re also shaped by regulation, infrastructure, and policy decisions. If we want to ensure affordability while modernizing our grid, we need solutions that balance reliability, resilience, and innovation—without leaving consumers behind. #EnergyPolicy #Infrastructure #GridReliability #ElectricRates #AdvancedIndustrialRevolution

The need for affordable energy isn't a red or blue state issue -- it's a need for all Americans across the country. ⚡ Despite this aggressive move by the Trump administration, it'll be the most cost effective and especially fastest to deploy tech that will be able to meet the demand -- and that's very much NOT natural gas peaker plants that have a 6-7+ year wait for turbines or expensive, polluting coal. ☝ As we inch closer to next year's midterms, I just don't see this picking winners and losers in energy strategy playing out very well -- at least not without some in Congress getting very worried about what it will means for their election prospects. 😬 🏛️ After all, we've seen what little tolerance the American electorate has for any sort of rising prices 😡 -- and stymying clean energy, the most cost effective, quickest to build solution will undoubtedly continue to spike power prices nationwide (on top of many other trends pointing prices in that direction). 📈 💰 My bet is still on clean energy going forward -- and this move won't be stopping the strong momentum of the clean energy transition. 💪 ☀️ 🔋 🌊 ♨️ 🍃

Attention Clean Energy Professionals: The IRS has released updated FAQs on the accelerated termination of various clean energy credits under the 2025 Act (formerly the One Big Beautiful Bill Act). They’ve also updated the inflation adjustments and 2025 Clean Electricity Production Credit calculations. Don’t miss these critical updates. They could impact your projects and incentives for 2025 👉 https://buff.ly/ZBIXQrv