NWPPA Morning Brief

NWPPA Morning Brief — Monday, September 21, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Issues Fresh 202(c) Emergency Order for Duke Energy Carolinas — https://www.wrdw.com/2026/09/19/energy-department-issues-emergency-order-protect-sc-power-grid/
• FERC Accepts Southeast Alaska Power Agency Hydro License Amendment — https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-19197/southeast-alaska-power-agency-notice-of-application-accepted-for-filing-and-soliciting-comments-motions-to-intervene-and
• Federal Court Vacates EPA Termination of $7 Billion Solar for All Program — https://centralintelligence.co/climate/briefings/20260920

Top Regional / State Developments

• CPUC Grants PG&E Narrow Diablo Canyon Exemption, Denies Wildfire Cost Exclusion — https://yuba-sutter.sidekick.news/articles/cpuc-pge-rate-case-rewrite-2026-09-19
• Nevada Adds Tax Abatement Conditions for Data Centers — https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-nevada-2026-09-19-a/
• BlueCrest Announces New Cook Inlet Gas Well Targeting 25 MMcf/Day — https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/energy/2026-09-16/texas-based-company-announces-new-cook-inlet-natural-gas-development
• Chugach Electric Launches Time-of-Use Pricing Pilot — https://alaskapublic.org/news/anchorage/2026-09-18/chugach-electric-launches-time-based-pricing-pilot-program
• Garkane Energy Adopts Wildfire Vegetation Management Plan — https://utah.news/article/16c53909-b857-455c-85fb-9af7d2c89240

Worth Knowing

• The National Hydropower Association published an analysis finding federal licensing conditions have grown… — https://mgrid.org/2026/09/17/12324-mw-of-hydropower-hits-relicensing-by-2036-and-the-industry-counts-its-own-burden-two-ways/
• The Town of Lyons, Colorado municipal electric utility faces a projected 9% budget shortfall, with draft… — https://boulder.thebadger.news/articles/2026-09-15-lyons-electric-shortfall-transmission-costs

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, September 18, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• BPA Opens Expedited BP-27 Rate Proceeding After Court Ruling — https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-19050/revision-of-fiscal-year-fy-2026-2028-power-rate-schedules-and-general-rate-schedule-provisions-grsps-for-the-remainder-o
• DOE Issues Seventh 202(c) Emergency Order to PJM in 2026 — https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/t-d/56/1218970/energy-secretary-secures-mid-atlantic-grid-due-to-anticipated-stressed-system-conditions.html
• Senate Blocks House-Passed Data Center Ratepayer Protection Act — https://www.washingtonsun.com/us-news/senate-stalls-major-data-center-bill-that-sailed-through-house

Top Regional / State Developments

• Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down 2024 Natural Gas Initiative — https://www.kuow.org/law/2026-09-17/natural-gas-initiative-ruled-unconstitutional-by-washington-state-supreme-court
• Nevada Governor Signs Data Center Executive Order — https://www.2news.com/news/local/governor-lombardo-signs-executive-order-on-data-center-development/article_3ddfdf26-7d7e-41ac-9235-d2b0183f4575.html
• BLM Opens Idaho Geothermal Lease Sale — 35 Parcels, 113,330 Acres — https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-hold-idaho-geothermal-lease-sale-strengthen-us-energy-security-and-boost-domestic

Worth Knowing

• Matrix Wildfire announced deployment of its GUARDIAN Utility System, a landscape-scale wildfire retardant… — https://www.tdworld.com/wildfire/news/55405850/matrix-wildfire-deploys-landscape-scale-utility-corridor-hardening

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Thursday, September 17, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• APPA presses Senate to strengthen data center ratepayer bill — https://www.publicpower.org/publication/appa-shares-goal-protecting-ratepayers-data-center-costs-urges-additional-action

Top Regional / State Developments

• Imperial Irrigation District puts data centers first in line for curtailment — https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/09/16/imperial-valley-utility-adopts-new-pricing-rules-putting-data-centers-first-for-power-cuts
• Montana ratepayer protection bill advances over NorthWestern Energy objection — https://www.rtoinsider.com/143581-montana-legislators-propose-protections-data-centers-consumers/

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, September 16, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• FERC Directs NERC to Write Mandatory AI Data Center Reliability Standards by December 31 — https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Can-The-Power-Grid-Handle-AI-And-Wildfires-At-The-Same-Time.html
• House Passes Ratepayer Protection Act; White House Signals Support — http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4724161/house-bill-energy-costs-data-centers/

Top Regional / State Developments

• PUCN Approves NV Energy Greenlink Nevada Transmission Initiative — https://electricenergyonline.com/article/organization/21835/888821/PUCN-Approves-NV-Energy-s-Greenlink-Nevada-Transmission-and-Renewable-Energy-Initiative.htm
• California Legislature Sends SB 886 Data Center Cost-Shift Bill to Governor — https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/utilities/1842902/legislation-regulating-electricity-rates-for-data-centers-in-california-heads-to-the-governors-desk
• NorthWestern, Missoula, Missoula County, and Bozeman File Joint Green Power Program — https://www.northwesternenergy.com/about-us/news-articles-events/2026/09/15/northwestern-energy--city-of-missoula--missoula-county-and-city-of-bozeman-file-proposed-green-power-program-with-montana-public-service-commission
• Colorado Springs City Council Takes Up Project Taurus Data Center — https://gazette.com/2026/09/15/state-national-debate-over-data-centers-lands-in-colorado-springs-thursday-with-project-taurus/

Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan

• New Mexico DOJ Presses for More Information on Blackstone-TXNM Financing — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/blackstone-txnm-deal-faces-fresh-questions-from-new-mexico-doj/830292/

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Tuesday, September 15, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• EPA Rescinds Power Plant Carbon Standards — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/epa-poised-to-scrap-power-plant-carbon-standards/830301/
• NRC Proposes Broad Nuclear Reactor Rule Overhaul — https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2026/nrc-proposes-broad-overhaul-nuclear-reactor-regulations
• Federal Court Rejects DOE Emergency Order Keeping Michigan Coal Plant Open — https://apnews.com/article/a9bc050527d58ed501a5498cbf0411d5
• Pennsylvania PUC Opens Data Center Rate and Curtailment Proceeding — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pennsylvania-puc-to-consider-rates-and-curtailment-as-data-centers-grow/830174/
• FERC-NERC Winter 2026 Report: Bulk-Power System Improvements Documented — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-nerc-review-shows-bulk-power-system-improvements-preparation-and-coordination

Top Regional / State Developments

• Pacific Northwest Efficiency Acquisition Up 14 Percent in 2025 — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/new-data-finds-pacific-northwests-acquisition-energy-efficiency-grew-14-2025
• BLM Wyoming Lease Sale Draws $82 Million, Colorado $4.7 Million — https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/government/news/55404787/blm-wyoming-lease-sale-generates-82-million-colorados-sale-fetches-47-million
• California Newsom Weighs Data Center Disclosure and Ratepayer Bills — https://insideaipolicy.com/ai-daily-news/california-s-newsom-weighs-data-center-regulatory-bills-over-water-air-and-power-costs

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Monday, September 14, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Issues Fourth Emergency Order Keeping Centralia Coal Unit Online Through December 11 — https://usaminingnews.com/articles/energy-secretary-keeps-northwest-coal-generating-plant-online
• D.C. Circuit Strikes Down DOE Emergency Order Keeping Michigan Coal Plant Open — https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/09/11/court-coal-trump/7371789160328
• FERC-NERC Winter Report Finds Sharp Drop in Unplanned Generator Outages — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/unplanned-power-plant-outages-winter-weather-ferc-nerc/830141/

Top Regional / State Developments

• BPA Reconsiders Markets+ Commitment, Signals Possible Move to EDAM — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/bpa-bonneville-markets-plus-caiso-edam-kavulla/829789/
• Hexagon and Weyerhaeuser Announce Development Agreement for Up to 3 GW of Geothermal — https://www.opb.org/article/2026/09/10/hexagon-energy-geothermal-plans/
• PG&E Warns 14,000 Customers of Potential Weekend Wildfire Shutoffs — https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/pge-power-northern-california-power-shutoffs-sept-2026/

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, September 11, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• PJM Files New Reliability Standards for Data Centers and Crypto Loads Above 50 MW — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/pjm-proposes-reliability-standards-manage-large-load-disconnection-events
• EIA Projects Record U.S. Electricity Demand Through 2027, Solar Up 21% This Year — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/data-centers-manufacturing-us-electricity-use-eia/830038/
• BLM Extends Trans-Alaska Pipeline Right-of-Way Comment Period to September 17 — https://thefederalnewswire.com/blm-extends-comment-period-on-trans-alaska-pipeline-renewal/

Top Regional / State Developments

• California PUC Opens Rulemaking to Overhaul General Rate Case Process — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-puc-to-revise-general-rate-case-plan-around-transparency-goals/830042/
• Nevada AG Launches Ratepayer Survey on NV Energy IRP, Data Center Costs in Focus — https://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2026/Attorney_General_Ford%C2%A0Invites_Ratepayers_to_Participate_in_Online_Consumer_Survey%C2%A0on%C2%A0NV_Energy%E2%80%99s_Integrated_Resource_Plan/
• Colorado River Compact Litigation Risk Escalates as Lee's Ferry Threshold Approaches — https://www.kunc.org/regional-news/2026-09-10/if-colorado-river-compact-heads-to-supreme-court-everybody-loses-experts-say

AI and Large Load Demand Radar

• Google, Xcel Back MISO Zero-Injection Framework for Collocated Generation — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/google-xcel-miso-zero-injection-large-load-ferc/829912/

Western Federal Power Programs Scan

• LPPC Reports $118.5 Billion in Prepaid Energy Bonds Over Five Years — https://www.lppc.org/news/prepaid-energy-transactions-deliver-billions-in-savings-for-public-power-customers

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Thursday, September 10, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• EPA Narrows Federal Wetlands Jurisdiction in Supplemental WOTUS Proposal — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/epa-releases-supplemental-wotus-proposal
• DOE Orders Duke Energy Carolinas Backup Generation to Run Through September 8 — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/energy-secretary-moves-secure-carolinas-grid
• DOE and EPA Finalize Energy Star Handoff — DOE Takes the Lead by Late 2027 — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/supporters-hopeful-as-doe-and-epa-finalize-energy-star-transition-plan/829701/
• FERC Staff Issues Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Idaho Power's Hells Canyon Hydroelectric Project — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-staff-issues-final-supplemental-environmental-impact-statement-seis-idaho-power
• FEMA Awards Nearly $5 Million to Oregon Utilities and Fire Projects — https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/09/09/oregon-utilities-and-fire-projects-receive-nearly-5-million-from-fema/

Top Regional / State Developments

• Colorado PUC Suspends Xcel Gas Tariff Over Municipal Utility Resale Terms — https://boulder.thebadger.news/articles/2026-09-10-colorado-puc-suspends-commercial-gas-tariff-center-municipal-utilities
• Alaska Village Electric Cooperative Advances Tariff Adjustment Proposal — https://alaskanews.com/c/alaska-news/events/alaska-village-electric-cooperative-public-hearing-on-proposed-tariff-adjustment-57f5936a

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, September 09, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Launches Formal Information Request on Bulk-Power System Emergency Order — https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/09/2026-18370/securing-the-united-states-bulk-power-system
• DOE Closes $1.9 Billion Loan to Restart Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant — http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-department-of-energy-closes-up-to-1-9-billion-loan-to-restart-nextera-energys-duane-arnold-energy-center-302872175.html
• APPA Files Comments on DOE Draft 2026 Transmission Needs Study — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/appa-comments-doe-transmission-needs-study
• Trump Signs Continuing Resolution Extending Federal Funding Through December 11 — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/trump-signs-stopgap-spending-bill-law

Top Regional / State Developments

• Oregon Governor Backs Statewide Data Center Moratorium — https://www.klcc.org/politics-government/2026-09-08/gov-tina-kotek-says-she-now-supports-a-data-center-moratorium
• Kotek Directs State Agencies to Pause Data Center Deals on State Land Through July 2027 — https://ktvz.com/news/2026/09/08/gov-kotek-pauses-data-center-projects-on-state-land-until-2027/
• Puget Sound Energy Files for 16.75% Residential Rate Increase Effective January 2027 — https://www.liveinsurancenews.com/washington-oregon-homeowners/8575957/
• Colorado PUC Cuts Xcel Natural Gas Rate Request by 35% — https://www.kiowacountypress.net/content/colorado-public-utilities-commission-cuts-xcel-energys-natural-gas-rate-request
• Nevada Breaks Ground on 155-Mile Southern Nevada Transmission Upgrade — https://lasvegassun.com/news/2026/sep/07/work-to-begin-on-southern-nevada-transmission-proj/

Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan

• Federal Appeals Board Halts First BLM-Approved Data Center on Public Land — https://www.nationofchange.org/2026/09/08/federal-appeals-board-halts-first-data-center-approved-on-public-land/

AI and Large Load Demand Radar

• MISO Files Large-Load Reliability Requirements at FERC — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/large-load-reliability-requirements-miso-ferc/829278/

Western Federal Power Programs Scan

• BLM Utah Geothermal Lease Sale Sets Per-Acre Record at $1,207 — https://www.aol.com/articles/efficient-markets-reports-record-blm-130000000.html
• Wyoming Legislative Committee Objects to FERC Environmental Review of Seminoe Pumped Storage — https://bigfoot99.com/bigfoot99-news/wyoming-committee-expresses-disapproval-of-fercs-environmental-analysis/

Worth Knowing

• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Brattle Group published a technical brief documenting that… — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/large-load-tariffs-lbnl-brattle/829796/
• A national tracker reports 530 large-load interconnection requests on file totaling 89.3 GW as of September… — https://www.wattstreet.net/load-ledger/
• The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission adopted a Final Order August 27 rewriting procedural rules for… — https://newmexicoconservativenews.com/2026/09/09/prc-overhauls-utility-complaint-process-otero-county-customers-face-new-steps-tighter-deadlines/

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, September 04, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• NERC Issues Level 3 Essential Action Alert on AI Data Center Load Swings — https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/north-americas-grid-regulator-issues-040500393.html
• DOE and Montana Release Final EIS for 422-Mile North Plains Connector — https://mojo.naseo.org/news/article?NewsID=4315
• House Passes Short-Term Continuing Resolution Through Early December — https://apnews.com/article/a3df725f4bc4ffb39d02a234ea0e5cd3

Top Regional / State Developments

• Construction Begins on Final Leg of Southwest Intertie Linking Idaho and Nevada — https://www.powermag.com/construction-starts-on-last-segment-of-major-western-u-s-transmission-project/
• Administrative Judge Stays Nevada AI Data Center Permit Issued Originally for Solar Plant — https://now.solar/2026/09/04/first-ai-data-center-approved-on-federal-public-land-hits-a-major-roadblock-outdoor-life/
• Grant County PUD Adopts 2026 Integrated Resource Plan Through 2046 — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/commissioners-adopt-grant-puds-2026-integrated-resource-plan
• California Water Board Releases Revised Draft Water Right Decision for Sites Reservoir — https://mavensnotebook.com/2026/09/03/state-water-board-revises-draft-water-right-decision-for-proposed-sites-reservoir-a-major-california-water-project/
• PG&E Defers $2 Billion in 2027 Capital Following California Wildfire Liability Bill Failure — https://www.ktvu.com/news/pge-defer-2b-capital-investments-after-wildfire-reforms-collapse

Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it.

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