NWPPA Morning Brief

NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, July 22, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Ratepayer Advocates Tell FERC Its Data Center Framework Falls Short — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-data-center-pjm-transmission-costs/825760/
• Senate Energy Committee Holds Oversight Hearing with All Five FERC Commissioners — https://www.energy.senate.gov/hearings/2026/7/oversight-hearing-on-the-federal-energy-regulatory-commission
• House Energy and Commerce Advances Second Day of Data Center Grid Bills — https://www.rtoinsider.com/137133-house-energy-commerce-advances-bills-dealing-with-data-centers-demand/
• House Passes Continuing Resolution Funding Government Through December 4 — https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2026/07/22/house-passes-continuing-resolution-to-fund-government-through-midterms-but-theres-a-catch-n2679897

Top Regional / State Developments

• Montana Governor Solicits Applications for Temporary PSC Seat — https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/gianforte-solicits-applications-for-the-public-service-commission/
• Colorado AG Joins 19-State Coalition Intervening in Pentagon Wind Freeze Lawsuit — https://coag.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-phil-weiser-intervenes-to-protect-onshore-wind-energy-projects/
• Colorado River Lower Basin Stays in Tier 1 Shortage; Arizona and California Projected to Exceed Allocations — https://www.western-water.com/2026/07/17/colorado-river-forecast-water-use-rising-in-2026/
• MISO Warning and SPP Level 3 Alert Underscore Central-US Reliability Stress — https://www.fox9.com/news/regional-electric-grid-operator-warns-rolling-blackouts-14-central-us-states

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Tuesday, July 21, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• FERC's large-load show cause orders enter the 60-day response window — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/data-center-interconnection-ferc-large-load-show-cause/824501/
• FERC Chairman Swett calls PJM auction results 'alarm bells' ahead of July 23 governance conference — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pjm-capacity-auction-governance-ferc-swett/825508/
• Senate permitting deal remains unsettled as August recess approaches — https://www.eenews.net/articles/permitting-deal-deadline-remains-elusive/
• PJM independent monitor attributes $6.3 billion in capacity charges to data centers — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pjm-data-centers-capacity-auction-imm-bowring/825626/

Top Regional / State Developments

• Arizona regulators approve Springerville Unit 4 coal-to-gas conversion — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/arizona-regulators-approve-conversion-srp-unit-coal-fired-natural-gas-fired-boilers
• BC Hydro warns British Columbia could break all-time summer electricity demand record — https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2026/summer-electricity-demand.html
• BC Hydro launches procurement for Vancouver Island's first utility-scale battery storage — https://victoriabuzz.com/2026/07/bc-hydro-building-vancouver-islands-first-battery-energy-storage-project-near-duncan/
• Montana PSC holds NorthWestern Energy IRP listening sessions July 21 and 23; comments due July 28 — https://meic.org/northwestern-energys-2026-integrated-resource-plan/
• NV Energy daily demand charge draws opposition ahead of January 2027 start — https://knpr.org/show/knprs-state-of-nevada/2026-07-20/nv-energy-customers-brace-for-impact-of-new-daily-demand-charges

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.

NWPPA Morning Brief — Monday, July 20, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• House Energy and Commerce Full Committee Marks Up 29 Bills Tonight, Including Data Center Cost-Allocation Legislation — https://energycommerce.house.gov/news/press-release
• FERC Directs CAISO and SPP to File Joint Western Seams Coordination Report by September 30 — https://dailyenergyinsider.com/hearing-summaries/53047-ferc-directs-nerc-action-on-data-center-reliability-standards-presses-western-grid-operators-on-seams-coordination-and-advances-hydropower-permitting-reforms/
• Texas Regulators Approve Ride-Through Rules for Data Centers After 28 Large-Load Trip Events — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-puc-approves-ride-through-rules-data-centers/825051/

Top Regional / State Developments

• California PUC Lowers Utility Shutoff Temperature Threshold to 90°F — https://thedissentsf.com/article/california-regulators-restrict-utility-shutoffs-amidst-rising-heat
• Southern California Water Agencies Approve Agreement to Leave Colorado River Water in Lake Mead — https://pasadenanow.com/main/southern-california-approves-plan-to-keep-enough-water-for-600000-homes-in-lake-mead
• Northern Lights Electric Cooperative Implements Public Safety Power Shutoff in Northern Idaho — https://bonnersferryherald.com/news/2026/jul/16/northern-lights-announces-public-safety-power-shut/
• Utah PSC Reviewing Rocky Mountain Power 4.2% Rate Settlement — https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/07/19/utahs-utility-regulator-considers/

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, July 17, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• FERC directs NERC to write mandatory reliability rules for data centers and other large computational loads — https://www.powermag.com/ferc-orders-mandatory-nerc-reliability-standards-for-data-center-and-other-computational-loads/
• PJM capacity auction clears at $325/MW-day cap with a 6,831 MW shortfall; backstop procurement planned — https://insidelines.pjm.com/pjm-capacity-auction-procures-138318-mw-of-generation-resources-as-work-continues-to-address-growing-electricity-demand/
• Lawrence Berkeley finds retail electric rates outpacing inflation; regulators approved 64 percent of requested revenue increases — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/retail-electric-rate-increases-outpace-inflation-with-prices-set-to-rise-hi/825391/

Top Regional / State Developments

• Alaska LNG tax bill conference committee passes final draft; floor vote set — https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2026-07-16/committee-sets-alaska-lng-tax-cut-bill-including-expanded-corporate-tax-for-final-vote
• BC Hydro launches $1 billion Power Smart 2.0 demand-side program — https://globalrenewablenews.com/article/energy/category/climate-change/155/1201921/b-new-plan-helps-people-save-money-reduce-energy-use.html
• California CPUC review identifies 85 near-term advanced transmission technology projects; deployment barriers persist — https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/report-how-california-utilities-value-advanced-transmission-tech/
• PG&E issues all-clear after July 15 PSPS event; equipment inspection and restoration across 10 counties — https://www.pge.com/en/newsroom/currents/safety/pge-monitoring-weather-event.html

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.

NWPPA Morning Brief — Thursday, July 16, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• NextEra and Dominion File $67B Merger Applications with FERC — https://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/2026-07-15-NextEra-Energy-and-Dominion-Energy-file-to-combine%2C-building-a-stronger-company-to-meet-growing-power-demand-across-four-of-Americas-fastest-growing-states-while-keeping-energy-affordable-and-reliable
• DOE Deploying Defense Production Act Energy Funds Ahead of September 30 Sunset — https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2026/07/federal-funding-intelligence-brief-july-15-2026

Top Regional / State Developments

• Alaska Regulator Denies Enstar Storage Expansion; Utility Warns of Winter Gas Shortfall — https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/2026-07-15/natural-gas-supplies-not-looking-good-for-southcentral-this-winter-enstar-says
• Montana Consumer Coalition Asks PSC for Separate Data Center Rate Class — https://dailymontanan.com/2026/07/14/data-centers-should-be-regulated-separately-by-the-psc-coalition-argues/
• Seattle City Council Expands City Light Utility Discount to 31,000 More Households — https://blackchronicle.com/west-coast-pacific/washington/seattle-utility-relief-now-available-for-single-residents-making-up-to-66k/
• Utah County Makes 345-kV Transmission a Permitted Use — https://www.heraldextra.com/news/2026/jul/09/power-policies-utah-county-commission-makes-345-kilovolt-plus-transmission-projects-a-permitted-use/
• Lyon County, Nevada Creates Power District for Data Center Load — https://nevbex.com/2026/07/15/lyon-county-new-data-center-power-district/

AI and Large Load Demand Radar

• Montana and Wyoming Governors Sign White House Data Center Ratepayer Pledge — https://www.eenews.net/articles/gop-governors-utilities-join-trump-data-center-pledge/

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.

NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, July 15, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• NRC proposes major cut to nuclear environmental review requirements — https://www.ans.org/news/2026-07-08/article-8190/nepa-review-changes-coming-under-nrc-proposed-rule/
• Senate schedules oversight hearing with all five FERC commissioners on data center demand — https://www.eenews.net/articles/senate-committee-calls-up-ferc-members/
• Utility rate hike filings jump 26 percent year-over-year in Q2 — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-rate-hike-proposals-affordability-powerlines/825167/

Top Regional / State Developments

• New York imposes nation's first statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers — https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/first-statewide-moratorium-new-hyperscale-data-centers-launched-governor-kathy-hochul
• PG&E issues Public Safety Power Shutoff watch across 10 California counties — https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-monitoring-high-wind-event-is-preparing-for-possible-public-safety-power-shutoff-for-portions-of-10-counties-302825787.html
• Alaska LNG special session stalls with no action since July 2 — https://mustreadalaska.com/legislature-chooses-inaction-during-second-special-session-focused-on-ak-lng-bill/
• Google confirmed as customer behind 2.7-gigawatt data center campus near Cheyenne — https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/google-is-customer-behind-27gw-data-center-campus-near-cheyenne-wyoming/

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.

NWPPA Morning Brief — Tuesday, July 14, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Senate Energy Committee Advances Geothermal Permitting Package — https://www.eenews.net/articles/senate-panel-takes-up-energy-public-land-bills/

Top Regional / State Developments

• Lake Powell at 3,524 Feet, 34 Feet Above Minimum Power Pool — https://abcnews.com/US/lake-powell-reaching-critically-low-elevation-levels-nearing/story?id=134659320
• San Francisco Certifies EIR for PG&E Grid Acquisition — https://localnewsmatters.org/2026/07/13/sf-public-power-pge-acquisition-eir/
• Pocatello City Council to Hear Appeal of $2.6B Data Center Denial — https://www.upr.org/politics/2026-07-13/pocatello-idaho-data-center-proposal-appeal-regulation

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.

NWPPA Morning Brief — Monday, July 13, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Former FERC Commissioners Warn Slaughter Ruling Threatens Agency Quorum — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/former-ferc-officials-supreme-court-slaughter-ruling-expanding-presidential-power-fire-regulators/824842/
• House Subcommittee Advances Nuclear Licensing Package — https://www.eenews.net/articles/house-republicans-tee-up-vote-on-nuclear-bills/
• NDAA and FY2027 Spending Fight Heads Into Pre-Recess Sprint — https://www.eenews.net/articles/ndaa-spending-set-to-dominate-congress-agenda/

Top Regional / State Developments

• Oregon Approves 29.7% Data-Center Rate Hike Under POWER Act — https://www.opb.org/article/2026/07/07/oregon-data-center-general-electric-rate-hikes/
• EWEB Board Approves $392 Million Willamette Water Intake and Treatment Plant — https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest-news/2026/07/09/eweb-commissioners-give-green-light-to-392-million-willamette-river-water-intake/
• Cheyenne Utility Board Suspends Data-Center Industrial Discharges After Contamination — https://k2radio.com/ixp/99/p/cheyenne-data-center-discharge-issues/
• Lyon County, Nevada Commissioners Face Organized Pushback on Data-Center Approvals — https://www.carsonnow.org/07/10/2026/lyon-county-leaders-face-public-pushback-amid-surge-in-data-center-and-energy-development

Worth Knowing

• The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation issued its Summer 2026 Montana Drought and Water… — https://dnrc.mt.gov/News/dnrc-news/news-article27

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, July 10, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Draft Transmission Needs Study Shifts Federal Focus to Congestion and Large Loads — https://www.eenews.net/articles/energy-department-unveils-draft-electric-transmission-needs-study/
• FERC Commissioner Calls PJM Stakeholder Status Quo "Untenable" Ahead of July 23 Conference — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pjm-interconnection-stakeholders-ferc-lacerte/824832/
• Murray and Kaptur Press OMB to Rescind Proposed Grant Termination Rule Before July 13 Comment Deadline — https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/murray-kaptur-call-on-omb-to-rescind-proposed-rule-that-would-politicize-doe-grants-scare-off-private-investment

Top Regional / State Developments

• Idaho Governor Signs Executive Order Creating Advanced Nuclear Task Force at INL — https://ground.news/article/governor-creates-idaho-advanced-nuclear-energy-task-force
• Arizona Corporation Commission Votes to End Utility Energy Efficiency Standards — https://www.eenews.net/articles/arizona-repeals-electric-utility-efficiency-mandate/
• NV Energy Consumer Session on Deferred Energy Charges Rescheduled to July 27 After Venue Overflow — https://www.fox5vegas.com/2026/07/09/nv-energy-deferred-energy-charge-session-rescheduled-july-27/?outputType=amp

Worth Knowing

• Baltimore Gas and Electric filed a $156 million electric rate case with the Maryland Public Service… — https://psc.maryland.gov/news/2026/bge-seeks-156-million-electric-rate-increase/

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.

NWPPA Morning Brief — Thursday, July 09, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Closes $3.26 Billion Transmission Loan to AEP Texas — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/doe-closes-loan-326-billion-finance-transmission-projects-across-texas
• EIA Projects Wholesale Power Prices Down 8% This Summer, Household Bills Up 10.5% — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/us-wholesale-power-prices-decline-summer-eia/824671/
• DOE Extends Craig Station Emergency Order Through September 26 — https://www.stoel.com/insights/reports/energy-regulatory-updates/july-8-2026

Top Regional / State Developments

• Alaska North Slope Data Center Lease Draws 500-Plus Public Comments — https://www.arctictoday.com/data-center-critics-flood-alaska-land-managers-with-opposition-to-north-slope-project/
• Portland Approves PGE Plan to Remove Nearly 400 Trees in Forest Park for Transmission — https://www.kptv.com/2026/07/08/portland-approves-new-pge-plan-cut-trees-forest-park-power-lines/?outputType=amp
• Peak Energy Selects Sacramento for First U.S. Sodium-Ion Grid Battery Plant — https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/california-chosen-for-peak-energys-sodium-ion-battery-plant
• States Log 350-Plus Energy Affordability Actions in 2026 as Residential Prices Rise 7.3% — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/states-taking-action-energy-affordability-issue-deepens-report/824580/

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

Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.