NWPPA Morning Brief

NWPPA Morning Brief — Tuesday, June 23, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Kavulla Named BPA Administrator and CEO — https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-travis-kavulla-bonneville-power-administration-administrator
• FERC Commissioner Rosner Addresses New Large-Load Show Cause Orders — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/commissioner-rosners-remarks-large-load-show-cause-orders-e-7-e-12-june-18-2026
• Pentagon Closes $725 Million Loan to Denver-Based Energy Fuels for Rare Earth Facility — https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/pentagon-inks-pair-of-rare-earth-mineral-loans-for-1-2-billion/
• BLM Issues Final Environmental Review for 400-MW Purple Sage Solar in Nevada — https://nevadacurrent.com/2026/06/22/blm-advances-massive-pahrump-valley-solar-project/
• NRC Issues Environmental Finding for Dewey Burdock Uranium License Renewal — https://m.uk.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/nrc-issues-environmental-assessment-for-encore-uranium-project-93CH-4737517?ampMode=1

Top Regional / State Developments

• BHE Montana Joins Western Energy Imbalance Market — https://www.caiso.com/about/news/news-releases/bhe-montana-joins-the-western-energy-imblance-market
• BC Hydro Signs 30-Year Power Agreement for 200.6-MW Taylor South Wind Project — https://windinsider.com/2026/06/22/saulteau-first-nations-and-edf-power-solutions-secure-30-year-bc-hydro-agreement-for-200-6-mw-taylor-south-wind-project/
• NV Energy Asks Nevada PUC to Delay Peak Demand Charge — https://nevadacurrent.com/briefs/nv-energys-pledge-to-compare-bills-with-and-without-peak-demand-charge-fizzles/
• Duke Energy Carolinas Cuts Proposed Residential Rate Hike Following Data-Center Cost-Allocation Objections — https://www.harianbasis.co/en/duke-energy-lowers-rate-increase

Worth Knowing

• The California Water Commission committed an additional $268.9 million to advance the Sites Reservoir… — https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/06/17/governor-newsom-announces-nearly-269-million-to-advance-sites-reservoir-project-expanding-californias-water-storage-commitment/
• The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued a verbal order — a preliminary oral ruling from the bench,… — https://es.investing.com/news/sec-filings/reguladores-de-minnesota-emiten-orden-verbal-sobre-tarifa-de-xcel-energy-93CH-3710987

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Monday, June 22, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Bentz Introduces Hydropower Relicensing Reform Bill with APPA Backing — https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-introduces-hydropower-licensing-affordability-act-to-modernize-hydro-electric-re-licensing-and-to-protect-existing-energy-generation
• DOE Orders Two More Indiana Coal Units to Stay Online Through Summer — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/doe-directs-energy-companies-miso-take-steps-keep-indiana-power-plant-units-available-operate
• FERC Votes to Drop Cumulative Environmental Reviews for Gas Pipelines — https://energynow.com/2026/06/us-eases-environmental-reviews-for-natural-gas-projects/
• FERC Issues Show-Cause Orders to Six Grid Operators on Large-Load Interconnection — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-launches-aggressive-targeted-action-speed-large-load-integration
• Second Advanced Reactor Goes Critical Under DOE Pilot — This One in Utah — https://usaminingnews.com/articles/department-of-energy-celebrates-second-advanced-reactor-achieving-criticality
• 80 Maryland Lawmakers Back $1.6 Billion FERC Complaint Over Data Center Transmission Costs — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/maryland-ratepayer-advocate-ferc-data-center-complaint-transmission/823244/

Top Regional / State Developments

• BC Hydro Begins Construction on Revelstoke Unit 6, Adding 500 MW — https://www.renewcanada.net/construction-of-sixth-unit-begins-at-revelstoke-generating-station/
• SunZia Wind-and-Transmission Project Reaches Full Operation — https://energynow.com/2026/06/biggest-ever-us-clean-energy-project-is-complete-after-nearly-two-decades/
• Xcel Files for Comanche Coal Extension at Colorado PUC — https://www.eenews.net/articles/xcels-gas-build-out-plans-rankle-colorado-commissioners/
• Wildfire in Eastern Washington Forces 1,500 Evacuations, Destroys Homes — https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/emergency-preparedness/wildfire-in-eastern-washington-prompts-evacuations-and-destroys-homes/
• Nevada Sees Surge in Wildfire-Driven Insurance Cancellations, Including Las Vegas — https://nevadacurrent.com/2026/06/18/home-insurance-being-cancelled-declined-for-wildfire-risk-in-some-surprising-places/

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Thursday, June 18, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• FERC June Meeting Takes Up Large-Load Interconnection Rulemaking and PJM Co-Location — https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/summary-ferc-meeting-agenda-june-2026
• Lummis Introduces POWER Up Act Putting Data-Center Grid Access Under FERC — https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/gop-bill-put-data-center-grid-access-federal-oversight-rcna350263
• Interior Pays Invenergy $765 Million to Terminate Offshore Wind Leases — https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-touts-another-agreement-to-terminate-offshore-wind-leases/
• New York Releases Advanced Nuclear Policy Options Paper — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/new-york-advanced-nuclear-policy-options-paper-released
• DOE Orders Centralia Unit 2 to Remain Online Extended to September — Energy Secretary Moves to Preserve Northwest Coal Generation — https://www.energy.gov/listings/energy-news

Top Regional / State Developments

• Oregon Governor Declares Statewide Wildfire Emergency — https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/16/oregon-governor-kotek-declares-emergency-wildfire-threat/
• Reno-Area Wildfire Causes Outage for Roughly 70,000 Customers — https://www.asatunews.co.id/en/nevada-wildfire-causes-reno-power-outage
• Seattle City Light Proposes Largest Rate Increases in Recent Memory — https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-light-eyes-biggest-bill-increases-in-recent-memory/
• Avista Pauses 500-MW Data-Center Negotiations Following Community Concerns — https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52696-avista-puts-data-center-service-talks-on-pause/
• Intervenors File at Montana PSC in NorthWestern Energy Data-Center Tariff Case — https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/groups-seek-intervention-in-northwestern-energy-data-center-tariff-proceeding

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, June 17, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• WECC and NERC Issue Joint Report on Wyoming Cascading Outage — https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/t-d/158/1206985/wecc-and-nerc-release-joint-wyoming-disturbance-report.html
• FCC Moves Toward Federal Limits on Public Power Pole Attachment Authority — https://www.publicpower.org/current/fcc-signals-intent-regulate-public-power-pole-attachments
• DOE Closes $1.6 Billion Loan to DTE Gas for Michigan Distribution Modernization — https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-delivers-16-billion-loan-lower-energy-costs-michiganders
• Senate Committee Approves FLOWS Act with FERC Routine-Maintenance Relief — https://www.publicpower.org/current/senate-committee-approves-hydropower-bill-supported-appa

Top Regional / State Developments

• Fitch Cuts Utility Sector Outlook on Affordability and Cost-Recovery Risk — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-sector-outlook-deteriorates-affordability-rates-fitch/822888/
• BC Hydro Revives Large Hydropower Build as Demand Forecast Climbs 50% — https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/b-c-revives-large-hydropower-ambitions-as-electricity-demand-set-to-surge/
• Wyoming Legislature Weighs Electricity Generation Tax — https://svialpine.com/wyoming-lawmakers-mull-electric-generation-tax-to-address-average-customers-rising-bills/
• Oregon PUC Holds PGE Data Center Rate Filing for Review — https://mgrid.org/2026/06/09/opuc-puts-pge-data-center-rate-hike-on-hold-29-increase-questioned/
• Seattle City Light Expands Bill Assistance Income Eligibility for 2027 — https://powerlines.seattle.gov/2026/06/15/expanding-assistance-for-seattle-city-light-and-seattle-public-utilities-customers/

Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan

• Minnesota ALJ Rules Co-op Cannot Cut Tribal Power Over Solar Array — https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/10/judge-says-rural-electric-utility-cannot-cut-tribal-nations-power-over-solar-array

Western Federal Power Programs Scan

• Colorado River Basin Drought Intensifying Into Summer — https://www.western-water.com/2026/06/13/drought-grips-the-west-as-heat-builds-across-the-basin/

Worth Knowing

• The Arizona Corporation Commission opened evidentiary hearings on Arizona Public Service's request for a… — https://journalaz.com/2026/06/13/arizona-regulators-weighing-electric-utilitys-request-for-a-14-increase/
• A coalition of nine Northeast states and the District of Columbia published three reports on June 15 laying… — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/northeast-states-offshore-hvdc-transmission-trump-drops-wind-fight/822992/

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Tuesday, June 16, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Orders Centralia Unit 2 to Stay Online Through September 13 — https://au.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/transalta-subsidiary-ordered-to-keep-washington-plant-online-93CH-4487007
• Federal Court Vacates DOE Cancellation of $82.1 Million in Clean Energy Grants — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/judge-overturns-doe-cancellation-clean-energy-grants/822818/
• DOJ Drops Appeal of Wind Lease Moratorium Ruling — https://www.eenews.net/articles/states-claim-victory-as-trump-admin-ends-wind-court-fight/
• NWPPA CEO Presses Oregon Senators on Fix Our Forests Act — https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/5918154-wildfire-legislation-federal-forests/
• DOE Awards NRECA $6 Million for Co-op Cybersecurity Work — https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=3ef4421e-4511-4535-9145-7f0509388bc4

Top Regional / State Developments

• Rocky Mountain Power Files 38% Rate Increase for Wyoming Irrigators — https://wyofile.com/its-going-to-kill-us-electric-utilitys-latest-rate-hike-request-especially-steep-for-wyoming-ag-irrigators/
• Platte River Power Authority Breaks Ground on 100-MW Battery in Colorado — https://news.constructconnect.com/nextera-energy-resources-platte-river-break-ground-on-100mw-energy-storage-project-in-colorado
• Salt River Project Adds 19-MW, 10-Hour CO2 Battery at Coronado — https://media.srpnet.com/energy-dome-and-srp-to-add-long-duration-energy-storage--project-to-the-grid-expand-google-collaboration/
• California PUC Adopts Community Solar Framework at Lower Compensation Rate — https://www.eenews.net/articles/california-energy-regulators-adopt-controversial-rules-for-community-solar-program/

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Monday, June 15, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• DOE Issues Section 202(c) Emergency Order for Duke Energy in Carolina Heat Wave — https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/doe-declares-southeast-grid-emergency-sweltering-heat-strains-boosts-ac-demand
• Renewable Groups Sue Pentagon Over Frozen Wind Project Reviews — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/12/climate/wind-power-lawsuit-pentagon-trump.html
• FERC Staff Releases Final EIS for 972-MW Seminoe Pumped Storage in Wyoming — https://ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-staff-issues-final-environmental-impact-statement-seminoe-pumped-storage
• FERC Schedules Annual Commissioner-Led Reliability Technical Conference — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-announces-annual-commissioner-led-reliability-technical-conference

Top Regional / State Developments

• California Energy Safety Office Approves SCE Wildfire Mitigation Plan Amendment — https://energysafety.ca.gov/news/2026/06/12/energy-safety-issues-decision-approving-southern-california-edisons-petition-to-amend/
• Oregon PUC Sets July 7 Decision on PGE Large-Load Tariff Filing — https://rightnoworegon.com/2026/06/09/oregon-puc-plans-for-pge-rate-filing-decision-on-july-7/
• PacifiCorp Moves to Decommission Bigfork Hydro on Montana's Swan River — https://flatheadbeacon.com/2026/06/14/pacificorp-to-power-down-bigfork-dam-unless-buyer-steps-forward/
• Alaska House Advances 85% Tax Cut for Trans-Alaska Gas Pipeline — https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/06/12/alaska-house-appears-likely-to-pass-85-tax-cut-for-proposed-gas-pipeline/

Congressional and Federal Agency Scan

• Energy Secretary Wright Pressed by House Science Committee on GAO Clean Energy Finding — https://www.aip.org/fyi/energy-secretary-takes-heat-in-first-house-science-hearing

Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan

• Michigan ALJ Recommends Rejection of Consumers Energy Dam Sale to Private Equity — https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/judge-michigan-should-reject-consumers-energys-highly-problematic-dam-sale/

AI and Large Load Demand Radar

• Avista Confirms Data Center Behind Major Load Agreement; Could Equal Half Current Service Area — https://www.fox28spokane.com/avista-confirms-large-load-customer-in-energy-deal-is-a-data-center/
• Black Hills Confirms 1.8-GW Wyoming Data Center Continues After Partner Change — https://m.in.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/black-hills-continues-18gigawatt-wyoming-data-center-project-93CH-5448627?ampMode=1
• Box Elder County, Utah Adopts 180-Day Data Center Moratorium with Stratos Carveout — https://www.ksl.com/article/news/business/box-elder-county-commissioners-approve-data-center-moratorium-stratos-project-exempt/51509683

Worth Knowing

• Global transformer supply chains entered 2026 under sustained pressure, with industry data showing power… — https://www.deruielectric.com/news/transformer-lead-times-in-2026-why-delivery-delays-are-still-affecting-global-projects-derui-electric/

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, June 12, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Seattle Imposes One-Year Data Center Moratorium in 9-0 Vote — https://council.seattle.gov/2026/06/09/city-council-passes-emergency-data-center-moratorium-and-policy-framework/
• DOE Approves Oklo Aurora Safety Analysis at Idaho National Laboratory — https://oklo.com/newsroom/news-details/2026/U-S--Department-of-Energy-Approves-Preliminary-Documented-Safety-Analysis-for-Aurora-Powerhouse-at-Idaho-National-Laboratory/default.aspx
• DOE Finalizes National Fusion Roadmap — https://thefederalnewswire.com/energy-department-finalizes-roadmap-to-accelerate-commercial-fusion-power-in-the-u-s
• FERC Accepts PJM Expedited Interconnection Track for 20 Shovel-Ready Projects — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/commissioner-rosners-concurrence-order-accepting-tariff-revisions-re-pjm-0

Top Regional / State Developments

• Idaho PUC Approves Rocky Mountain Power Wildfire Mitigation Plan — https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52650-idaho-regulators-approve-wildfire-mitigation-plan-for-rocky-mountain-power/
• Nevada Governor Lombardo Issues Executive Order on State Energy Policy — https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/918842621/lombardo-announces-executive-order-establishing-nevada-s-energy-policy-objectives
• Colorado PUC Rejects Portions of Xcel Gas System Investment Plan — https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/11/xcel-rejection/
• PG&E Activates Second PSPS Event of 2026 — https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article316080652.html
• BC Hydro Launches $1 Billion Power Smart 2.0 Conservation Program — https://globalrenewablenews.com/article/energy/category/climate-change/155/1201921/new-plan-helps-people-save-money-reduce-energy-use.html

Worth Knowing

• NV Energy announced it will stop supplying electricity to Liberty Utilities' Lake Tahoe service territory… — https://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2026/06/11/mega-master-immigration-hearings-tahoe-utility-searches-for-new-power-supplier-california-indian-heritage-center/
• A California labor union is invoking Governor Newsom's climate record to oppose CAISO's Regional Transmission… — https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/california-union-leans-on-newsoms-climate-record-to-fight-rto-28
• Residents in Bonner, Montana packed a meeting at the KettleHouse Taproom to oppose a proposed data center… — https://ground.news/article/bonner-crowd-pushes-back-on-proposed-data-center

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Thursday, June 11, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• Supreme Court Sends Appliance Efficiency Rules Back for Another Look — https://www.eenews.net/articles/supreme-court-revives-gas-industry-fight-over-biden-efficiency-regs/
• Wright Testimony Pitches 13% Cut to DOE Office of Science — https://www.exchangemonitor.com/wright-to-discuss-doe-budget-with-house-science-space-and-technology-committee/

Top Regional / State Developments

• California Supreme Court Lets NEM Reform Stand — https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/statement/2026/06/ewg-statement-california-supreme-court-declining-hear-rooftop-solar
• United Power Signs 150-MW Colorado Solar PPA — https://ground.news/article/colorado-co-op-signs-ppa-for-power-from-new-solar-installation
• Xcel Colorado Rate Hike Draws Formal Opposition — https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/11/xcel-big-rate-hike-opposition/

AI and Large Load Demand Radar

• Texas Governor Directs PUCT to Block Data Center Cost Shifting — https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-06-10/gov-greg-abbott-calls-for-texas-energy-regulators-to-rein-in-data-centers

Western Market Structure Signal

• PJM Congestion Hit $1 Billion in a Single Month — https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/power-grid/transmission/grid-congestion-cost-pjm-1-billion-in-one-month/

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, June 10, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• FirstEnergy Petitions FERC to Make Data Centers Pay for Their Own Transmission Upgrades — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/firstenergy-ferc-data-center-transmission-interconnection/822333/
• NRC Clears Environmental Hurdle for Crane Clean Energy Center Restart — https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2026/26-061.pdf
• NRC Moves Public Input Earlier in Reactor Licensing Process — https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2026/26-062.pdf

Top Regional / State Developments

• Minnesota Funds $500,000 Nuclear Study That Could Lift 32-Year New-Plant Ban — https://www.electric.coop/vcp-helps-convince-minnesota-lawmakers-to-approve-nuclear-energy-study

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

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NWPPA Morning Brief — Tuesday, June 09, 2026

In today's brief:

Top Federal Developments

• FERC Approves SPP 'CHILLS' Framework for Curtailable Large-Load Service — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-spp-chills-large-load-transmission-service/822211/

Top Regional / State Developments

• Microsoft Files Nevada Tariff Proposal Aimed at Shielding Residential Ratepayers from Data Center Costs — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/microsoft-seeks-nevada-tariff-to-shield-ratepayers-from-data-center-costs/822250/

Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan

• Federal Judge Overturns IRS Guidance Narrowing Wind and Solar Tax Credit Eligibility — https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5915123-green-energy-tax-credits/

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

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