Public Power Current

​​​​​​​As the end of 2024 approaches, recent announcements and a look back at the year shows electric utility interest in natural gas generation remains stronger than ever and this interest is coming from not only public power utilities, but also electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 19 proposed to approve the first of an expected suite of new reliability standards “to protect the grid as the nation makes the transition to expanded use of clean energy technologies.”

American Municipal Power, Inc. announced that Matt Garrison has joined AMP as Vice President of Accounting.

The American Public Power Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and Edison Electric Institute recently submitted comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission voicing support for the NRC’s proposal to amend the regulations that govern its environmental reviews of new nuclear reactor applications under the National Environmental Policy Act, the “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors.”

The New York Power Authority has signed a voluntary conservation agreement to proactively maintain habitat for monarch butterflies along rights-of-way under Authority owned and operated transmission lines throughout New York State.

California public power utility Imperial Irrigation District has successfully secured more than $319 million in grants for 2024.

Effective January 1, 2025, the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority is changing its name to Energy Southeast. This is the first time since the group’s founding in 1981 that it has rebranded. The move follows the success of recent energy initiatives and partnerships that have expanded AMEA’s reach

The U.S. Economic Development Administration announced that the Port of Shelton will be awarded $100,000 to partner with Mason County PUD 3 on the expansion of a substation.