Public Power Current

The nation’s electric grid and natural gas system largely operated without any major incidents during the January 2024 severe weather that swept Arctic air across much of North America, staff with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation said.

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s most recent generator interconnection queue’s cumulative results highlight that renewable generation and storage continue to dominate new applications in the 15-state region. Preliminary results include 600 applications representing approximately 123 GW of new generation across the MISO footprint.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recently awarded Colorado Springs Utilities with a $5.2 million Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant.

CleanPowerSF’s Solar Inverter Replacement Program was recently recognized by the California Community Choice Association as one of nine outstanding member programs.

The Board of Directors for California public power utility Imperial Irrigation District approved a new set of board policies during its regular meeting on April 23 that will help guide the operational and strategic direction of the district. The new board policy replaces the Board of Directors Governance Manual adopted in 2007.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 25 finalized four rules affecting the power sector. The four rules cover GHG guidelines for existing coal-fired power plants and new source performance standards for stationary combustion turbines, mercury and air toxic standards residual risk and technology review, steam electric effluent limitation guidelines and coal combustion residual legacy impoundment and CCR management units.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 22 announced 60 selectees that will receive $7 billion in grant awards through the Solar for All grant competition to deliver residential solar projects across the U.S. The 60 selectees under the $7 billion Solar for All program will provide funds to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on April 23 approved a proposed rule to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act review process for advanced nuclear reactors. APPA supports efforts within Congress and the NRC to streamline the regulatory process for new and existing nuclear power plants while maintaining nuclear safety.