people
Workforce
Colleen Wright has been named BPA's Human Resources Service Center Director. Wright, who is currently the Talent Operations Division director for the Department of Energy, is returning to BPA where she served as the acting deputy director of HR and held other HR leadership and specialist roles from 2011 to 2022.
data
Generation
While data centers are one of the hottest topics nationwide these days in the utility sector, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority several years ago took the initiative to establish and maintain a data center on Sovereign Navajo land. prior to the dramatic growth in data centers in the U.S. “This
hydro
Generation
Pumped storage hydropower is uniquely positioned to deliver the 24/7, reliability-sensitive power that data centers require, particularly in the Western United States, which is seeing a large increase in data center construction, a new report from the National Hydropower Association said.
grid
Reliability
Texas public power utility Austin Energy is increasing the incentives for residential customers to join its Power Partner program, which helps manage energy demand during peak periods and supports grid reliability.
dam
Generation
A landmark agreement with Tribes and federal agencies to guide the future of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project will be considered by a Seattle City Council Committee this month, Seattle City Light said. “This marks a major milestone in the Skagit relicensing process,” said Mayor Katie Wilson.
grid
Reliability
The Imperial Irrigation District has adopted the District’s 2026–2027 Strategic Plan, “establishing a focused, action-oriented roadmap designed to strengthen water and power reliability, modernize operations, and position the District to meet future challenges while continuing to deliver safe
grid
Bonds and Financing
Fitch Ratings has assigned a “AA” rating on New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission’s series 2026 revenue bonds and has affirmed the “AA” rating on NSB's outstanding series 2020 bonds.
thermostat
Bills and Rates
Santee Cooper is offering bill credits to customers who enroll their smart thermostat in the new Santee Cooper Rewards demand response program.
hydro
Generation
Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company is entering into power purchase agreements for hydropower on behalf of several member municipal light plants.
people
Workforce
In a recent interview with APPA, Robin Schoettlin, Recruiting and Outreach Senior Specialist at Nebraska public power utility Lincoln Electric System, details a new LES initiative that aims to provide high school students with a structured opportunity to observe, learn from, and interact with professionals in a real work environment.