The relative economics of existing generation have improved as rising new-build costs across all technologies, together with execution challenges tied to supply chains, inflation, tariffs, permitting and macroeconomic uncertainty, have made replacement capacity more expensive and difficult to deliver, Lazard said in the 19th edition of its Levelized Cost of Energy+ (LCOE+) report.

The following is a transcript of the June 22, 2026, episode of Public Power Now. Learn more about subscribing to Public Power Now at PublicPower.org/Podcasts . Some quotes may have been edited for clarity. Paul Ciampoli Welcome to the latest episode of Public Power Now. I'm Paul Ciampoli, APPA's

How public power utilities are shaping data center policies and large load rates to balance economic development with community needs.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation recently filed a Wildfire Action Plan with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recently announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has allocated federal funding to benefit communities across western and northwestern Iowa including a number of public power communities.

The Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors approved a $328 million operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2027. The vote came after board discussions and a public hearing on the budget, the Florida public power utility recently said.