Tennessee public power utility Nashville Electric Service reported that it has made significant progress in restoring power to customers that were impacted by Winter Storm Fern.

The following is a transcript of the Dec. 1, 2025, 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 News

Rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers, electrification, and other sources can -- under certain conditions -- lower average retail electricity rates while enabling needed grid investments, according to findings released by the Electric Power Research Institute.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved an unprecedented reduction in its CleanPowerSF electricity rates, cutting generation charges by 20% to 25%. The rate cuts will take effect March 1.

Santee Cooper personnel are making preparations for the effects anticipated winter weather may have on Santee Cooper’s customers, the South Carolina public power utility said on Jan. 29.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended four emergency orders to mitigate the risk of blackouts in the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic ahead of extended winter weather.