The Department of the Interior on Jan. 17 announced an updated roadmap for solar energy development across the West, which is “designed to expand solar energy production in more Western states and make renewable energy siting and permitting on America’s public lands more efficient,” it said.

South Carolina’s Santee Cooper recently announced four new appointments to its management team -- Director of Inclusive Strategies Traci Grant, Senior Director of Generation Carey Salisbury, General Auditor Jason McKinney and General Manager of Projects and Construction Scott Smith.

Joy Liechty has joined Washington State’s Jefferson County PUD as its new Assistant General Manager.

Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and establishes new limitations on federal efficiency rules for specific distribution transformers.

Hydropower has played a key role in helping to bolster the Pacific Northwest’s power grid this month as wind, snow, ice, freezing rain, and record-breaking temperatures have gripped the region, the Public Power Council reported on Jan. 19.

Public power utilities in Oregon have made significant progress with power restoration efforts after an ice storm hit the state. The Eugene Water and Electric Board on Friday, Jan. 19 reported that a majority of EWEB crews traveled up the McKenzie River Valley first thing Friday to restore power for