Governor Kathy Hochul on April 5 announced $3.5 million in technical assistance funding is now available to support the development of electric grid modernization project proposals through the state’s Grid Modernization Program.

The American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the Edison Electric Institute asked the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to extend by 30 days the comment period on a proposed rule that would require some critical infrastructure operators to report covered cybersecurity incidents and ransomware payments to CISA.

One hundred forty-five utilities have earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2023, APPA said on April 9. The Safety Awards have been held annually for more than 65 years.

Chuck Bowlin, President and CEO of Tennessee public power utility Greeneville Energy Authority, recently passed away unexpectedly. Bowlin had served in the role of President and CEO since July 2020.

The Department of the Interior recently announced a $19 million investment to install solar panels over irrigation canals in California, Oregon and Utah. They are being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, which makes available $25 million for the design, study and implementation of projects to cover Reclamation-related water conveyance facilities with solar panels.