NWPPA Morning Brief - Friday, May 22, 2026

NWPPA Morning Brief — Friday, May 22, 2026 In today's brief: Top Federal Developments FERC Summer Assessment Points to Low Hydro, High Heat, and Wildfire Risk Across the West — https://www.rtoinsider.com/132776-ferc-summer-assessment-expects-high-temps-low-hydropower/ FERC Releases Large-Load Cost Guidelines Ahead of June Order — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-large-load-interconnection-cost-guidelines/820400/ FERC's Chang Confirms End-of-June Timeline on Large-Load Order, Distances Commission from PJM Breakup — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-commissioner-chang-is-not-thinking-about-breaking-up-pjm/820807/ FERC Approves Natural Gas Permitting Reforms to Accelerate Infrastructure Approvals — https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-unleashes-natural-gas-permit-reforms-accelerating-infrastructure-upgrades NRC Accepts Cooper Nuclear Station Subsequent License Renewal Application — https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2026/05/21/2026-10151.html DOE Issues Presidential Permit for Basin Electric's North Dakota–Canada Transmission Lines — https://www.energy.gov/oe/articles/does-office-electricity-issues-presidential-permit-expand-us-canada-grid-reliability House Committee Advances Bill to Streamline Hydropower Permitting on Federal Lands — https://www.eenews.net/articles/committee-oks-bill-to-ease-hydro-permitting/ FERC May Meeting — Order Topics — https://perkinscoie.com/insights/update/ferc-meeting-agenda-summaries-may-2026 Top Regional / State Developments Utah Governor Declares Statewide Drought Emergency After Record-Low Snowpack — https://gephardtdaily.com/local/gov-cox-issues-statewide-drought-emergency-order-following-record-low-snowpack/amp/ NV Energy Pursues $500 Million Wildfire Self-Insurance Pool Funded by Ratepayers — https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/nevadas-wildfire-season-is-coming-should-nv-energy-customers-help-utility-fund-insurance/ Congressional and Federal Agency Scan House Appropriations Approves FY2027 Energy-Water Bill With 8% DOE Cut — https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/doe-funding-would-fall-8-fy-2027-appropriations-bill-approved-house-committee Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan Midwest Utilities Ask FERC to Halt Competitive Transmission Bidding in MISO and SPP — https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/etcc-says-utilities-ask-ferc-to-prohibit-electricity-transmission-competition-to-increase-electricity-prices-and-protect-their-profits-302778065.html NRECA Releases Handbook on Communicating Rates and Affordability to Co-op Members — https://www.cooperative.com/news/Pages/New-Handbook-Guides-Co-ops-on-Member-Communication-Around-Cost-and-Affordability.aspx AI and Large Load Demand Radar FERC's "But For" Cost Test Aims at Data Center Upgrade Cost Recovery — https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-large-load-interconnection-cost-guidelines/820400/ Worth Knowing NRC Moves to Separate Fusion Regulation From Fission Framework — https://www.axios.com/2026/05/22/fusion-energy-simpler-federal-review Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it. Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.