NWPPA Morning Brief - Wednesday, May 13, 2026

NWPPA Morning Brief — Wednesday, May 13, 2026 In today's brief: Top Federal Developments FERC Chair questions whether PJM is structurally too large to manage AI load growth — https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/ai-boom-shows-top-us-grid-too-big-to-function-regulator-says FERC signals June action on interconnection and large-load connections — https://broadbandbreakfast.com/ferc-targets-data-center-interconnection-delays/ DOE pursues state partnerships on spent nuclear fuel storage and recycling — https://www.utilitydive.com/ Top Regional / State Developments Basin Electric breaks ground on 1,490-MW Bison gas plant in North Dakota — https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-releases/Basin-Electric-breaks-ground-on-historic-generation-facility.html Flathead Electric Cooperative secures 130 MW from northern Idaho gas plant — https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2026/may/13/co-op-plugs-in-to-new-gas-facility/ Montana PSC opens four-day NorthWestern–Black Hills merger hearing — https://dailymontanan.com/2026/05/12/northwestern-black-hills-merger-hearing/ Colorado data center bills both die in committee — https://www.kiowacountypress.net/content/both-colorado-data-center-bills-rejected-final-days-2026-legislative-session LADWP resumes Pacific Palisades billing after January fires — https://palisadesnews.com/ladwp-resumes-billing-in-palisades-offers-relief-measures/ Congressional and Federal Agency Scan House Energy and Commerce Chair Guthrie pushes back on federal transmission siting — https://www.eenews.net/articles/guthrie-warns-against-giving-feds-more-power-over-grid/ Advocacy and Legal Signal Scan California wildfire liability framework draws broad opposition at Capitol hearings — https://consumerwatchdog.org/energy/wildfire-survivors-consumer-groups-insurers-public-entities-oppose-limits-on-survivors-rights-at-hearings-in-ca-capitol-on-cea-sb-254-report/ California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety issues Horizon West Transmission WMP performance report — https://energysafety.ca.gov/news/2026/04/20/energy-safety-issues-annual-performance-report-on-horizon-west-transmissions-2024-wildfire-mitigation-plan/ Pilot notice: AI-generated daily briefing. Verify before acting on it. Feel free to reach out if you have comments or concerns.