Energy & Utilities

Clearwater Paper granted intervention in AVISTA energy tariff rider case

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued Order No. 36987 granting Clearwater Paper Corporation's petition to intervene in Avista Corporation's application to increase its Schedule 91 energy efficiency tariff rider. The intervention was granted because no party timely opposed the petition. Clearwater Paper is now an official party of record in Case No. AVU-E-26-01.

Raft River Electric Wildfire Mitigation Plan Approval

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued Order No. 36988 establishing a modified procedure for Raft River Rural Electric Co-op Inc.'s Wildfire Mitigation Plan application under Idaho Code § 61-1801. The Commission is soliciting written public comments through June 4, 2026, with company reply comments due by June 25, 2026. No petitions to intervene were filed.

Energy Efficiency Expenses Approval for Intermountain Gas Company

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued Final Order No. 36989 approving Intermountain Gas Company's request for $4,466,551 in 2024 Energy Efficiency expenditures as prudently incurred. The order covers both Residential EE Program expenses ($3,989,432 revenue) and Commercial EE Program expenses ($294,202 revenue), with 77% of expenditures going to customer rebates. Staff was the only party to file comments; no petitions to intervene were submitted.

IPUC Upholds Intervenor Funding Award to Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission issued Order No. 36991 reaffirming its award of $7,461.63 in intervenor funding to the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association (IIPA) in Case No. IPC-E-25-27. The Commission declined to modify the previously awarded amount despite IIPA's errata correcting its requested amount from $14,923.25 to $7,635.75. Idaho Power is ordered to remit payment within 28 days.

New York Promotes Safe Digging Month and 811 Call Requirement

The New York State Public Service Commission announced April 2026 as Safe Digging Month, promoting the legal requirement for excavators and contractors to call 811 before any digging project. The Commission oversees gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety across nearly 100,000 miles of infrastructure in the state. Excavators who damage underground facilities due to failure to follow regulations are subject to civil penalties and liable for repair and loss of commodity costs.

Approval of Two Renewable Energy Projects - Agricola Wind and Flat Creek Solar

The New York State Department of Public Service announced that the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued final siting permits for the Agricola Wind Project (99 MW) and Flat Creek Solar Project (300 MW). The combined 399 MW of renewable energy will power nearly 55,000 homes, create 210 construction jobs, and offset approximately 350,000 tons of CO2 per year.

Ameren Missouri Vanduser Switching Station CCN Approval

The Missouri Public Service Commission approved Ameren Missouri's Certificate of Convenience and Necessity request to construct the Vanduser Switching Station in Stoddard County. The project will interconnect a generating plant with the Missouri transmission grid, with interconnection costs covered by the customer under FERC Order 888 requirements.

Missouri PSC reminds residents to call 811 before digging

The Missouri Public Service Commission issued a press release reminding residents and businesses to contact 811 before any digging project, in observance of National Safe Digging Month. The notice reinforces existing Missouri law requiring advance utility location requests at least three working days before excavation. The free 811 service notifies utility providers to mark underground facilities to prevent damage, injuries, and service disruptions.

East Kentucky Power Project 44 Conference Scheduling Order

The Kentucky Public Service Commission granted East Kentucky Power Cooperative's motion to schedule an informal conference for Project 44 on April 10, 2026, and extended EKPC's response deadline from March 27, 2026 to April 13, 2026. The conference will address environmental compliance plan issues related to Case No. 2025-00053.

Crab Run Solar Merchant Plant Intervention Order

The Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting issued an order granting intervention status to multiple adjacent landowners in Case No. 2025-00276. The intervenors (Aundrea Mattingly George, Tiffiney Mattingly, Eleanor Mills George, Brian Mattingly, Matthew Morris, Ann Taylor Morris, Blake Thomas, Olivia Thomas, Bobby Thomas, and others) demonstrated property interests bordering the proposed Crab Run Solar project in Marion County. The Siting Board granted their motions to intervene in the proceeding for a 45 MW merchant solar electric generating facility.