Plugged In | November 2025

Plugged In | November 2025

Wildfire Mitigation: Wildfire Mitigation Plans, State Funding Pools and Public Safety Power Shutoffs

Wildfires are increasingly becoming a destructive phenomenon around the nation. Western states have been at the forefront of wildfire policy innovation.

NCSL: https://www.ncsl.org/energy/wildfire-mitigation-wildfire-mitigation-plans-state-funding-pools-and-public-safety-power-shutoffs

Navigating the Future of Resource Adequacy

After a decade of limited electricity demand growth, the U.S. is now entering a period of increasing demand fueled by electrification and the expansion of data centers and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, new energy resources are looking to come online as states pursue clean energy targets. Join us for a discussion on balancing future energy supply and demand.

NCSL: https://www.ncsl.org/events/details/navigating-the-future-of-resource-adequacy

Western States Brace for a Uranium Boom

As the nation looks to recharge its nuclear power industry, old uranium mines are looking to start up again while new ones seek expedited permitting. 

Inside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/02112025/west-braces-for-uranium-boom-as-nuclear-makes-comeback/

CPV Secures $1.1bn Funding for 1,350 MW Gas-Fired Power Plant in Texas

Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) has obtained a $1.1 billion loan from the Texas Energy Fund to build a new gas-fired power plant in the Permian Basin capable of producing 1,350 MW. 

Energy News: https://energynews.pro/en/cpv-secures-1-1bn-funding-for-1350-mw-gas-fired-power-plant-in-texas/

Illinois House Passes Bill to Expedite Energy Storage to Stabilize Grid

The Illinois House passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (SB 25) incentivizing new storage buildouts of up to 3 GW of utility-scale battery storage to accommodate increasing energy demand. 

Solar Power World: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2025/10/illinois-house-passes-bill-to-expedite-energy-storage-to-stabilize-grid/

Xcel Energy Rolls Out $60 Billion Capital Spending Plan

The plan includes 7.5 GW of renewable generation, 3 GW of gas generation, 1.9 GW of energy storage, 1,500 miles of transmission lines and $5 billion for wildfire mitigation. The investments would be spread across Xcel's service territory including Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. 

Utility Dive: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-energy-rolls-out-60-billion-capital-spending-plan/804355/

NextEra and Google Ink a Deal to Restart Duane Arnold in Iowa

Iowa's sole nuclear power plant, Duane Arnold Energy Center, will return to service in 2029 after NextEra Energy announced plans to reopen the site and a 25-year PPA with Google.

Nuclear Newswire: https://www.ans.org/news/2025-10-28/article-7501/nextera-and-google-ink-a-deal-to-restart-duane-arnold/

Trump Administration Finalizes Plan for Arctic Refuge Oil Leasing

The Trump administration has advanced plans to reopen the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling along with other land swap deals in Alaska. 

Anchorage Daily News: https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2025/10/23/trump-administration-finalizes-plan-for-arctic-refuge-oil-leasing-and-to-allow-controversial-king-cove-and-ambler-roads/

FERC Approves SPP 'Provisional Load' Interconnection Review Process

The FERC has approved the Southwest Power Pool's proposal to study potential data centers and other load additions even when there isn't available power to more appropriately serve future needs. 

Utility Dive: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-spp-provisional-load-process/802701/

Consumers Energy Asks State, Federal Regulators to Approve Sale of 13 Hydroelectric Dams

Michigan-based Consumers Energy is seeking to sell 13 dams to Confluence Hydro for $1 each with an agreement to sell energy, capacity and renewable energy credits back to Consumers Energy.

UpNorthLive: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/consumers-energy-asks-state-federal-regulators-to-approve-sale-of-13-hydroelectric-dams-river-dams-energy-electricity