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EIA Analysis of Southwest Hydropower Generation Shows Record Lows and Slow Recovery

LCG, November 13, 2026--The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) today issued an "In-Brief Analysis" highlighting the record lows for hydropower generation in the Southwest this summer. The prolonged drought conditions affecting the Colorado River Basin caused record low hydropower generation this summer in the Southwestern electricity supply region, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, and small parts of Nevada and California. Hydropower generation from April through August 2026 was a full 28 percent lower than the 10-year average and 19 percent lower than during the same period last year.

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NRC Issues Construction Permit for Long Mott High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Reactor in Texas

LCG, November 11, 2026--The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced on November 9 that it has approved the Construction Permit Application ("CPA") for the Long Mott Generating Station in Texas. Long Mott Energy, LLC (LME) must obtain a separate operating license from the NRC before loading fuel or operating the reactors.

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Industry News

ERCOT reviewed Frio County Transmission Project

June 18, 2020 - In November 2019, 7X Energy submitted the Frio County Transmission Project to the ERCOT Regional Planning Group (RPG) as an economic-driven project to address projected transmission congestion in the Frio County area. This is supported by an independent economic benefit study performed by LCG Consulting using its proprietary UPLAN model, the same economic planning model utilized by ERCOT, in accordance with ERCOT procedures. LCG’s analysis shows significant annual production cost benefit for the transmission upgrades in question.

In the independent review completed in May 2020, ERCOT identified transmission congestion on the 69-kV and 138-kV transmission system in Frio County, and a total of seven transmission upgrade options were evaluated. ERCOT concluded that the upgrades identified in Option 5 would provide the most cost-effective solution to the identified congestion while meeting the ERCOT economic planning criteria. Option 5 is estimated to cost $12.13 million and is described as follows:
  • Rebuild the Moore – Big Foot 138-kV line such that the summer normal and emergency ratings are at least 485 MVA

  • Reconductor the Moore – Hondo Creek 138-kV line such that the summer normal and emergency ratings are at least 382 MVA

The recommended option is classified as a Tier 2 project based on the ERCOT Protocol Section 3.11.4.3(2), and the project is expected to be in-service by Summer 2021.
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