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SPP and Member Utilities Successfully Achieve Western Expansion Milestone

LCG, April 2, 2026--Southwest Power Pool (SPP) today announced that the expansion of its service territory into the Western Interconnection has been a success. The milestone makes SPP the first regional transmission organization (RTO) with services spanning the Eastern and Western Interconnections. Its member organizations, which cover all or part of 17 states, can now benefit from a more operationally and geographically diverse integrated system.

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Holtec Achieves Milestone towards Restarting Palisades Nuclear Facility and Advances Plans to Build Two SMRs at Palisades Site

LCG, March 31, 2026--Holtec International yesterday announced that it successfully completed a milestone test necessary to return Holtec's Palisades Nuclear Generating Station to service. The 805-MW pressurized water reactor (PWR) is located in Michigan and was shut down by Entergy in May 2022. Holtec acquired the facility in June 2022 and has pursued a path to return the plant to service.

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Industry News

SPP and Member Utilities Successfully Achieve Western Expansion Milestone

LCG, April 2, 2026--Southwest Power Pool (SPP) today announced that the expansion of its service territory into the Western Interconnection has been a success. The milestone makes SPP the first regional transmission organization (RTO) with services spanning the Eastern and Western Interconnections. Its member organizations, which cover all or part of 17 states, can now benefit from a more operationally and geographically diverse integrated system.

SPP's transition to the expanded RTO operations commenced at midnight central time on April 1. The transition occurred after months of intensive testing, simulation, and joint operational coordination with dozens of participating utilities. SPP’s service territory now includes resources and customers of utilities in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. In total, SPP now serves a 732,000 square-mile region that is home to 20 million people.

RTO members and participants in SPP’s wholesale market gain access to the RTO’s growing portfolio of generating resources, innovative planning services, and support in coordinating electric reliability.

SPP's President and CEO stated, "SPP’s western expansion is a landmark milestone for our organization, our new members, and the broader energy industry. This is one of many bold steps we’re taking to deliver long-term value to more consumers."

With the expansion, SPP now serves a 732,000 square-mile region comprising all or part of 17 states and that is home to 20 million people.

SPP expects its participants to receive the same advantages that SPP has delivered across its central U.S. footprint for decades, including: enhanced reliability, lower wholesale energy costs through regional dispatch, transparent and independent grid governance, and efficient planning that supports economic growth. Now, with the larger footprint and greater diversity, SPP anticipates its benefits to members will grow both broader and deeper.

The CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities said, "Joining SPP’s expanded RTO allows us to coordinate across a larger geographic footprint, strengthen reliability and provide our customers the most cost-effective power. We can take full advantage of an increasingly diverse energy mix, providing long term value for customers while supporting future economic growth across the region."

The CEO of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Cooperative stated, "Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association is delighted to join SPP’s RTO in the West. This step strengthens the value we deliver, enhances reliability, and supports long-term cost savings for our members and the communities they serve."

The President and CEO of The Energy Authority said, "The Energy Authority values its longstanding partnership with SPP and appreciates their collaborative approach. TEA is honored to support our clients as they navigate the evolving markets and remain committed to working alongside SPP to ensure a smooth and effective transition."

The entities joining or expanding their participation in the SPP RTO on April 1 include the following: Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Central Montana Electric Power; City of Aztec, New Mexico; City of Farmington, New Mexico; City of Fountain, Colorado; City of Page, Arizona; City of Sidney, Nebraska; Colorado Springs Utilities; Delta-Montrose Electric Association; Deseret Power Electric Cooperative; Guzman Energy; Kimball Wind; La Plata Electric Association; Los Alamos County; Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska; Northwestern Energy; Platte River Power Authority; Tenaska Power Services Co.; The Energy Authority; Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association; United Power; Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) - Upper Great Plains region; WAPA - Colorado River Storage Project region; WAPA - Rocky Mountain region; and Warren Air Force Base.
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