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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

Big Stone II Coal Project Canceled

LCG, November 4, 2009--MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) announced Monday that the Big Stone II Project, a proposed coal-fired electric generating unit, and its associated transmission upgrades, will not be built. The proposed unit was sited adjacent to the existing, 450-MW Big Stone facility located near the Minnesota-South Dakota border.

Montana-Dakota Utilities (a subsidiary of MDU) President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We will now look at other supply options that are reliable and cost-beneficial for our customers. We have plans to expand our wind production by 30 megawatts in 2010 and will review other generation options."

The Big Stone II project was estimated to cost about $1.6 billion, excluding transmission upgrades, and the operational date had been delayed to late 2015.

In June 2005, seven utilities announced their plan to develop a 630-MW unit that would be operational by 2011. In 2007, two of the utilities, Great River Energy and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, withdrew from the project, leaving five co-owners: Otter Tail Power Co., Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Heartland Consumers Power District, Missouri River Energy Services and Montana-Dakota Utilities.

On January 22, 2009, the last day the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could act on the permit, the EPA issued a written objection to the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources approval of the permit for the project that created a new hurdle for the project.

In September of this year, Otter Tail Power Company President and CEO stated that the broad economic downturn, coupled with a high level of uncertainty associated with proposed federal climate legislation and existing federal environmental regulation, have resulted in challenging credit and equity markets that make proceeding with Big Stone II at this time untenable for Otter Tail?s customers and shareholders.

On Monday, the remaining partners announced that the plant would not be built.
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