LPPC

Public power is entering the most consequential period in the history of the U.S. electric grid. On November 3rd and 4th, LPPC's 2026 Members Conference will bring together the leaders of the nation's largest public power utilities to Austin, Texas to confront the challenges and opportunities ahead. Hear from the CEOs of co-host utilities Stuart Reilly of @austinenergy and @RudyDGarza of @LCRA on why this conference matters — and how LPPC members are preparing to meet unprecedented load growth while continuing to deliver the reliable, affordable energy more than 30 million Americans expect and deserve.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? 𝗟𝗣𝗣𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 · 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 · 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯 · 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝟭 · 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Prepays lower what public power customers pay for electricity and natural gas. The panel covers what a deal saves customers, the risks each party takes on, and how the structure works. Michael Berwanger (PFM), Joseph Natoli (@GoldmanSachs) and Brian Gilliland (@SoutheastAlGas - Southeast Energy Authority), moderated by Adam Barsky, EVP and CFO of the @NYPAenergy #lppcmembersconference #publicpower #publicpoweron #austin #texas

Real leadership starts with empowering the leaders around you. In the third and final chapter of LPPC’s three-part CEO Leadership Series, Jim Pratt, General Manager & CEO of @SRPconnect, shares his perspective on leading a public power utility with a strong commitment to the customers and communities it serves. Jim discusses the importance of committing to a strategic vision, dedicating time to advancing organizational goals, and how listening to and learning from the leaders around him has been essential to making informed decisions and driving long-term success. "I truly believe, and I always have, that if you put a group of smart people in a room and let them contribute to the fullest extent possible, that's how you move mountains." LPPC thanks Jim, Justin, and Jolene for their leadership and steadfast commitment to their employees and communities.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱? 𝗟𝗣𝗣𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 · 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 · 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯 · 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝟭 · 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 Utilities build for a few dozen peak hours a year. Home batteries, utility demand response, and data centers that can flex are testing how much more the grid we have can carry, and policymakers are starting to write the rules for what counts. Introduction by @ZachBDell (@basepowerco), Jed Cohen (@SRPconnect), @Neva_M_Espinoza (@EPRINews) and @jkapsis (@adhocgroupinc), moderated by @StuartReillyATX of @austinenergy. #lppcmembersconference #publicpower #publicpoweron #austin #texas

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺? 𝗟𝗣𝗣𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 · 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 · 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯 · 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮 · 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 LPPC members expect to spend more than twice as much a year on their systems through 2029 as they averaged over the past decade. Delivering that much, that fast, takes new approaches to design, procurement, and construction. Albert Eliasen (SBS, a part of @EnverusEnergy), David Sorrick (Pike Corporation) and Jason Allukian (@GEP_Worldwide), moderated by Yvette Cardiel-Perez (@cpsenergy). #lppcmembersconference #publicpower #publicpoweron #austin #texas

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? ⚡ 𝗟𝗣𝗣𝗖 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 · 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 · 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯 · 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭 · 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗼𝘂𝘁 AI load is reshaping forecasts, capital plans, and rates. The panel takes up how much of the projected load will arrive, what utilities need to know about who is coming, how costs are shared between new and existing customers, and what flexibility large customers can bring. 🎤 Will Conkling (@Google) and Nur Bernhardt (Cloverleaf Infrastructure), moderated by Daniel Sullivan (@grda_ok). #lppcmembersconference #publicpower #publicpoweron #austin #texas

Data centers and other large users have asked 13 public power utilities for 97 gigawatts of new service. That is more electricity than all of Texas used on its hottest day, and enough to more than triple their systems. We want to serve this growth without shifting its cost to the families and businesses we already serve. @USTreasury regulations written in 2002 stand in the way: they cap public power’s contracts with these customers at three years. When a three-year contract ends and a data center uses less than it asked for, existing customers pay for the plants and power lines built to serve it. The rest of the industry asks data centers for 10- to 20-year commitments. When public power does the same, Treasury’s regulations impose a tax penalty that forces utilities to refinance existing tax-exempt bonds at taxable rates, at a cost of billions of dollars. Treasury wrote these regulations, and Treasury can fix them. It should act before the Senate returns in November, when it plans to take up a permitting bill that would require utilities to sign the long-term data center contracts Treasury’s regulations penalize. See what’s at stake below. 👇 More information on private business use: lppc.org/private-use

Leadership in public power is rooted in a commitment to public service. In Chapter 2 of LPPC's three-part CEO Leadership Series, Justin E. Driscoll, President & CEO of the @NYPAenergy, reflects on the professional journey that led him to lead one of the nation's largest public power utilities, the privilege and responsibility of serving New Yorkers, and his commitment to building on NYPA's legacy of delivering reliable, affordable electricity to the communities it serves. "For us, given the great legacy the authority has, there's a certain responsibility to make sure you're maintaining that historic role the organization has played, and always try to push the envelope and do more for the people of New York." Hear Justin's perspective on what it means to lead with purpose and carry forward public power's mission for future generations.

Strong leadership starts with a strong team. In Chapter 1 of LPPC's three-part CEO Leadership Series, @JoleneMThompson, President & CEO of @amppublicpower, shares her perspective on what makes an effective leadership team, the importance of translating strategic planning into action, and the unique responsibility public power leaders have to the customers and communities they serve. "I think people who don't understand the public power business model don't realize all the attributes. We are truly focused on doing the right thing for the customer, that's who we're accountable to." In the video below, hear Jolene's insights on how strong leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to public service drive organizational success. We look forward to having Jolene speak at LPPC's 2026 Members Conference in Austin, Texas next week on our leadership roundtable: "Stepping into the Chair."

Today, LPPC President @EnergyFalcone joined @SPGlobal’s Power Play panel in New York City to discuss affordability, rising infrastructure costs, and new demand from data centers. His message: public power has kept rates well below inflation, rising about two-thirds as fast as prices generally over the last 15 years. With LPPC members planning about $166 billion of investment over the next decade, Tom emphasized that the central question isn't whether data centers will drive new costs, but who pays for them. LPPC members are already implementing large-load tariffs, long-term contracts, and financial safeguards to ensure new customers pay their fair share without shifting costs onto existing residential and business customers. However, outdated federal tax regulations governing private business use continue to complicate these protections for tax-exempt public power utilities. As the industry navigates this historic investment cycle, public power remains focused on its core mission: delivering reliable, affordable electricity while ensuring the costs of growth are allocated fairly. Learn more: lppc.org/private-use

Securing America's electric grid starts with a supply chain that is secure, reliable, and affordable. LPPC and @publicpowerorg submitted joint comments to @ENERGY on implementing Executive Order 14421, outlining public power's recommendations for strengthening the security of the nation's bulk-power system while protecting grid reliability and customer affordability. We share DOE's goal of keeping foreign adversaries out of the grid, and our comments are meant to make that goal workable. As utilities make historic investments in grid infrastructure, new supply chain security requirements must be risk-based, practical to implement, and cost-conscious. Our recommendations call for prioritizing the most critical grid infrastructure, strengthening federal-industry information sharing, improving supply chain transparency, leveraging existing reliability standards, and mitigating risk in installed equipment rather than replacing it, to avoid unnecessary costs and project delays. For not-for-profit public power utilities, every dollar spent on equipment, compliance, or delays is ultimately paid by the communities that own them. Read our joint comments: cdn.prod.website-files.com/6…

The third and final chapter of the Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium's CEO video series, "The Future of Advanced Nuclear: Public Power's Cost of Capital Advantage," explores a key strength public power brings to new nuclear development: its not-for-profit, community-owned business model. With access to tax-exempt debt, no shareholders to pay, and no corporate income tax, how can public power's lower cost of capital help finance the next generation of nuclear projects? And how do federal investment and production tax credits, available to public power through direct-pay provisions, help put new nuclear within reach for more communities? LPPC thanks Tom Kent, President & CEO of @NPPDnews; Emeka Anyanwu, CEO of @LESupdates; Dan Sullivan, President & CEO of @grda_ok; and Javier Fernandez, President & CEO of @OPPDCares, for their leadership in advancing the future of nuclear generation across the Great Plains and the nation.

What role can the federal government play in supporting new nuclear projects in the U.S.? In Chapter 2 of the Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium CEO Video Series, "The Future of Advanced Nuclear: The Role of the Federal Government," CEOs of the consortium share what they view as the biggest hurdles to new nuclear deployment: financing, cost overrun risk, tax credit rules, workforce, and supply chain. "We have to get to an order book of 10, 12, 15 units, and that's what the industry's trying to do, and that's where I think this consortium can play a big role," said Tom Kent, President & CEO of Nebraska Public Power District. Watch the video below to hear how federal policy can help public power bring new nuclear to the Great Plains and across the U.S. Tom Kent, President & CEO, @NPPDnews Javier Fernandez, President & CEO, @OPPDCares Emeka Anyanwu, CEO, @LESupdates Daniel Sullivan, President & CEO, @grda_ok

CEOs of LPPC member utilities convened in Fort Collins, Colorado, over the weekend for LPPC's fall CEO meeting, hosted by @PRPAuthority. Lanny Nickell, President & CEO of @SPPorg, joined the group to discuss challenges every public power utility now faces, inside or outside an organized market. → How much new load is firm enough to plan around? → What can flexible load and conditional service contribute to reliability? → Who should pay for the generation and transmission that new load requires? LPPC thanks Lanny for sharing his expertise and for his leadership as public power works to meet unprecedented demand while maintaining its core commitment to reliable, affordable electricity.

Next week, LPPC President @EnergyFalcone will join @NRECANews CEO @NRECAJim, @CEBAPower CEO Rich Powell, and @USEnergyAssoc Chair Mark Menezes at @POWERmagazine @Experience_PWR for the panel, “Inside the Issues: How Industry Associations Are Helping Members Navigate a Changing Energy Landscape.” Tom will share the public power perspective on one of the industry’s defining challenges: meeting unprecedented load growth while protecting grid reliability and customer affordability. Ahead of the discussion, watch the video below to hear Tom explain how public power utilities approach long-term resource planning and load forecasting, allocate costs across customer classes, and evaluate the role of AI and data center load flexibility in supporting a reliable grid. Audio courtesy of @WoodMackenzie.

$166 billion. Ten years. One mission: reliable, affordable public power. Last week, LPPC President @EnergyFalcone joined Patrick Hennigan of @PGE4Me and Joel Yu of ERock at the 2026 @NCEWConf Policymaker Symposium, hosted by @CRESenergy, for a conversation moderated by Nidhi Thakar of @CEBAPower: "Demand and Opportunity: How AI is Reshaping American Energy." LPPC members already power roughly 18 percent of the nation's data center load and expect to connect roughly a third of what comes next. To serve it, they plan to invest $166 billion in generation, storage, transmission, and distribution over the next decade, adding more than 59 gigawatts of new capacity to the 110 they operate today. Tom's message was direct: no developer builds a skyscraper without a tenant financially committed to the space, and the same standard should apply when a service request triggers grid investment. A customer's willingness to contract for what they are asking utilities to build is the best evidence that the demand is real. LPPC members are not-for-profit, owned by the 30.5 million Americans they serve, and governed by boards that meet in public. There is no shareholder to absorb a mistake, which is why building this right matters.

What role can public power play in deploying the next generation of nuclear energy in the U.S.? In Chapter 1 of the Great Plains New Nuclear Consortium CEO Video Series, "The Future of Advanced Nuclear: A Public Power Perspective," CEOs if the Consortium share their perspectives on the opportunity for new nuclear development in Nebraska and Oklahoma — and how collaboration, public power’s unique financing model, and federal partnership can help move projects forward to address growing demand while advancing economic growth in the Great Plains region. The Consortium represents public power at its best: collaboration, innovation, and leadership in meeting America’s growing demand for reliable, affordable energy. LPPC thanks the following CEOs for their leadership: Tom Kent, President & CEO, @NPPDnews Javier Fernandez, President & CEO, @OPPDCares Emeka Anyanwu, CEO, @LESupdates @ Dan Sullivan, President & CEO, @grda_ok

⚡Member Spotlight ⚡ | LPPC congratulates @grda_ok on the completion and dedication of Unit 4 at the Grand River Energy Center — a $525 million investment in reliable, flexible generation. The new 426-MW, fast-start J-class Mitsubishi Power combustion turbine is the first M501JAC unit in the U.S. to operate in simple-cycle configuration. The hydrogen-capable turbine is designed to provide the rapid start-up and operational flexibility GRDA needs to serve customers across the wind-heavy @SPPorg region. Developed in collaboration with @Black_Veatch and @Power_MHI, Unit 4 demonstrates how public power is investing in advanced generation technology and strong industry partnerships to meet growing energy demand while maintaining reliability for the communities it serves. #publicpower #publicpoweron #reliability #generation