Hydropower generation in the Northwest and Rockies is expected to increase 17% from 2025 levels despite snow drought conditions, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.

The Bonneville Power Administration said it continues to face steep energy deficits under “firm” water conditions over the next 10 years — but the outlook is slightly better than what the agency foresaw a year ago.

Federal agencies urged the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to pause a lower court’s order that would increase spill levels at eight dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, saying the order risks increasing rates and causing costly blackouts.

Despite a few large storms in January and February, California snowpack levels are near record lows due to a heat dome that settled over the state in March.

The Bonneville Power Administration could end up revising its rates to tackle the financial fallout of a federal judge in Oregon ordering increased spill levels at eight dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

IESO’s Long Lead-Time procurement may be delayed beyond its planned April launch because the ISO still is awaiting a directive from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Changing course, IESO agreed to accept separately metered expansions as “new build” projects in its upcoming Long Lead-Time procurement.

A federal judge in Oregon ordered increased spill levels at eight dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers in order to protect endangered salmon species, rejecting claims that doing so would impede power generation.

After a decade of intensive policy work and billions of dollars expended, the state’s grid was more reliant on carbon-based fuels in 2024 than in 2014.

IESO officials held firm on excluding hydro redevelopment projects from the ISO’s Long Lead-Time procurement despite objections from potential bidders.