NCPA

The Northern California Power Agency—Bringing the Benefits of Joint Action to California for Over 55 Years

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

NCPA was proud to sponsor the Sustainable Data Centers Symposium at Stanford University today—bringing together leaders from across industry, academia, and government to discuss how we can leverage innovation to responsibly power the next generation of data centers. Special thanks to Palo Alto Mayor and NCPA Commissioner Vicki Veenker for her leadership in planning this important and timely event.

#PublicPower #AI #DataCenters

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

NCPA will be in Washington next week for our annual NCPA/@NWPPAssoc Federal Policy Conference.

Public power leaders from across 10 western states will meet in Washington to hear from key policymakers and advocate on a range of issues of critical importance to public power, including:

- Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Reform
- Hydropower Relicensing and Permitting Reform
- Restoring Federal Support for the Lodi Energy Center Hydrogen Project
- Supporting Agency Staffing and Funding for Federal Hydropower Projects

These aren’t abstract policy discussions. They directly impact the ability of publicly owned utilities to provide safe, reliable, clean, and affordable power.

We look forward to meeting with our Congressional delegation and federal agency offices on these important issues next week.

#publicpower

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

This week, NCPA General Manager Randy S. Howard was honored on the floors of the California State Senate and Assembly on the occasion of his upcoming retirement. Randy was presented with resolutions recognizing his accomplishments from 40 years of service in public power and six years in the United States Air Force.

Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Chair Cottie Petie-Norris stated, “Randy‘s leadership has encouraged the adoption of innovative technologies in the energy sector, helping publicly owned utilities continue to provide affordable, reliable, and safe electricity to their communities while working to meet California’s ambitious climate goals. Randy, thank you so much for your lifetime of service. We are so grateful, and we wish you all the best in your next chapter and your next adventure. On behalf of the California State Assembly, congratulations and thank you.”

NCPA would like to thank @SenRogerNiello, Assemblyman @Patterdude, and Chair @AsmCottie for their remarks and for sponsoring resolutions in the state legislature recognizing Randy’s impact on the energy sector and the state at large. #PublicPower

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

The @NRCgov approved extending Diablo Canyon Power Plant operations—now it’s up to the California State Legislature to act.

Diablo Canyon provides 16% of CA’s zero-carbon electricity. Keeping it online beyond 2030 is critical for electricity reliability & affordability.

Momentum is building, with policies impacting offshore wind & hydrogen currently in flux, now is the time to rethink nuclear for California.

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

Thank you to US Department of Energy Acting Deputy Director of Grid Infrastructure Deployment (and Sacramento native!) Amanda Bradshaw for presenting today before the Transmission Access Policy Study Group (TAPS). We appreciate your valuable insights and leadership on energy policies to promote the reliability of our nation’s electric grid!

TAPS is an association of transmission-dependent electric utilities advocating for open and equitable transmission access, competitive wholesale electric markets, and a strong, resilient grid.

@ENERGY

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

22% of Californians receive power from California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) electric utilities. These community-owned utilities are focused on providing safe, affordable, and reliable power to our communities, and preparing to meet our state’s future power needs.

Last week, NCPA joined partner community-owned utilities from across the state at the CMUA Annual Conference in Monterey. This event provides a valuable opportunity for collaboration, information sharing, and briefings on important issues impacting public power.

Andre Basler, Director of Utilities at the Port of Oakland, an NCPA Member Utility, highlighted efforts to support innovation and growth at the Port. NCPA General Manager Randy Howard also spoke at the Conference, sharing his reflections on 40+ years in public power, and a positive outlook for the future. “The technologies have changed, some of the policies have changed, but our core responsibility remains: Serving our communities with reliable, affordable power.”

#publicpower
#CMUAconf

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

As data centers & AI drive historic load growth, legislators in DC and Sacramento are examining the impact of data centers on electricity affordability. Hear how the the City of Santa Clara and public power are leading the way in protecting electricity affordability while supporting responsible data center development that aligns with local values. @publicpowerorg @CMUA_Tweets #PublicPower #AI #datacenters

[Public Power @publicpowerorg]

Today on Capitol Hill, Randy Howard of @NCPA_Alert, and Mason Baker of @UAMPS_, advocated for crucial #PublicPower legislative priorities before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee. A huge thanks to Randy and Mason! #WildfireMitigation #EnergyPolicy #EnergyLeadership

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

The NCPA delegation has arrived in Washington, D.C. for the @publicpowerorg Legislative Rally! 🏛️ This annual event provides a valuable opportunity for community-owned electric utilities to come together and collectively advocate on issues of critical importance to our customers and our communities. #PublicPower

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

Whether you were rooting for the Seahawks or the Patriots (or Bad Bunny), the #energy at the Super Bowl yesterday was strong!

Shoutout to NCPA member @SantaClaraPower (SVP) for keeping Levi’s Stadium lit, loud, and fully online when the stakes were high.

[Silicon Valley Power @SantaClaraPower]

🏈⚡ It’s game day!

While the big game takes center stage, SVP crews are behind the scenes keeping Santa Clara powered up, from stadium lights to living room TVs.

Big plays. Big moments. Reliable power.
We power that.

Enjoy the game, we’ve got it covered. 💡🔥

#WePowerThat

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

AI and data centers are driving historic load growth in California. Meeting it requires a pragmatic assessment of resources to power the future. What’s needed is an extension of the operation of Diablo Canyon and access to out-of-state small modular reactors to support our decarbonization goals and promote reliability and affordability for consumers.

Reliability is the foundation of innovation.

#PublicPower #GridReliability #AI

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

Nico Procos, Silicon Valley Power’s Electric Utility Director, testified today during the Assembly Utilities and Energy and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committees’ joint oversight hearing on the energy impacts of #AI, to present on the historic load growth challenges posed by #datacenters and AI’s impact on California’s grid.

During his testimony, Nico outlined how NCPA member Silicon Valley Power (@SantaClaraPower) in the City of Santa Clara is laying the groundwork to meet the AI moment, including a $459 million investment in a system expansion program, designed to double electric load capacity to meet current and future demand. The utility has also developed innovative programs to assure that the influx of data centers in their city aligns with their community’s long-term values and goals, including environmental sustainability and electricity affordability.

Thank you to Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Chair Cottie Petrie-Norris for the opportunity to present on this timely issue, and for the Committee’s continued focus on the policy issues of importance to California’s electricity consumers.

#PublicPower

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

We’ve had a busy start to the week in Sacramento, wrapping up a successful 2026 Public Power #CapitolDay, culminating in the presentation of our 2026 NCPA Public Power Champion Award.

On Monday, NCPA members—including several elected and appointed officials from our communities—met with state lawmakers to advance consumer-focused, clean energy policies to ensure a reliable and affordable electricity supply for California. We’re pleased to see growing interest in action on the pressing issues surrounding #wildfire liability reform, and streamlined permitting to both advance clean #energy goals and harden infrastructure to prevent future wildfires.

We closed out with NCPA Chair and Mayor of the @CityBiggs, Bo Sheppard, and CEO and Electric Utility Director for the @cityroseville, Dan Beans, presenting this year’s Public Power Champion Award to Assemblymember Joe Patterson (@Patterdude). This recognition honors his work to advance common-sense policies that benefit public power customers and communities across California.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to advocate for energy policies that advance affordability and provide needed solutions to the challenges facing the electricity sector today.

#PublicPower

See Pictured: Assemblymember Marc Berman (@AsmMarcBerman), Assemblymember Joe Patterson (@Patterdude), Assemblymember Chris Rogers (@ChrisRogers_CA), Assembly Utilities and Energy Chair Cottie Petrie-Norris (@AsmCottie), and Senator Megan Dahle (@SenMeganDahle).

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

Our policy discussions during this week’s NCPA Strategic Issues Conference have had several recurring themes—including the need for wildfire liability reform, the value of new resources—including small modular reactors and hydrogen—to meet California’s energy goals, and next steps on the implementation of a regional market in the West. 

We were honored to have outstanding speakers join us to highlight these and other issues, including Maria Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer of @portlandgeneral; Senator Mike McGuire (@ilike_mike), Senate President pro Tem Emeritus; Senator @TimGraysonCA, Majority Whip of the California State Senate; Assemblymember @ChrisRogers_CA; Christine Hironaka, Senior Advisor, and Grant Mack, Deputy Legislative Secretary from the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (@GovPressOffice); Kathleen Staks, Executive Director, Western Freedom; Elliot Mainzer, President and CEO of the @CaliforniaISO; Paul Lau, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the @SMUDUpdates; Kurt Miller, CEO and Executive Director of @NWPPAssoc, and; Phyllis Currie, Retired General Manager, @PWPnews. 

As Maria Pope said this week, “There is no question we are all better off when we work together,” and we’re so very pleased to have had the opportunity this week to examine these issues and identify areas of shared interest and concern across the electricity industry.

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

Welcome to Sacramento! We’re live at our annual Strategic Issues Conference this morning, and look forward to hearing from policymakers and thought leaders on the key energy policy issues that will shape California’s legislative and regulatory agenda in the coming year. Thank you to Assemblymember Chris Rogers ( @ChrisRogers_CA ) for kicking off our program with valuable insights on wildfire policy and electricity affordability.

#NCPACon

[NCPA @NCPA_Alert]

NCPA applauds the California State Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee’s passage of AB 34.

By helping to ensure that public power communities continue to receive the full value of longstanding investments in clean, emission-free energy from the federal hydropower resources of the Central Valley Project, the committee has taken an important step toward protecting electricity affordability for consumers in Northern California.

NCPA thanks @AsmJoePatterson, @SenJoshBecker, and @AsmMarcBerman for their leadership on this vital extension of existing state policy in this area.