NEWS: Despite a warm Western winter, hydro forecasts are up this year.

EIA expects US hydropower generation to rise 5% this year, reaching 259 BkWh. The main driver? Stronger output in the Northwest and Rockies, where generation is forecast to jump 17% from 2025. Still, the West’s record-high winter temps and “snow drought” will likely keep the country’s hydro generation below the 10-year average.

Meanwhile, FERC just greenlit the market rules for the 1.25-GW Champlain Hudson Power Express, a $6B transmission line set to send Hydro-Québec power to NYC beginning in May. It’ll deliver 10.4 TWh/yr under a 25-year contract with NYSERDA.