A high-stakes power struggle is unfolding at the US-Canadian border as Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to "shut electricity off completely" to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota in response to Trump administration tariffs. This 25% retaliatory tariff represents approximately $7 USD per megawatt-hour, potentially creating significant economic inefficiencies for consumers on both sides of the border.

The western power market landscape is shifting dramatically with Bonneville Power Administration's draft decision to join Southwest Power Pool's Markets Plus platform instead of California ISO's competing market. Despite potentially greater financial benefits from the California option, BPA cited concerns about governance, resource adequacy, and carbon accounting. With BPA controlling 22.4 gigawatts of hydroelectric power and thousands of transmission miles, this decision signals a significant realignment in western energy markets.

Vehicle-to-grid technology is advancing rapidly, with Kia taking pre-orders for its Quasar 2 home charger and accompanying hardware to enable bidirectional charging from its EV9 electric SUV. The $6,440 system will allow owners to use their vehicles for home backup power and grid services. Meanwhile, Nuvi secured a $400 million contract from New Mexico to electrify state vehicle fleets and build vehicle-to-grid infrastructure. In Texas, ambitious plans for 30 micro-nuclear reactors near Dallas aim to power the region's booming data center industry, though regulatory hurdles and public opposition remain significant barriers. The Lone Star State is also grappling with unusually low wind speeds, which have decreased wind generation by 18% compared to last year, forcing record fossil fuel use at a time when spring maintenance would normally occur. What does this mean for grid reliability as we head into summer?

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