States, Cities and Counties
States, Cities and Counties
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Maine Gov. Mills Radio Address: Two Years Later, Honoring the Victims and Survivors of the Lewiston Tragedy
AUGUSTA, Maine, Oct. 25 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following radio address:* * *
Two Years Later, Honoring the Victims and Survivors of the Lewiston Tragedy
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.
On October 25, 2023, the folks at Just-in-Time Recreation and at Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston were just doing what many Maine people do all the time. They were bowling with their kids. They were enjoying a cold beer and a game of cornhole after a long day at work. They were spending time with family and friends when their lives were shattered by gunfire. ... Show Full Article AUGUSTA, Maine, Oct. 25 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following radio address: * * * Two Years Later, Honoring the Victims and Survivors of the Lewiston Tragedy Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening. On October 25, 2023, the folks at Just-in-Time Recreation and at Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston were just doing what many Maine people do all the time. They were bowling with their kids. They were enjoying a cold beer and a game of cornhole after a long day at work. They were spending time with family and friends when their lives were shattered by gunfire.Eighteen people lost their lives to a senseless act of violence and many others were injured, their loved ones enduring a pain beyond comprehension.
I read a eulogy once that described grief as "the enormity of the room whose doors have now quietly shut." In the days after that Lewiston tragedy -- when the door to the future was slammed shut for 18 beloved people, our friends, neighbors, family -- our grief felt too great to bear.
Two years later, October 25 remains a difficult day for our state, as it will be for a long time to come. Sometimes loss can be a very lonely experience, especially if other people don't know what to say or what to do to help ease the heartache. But there are people who can help. The Maine Resiliency Center is available to support anyone impacted by the Lewiston tragedy. You can learn more about how to connect with staff via their website, MaineResiliencyCenter.org. If you need to talk to someone right away, you can call the Maine Crisis Line at 9-8-8. And remember, you're not alone.
As we mourn and pay tribute to those we lost two years ago, I hope all Maine people will support the victims' loved ones, and all those who were injured by showing the love that we have in our hearts for each other.
The same love for each other that Jason Walker, Michael Deslauriers, and Joe Walker demonstrated that night two years ago when they rushed the shooter in a courageous attempt to stop him and lost their lives. And when Tom Giberti instinctively ushered a group of children out the back door of the bowling alley, getting shot up himself, shot seven times in the legs while saving those young lives. And when Mike Roderick turned the lights off at Schemengees to obscure the shooter's vision.
The same love for each other that first responders exemplified when they came from far and wide to help, and which every doctor, nurse and health care worker at Central Maine Medical Center proved when they answered the call of duty and did everything they could to save lives.
The same love for each other that ASL interpreters from near and far displayed when, while reeling from the loss of four of their own, they stepped up to make sure that critical information got to those who are deaf and hard of hearing.
And it's the same love that ordinary people across the State of Maine showed all of us when they put a blue heart in their window, when they placed flowers at a memorial, when they wrote a thank you card, when they did a small act of kindness for someone who needed it most.
The enormity of our grief is surpassed only by the magnitude of our love for each other, the people of Maine. Although nothing can lessen their loss, today we grieve with the families of the victims and the survivors of the Lewiston tragedy so that no one feels alone. We open our hearts to those who were injured and to those who are still struggling with the aftermath of that night. And we offer unending gratitude to the people whose heroic actions saved lives and set us on the long and winding road to healing.
This is Governor Janet Mills. God bless you and God bless the memories of those we lost. And God bless the state of Maine. Thank you.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/radio_address/two-years-later-honoring-victims-and-survivors-lewiston-tragedy-2025-10-24
Ind. Utility Regulatory Commission Issues Agenda for Oct. 29 Meeting
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Oct. 25 -- The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission issued the following agenda:* * *
TO: Commission Chairman James F. Huston, Commissioners Veleta and Ziegner
FROM: Commission Technical Divisions
DATE: October 24, 2025
RE: 30-Day Utility Articles for Conference on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 @ 10:00 a.m.
The following thirty-day filings have been submitted to the Commission. Each item was reviewed by the appropriate Commission Technical Divisions and all regulations were met in accordance with 170 IAC 1-6 Thirty-Day Administrative Filing Procedures and Guidelines. ... Show Full Article INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Oct. 25 -- The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission issued the following agenda: * * * TO: Commission Chairman James F. Huston, Commissioners Veleta and Ziegner FROM: Commission Technical Divisions DATE: October 24, 2025 RE: 30-Day Utility Articles for Conference on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. The following thirty-day filings have been submitted to the Commission. Each item was reviewed by the appropriate Commission Technical Divisions and all regulations were met in accordance with 170 IAC 1-6 Thirty-Day Administrative Filing Procedures and Guidelines.Therefore, the following filings listed below and attached hereto are recommended to be considered by the Commission at the next conference:
Attachment Number ... 30-Day Filing No. ... Name of Utility Company ... Type of Request ... Date Received
1 ... 50858 ... Northern Indiana Public Service Co - Gas ... Revisions to Rule 1 - Definitions and Rule 6 - Service Extensions and Modifications to provide clarity, address how growth occurs in NIPSCO's service territory, and capture current business practices of developers to construct residential developments in multiple phases. ... 9/26/2025
2 ... 50859 ... Northern Indiana Public Service Co - Electric ... Revisions to Rule 1 - Definitions and Rule 6 - Service Extensions and Modifications to provide clarity, address how growth occurs in NIPSCO's service territory and capture current business practices of developers to construct residential developments in multiple phases. ... 9/26/2025
* * *
Submitted By: Jane Steinhauer, Director, Energy Division
Filing Party: Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC ("NIPSCO")
30-Day Filing ID No.: 50858
Date Filed: September 26, 2025
Filed Pursuant To: 170 IAC 1-6-1
Request: NIPSCO is proposing revisions to its Rule 1 - Definitions and Rule 6 - Service Extensions and Modifications if its IURC Gas Service Tariff, Original Volume No. 10. NIPSCO's proposed revisions provide clarity, address how growth occurs in its service territory, and capture current business practices of developers to construct residential developments in multiple phases.
Customer Impact: This revision will not affect any rates or charges for any customer taking gas service under the Company's Rates, Rules, and Regulations for Gas Service.
Tariff Page(s) Affected: IURC Gas Service Tariff, Original Volume No. 10, Original Sheet Nos. 10, 12, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26; and First Revised Sheet Nos. 13 and 27.
Staff Recommendations: NIPSCO has met all requirements for its request. Staff recommends approval of the proposed revisions to the tariff language.
* * *
Submitted By: Jane Steinhauer, Director, Energy Division
Filing Party: Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC ("NIPSCO")
30-Day Filing ID No.: 50859
Date Filed: September 26, 2025
Filed Pursuant To: 170 IAC 1-6-1
Request: NIPSCO is proposing revisions to its Rule 1 - Definitions and Rule 6 - Service Extensions and Modifications if its IURC Electric Service Tariff, Original Volume No. 16. NIPSCO's proposed revisions provide clarity, address how growth occurs in its service territory, and capture current business practices of developers to construct residential developments in multiple phases.
Customer Impact: This revision will not affect any rates or charges for any customer taking gas service under the Company's Rates, Rules, and Regulations for Electric Service.
Tariff Page(s) Affected: IURC Gas Service Tariff, Original Volume No. 16, Original Sheet Nos. 11, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, and 30; and First Revised Sheet No.
27.
Staff Recommendations: NIPSCO has met all requirements for its request. Staff recommends approval of the proposed revision to the tariff language.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.in.gov/iurc/energy-division/electricity-industry/utility-articles/
DATCP and USDA Announce Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Equipment-Only Grant Recipients
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 25 -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2025:* * *
DATCP and USDA Announce Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Equipment-Only Grant Recipients
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to award 11 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. The goal of the program is to build resilience across the middle of the ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 25 -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2025: * * * DATCP and USDA Announce Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Equipment-Only Grant Recipients The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to award 11 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. The goal of the program is to build resilience across the middle of thefood supply chain while strengthening local and regional food systems.
The 11 awardees being announced today will receive Equipment-Only grants and will join the 40 Equipment-Only grantees and 30 Infrastructure grantees that were previously awarded through the RFSI Program earlier this year. Collectively, the 81 projects have received $27.2 million.
RFSI grantees are engaged in projects that are expanding middle of the supply chain capacity for locally and regionally produced foods, offering more and better market opportunities to small/mid-sized producers, and increasing access to value-added processing opportunities and storage, aggregation, and distribution infrastructure.
"An efficient food supply chain is vital to keeping Wisconsin farmers thriving and putting food on the table of consumers," said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. "RFSI awardees are using their grants to make innovations and improvements to their operations; develop new products for the consumer marketplace; and create new opportunities in food processing, packaging, and distribution."
In this second round of the program, DATCP received 135 applications requesting more than $10.3 million. The 11 grant recipients and their funded projects, totaling $871,000, are:
* B&E's Trees LLC (doing business as Embark) - Increase access to value-added opportunities for Wisconsin maple producers
* Dalla Terra Pasta - Increase market opportunities for Wisconsin agriculture through local pasta production
* Farm Happy - Purchase a refrigerated delivery vehicle to expand aggregation and distribution of local farm products to regional marketing channels
* Great Waters Nut Company - Grow the Wisconsin hazelnut industry by increasing processing capacity
* Park Ridge Organics - Enhance access to local food by increasing transportation and aggregation
* Red Rivers Finest Maple Syrup - Complete expansion to increase processing capacity
* Savanna Institute's Go-First Farm - Unlock 120,000 lbs. of Wisconsin hazelnuts via installation of a dehydration line
* Squashington Farm - Improve transport and storage capacity to increase local food access
* The Apple Farmer LLC (doing business as Atoms to Apples) - Modernize and increase efficiency of apple cider processing at organic orchard
* Train Family Ecoprises - Capture and add value to excess and blemished produce to increase farmer profitability
* Widmer's Cheese Cellars - Complete milk truck improvements to increase capacity and market reach throughout central Wisconsin
This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the USDA-AMS RFSI Grant Program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. For more information, visit the USDA-AMS webpage at ams.usda.gov.
* * *
Original text here: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/DATCPUSDAAnnounceRFSIEquipmentOnlyGrantRecipients.aspx
Colo. PUC Issues Weekly Meeting Agenda for Oct. 29, 2025
DENVER, Colorado, Oct. 25 -- The Colorado Public Utilities Commission issued the following weekly meeting agenda:* * *
Consent Items
GENERAL MATTERS
1. PROCEEDING NO. 25M-001AGENDA
a. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025
IN THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING THE INTEREST RATE ON CUSTOMER DEPOSITS TO BE PAID BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS WITH FILED TARIFFS OR TERMS OF SERVICE AT THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2026. Analyst(s): Gladys Rey Meghan Ruwet RECOMMENDATION: Open a Telecommunication proceeding, establish the interest rate on customer deposits, issue a decision, a ... Show Full Article DENVER, Colorado, Oct. 25 -- The Colorado Public Utilities Commission issued the following weekly meeting agenda: * * * Consent Items GENERAL MATTERS 1. PROCEEDING NO. 25M-001AGENDA a. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025 IN THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING THE INTEREST RATE ON CUSTOMER DEPOSITS TO BE PAID BY TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS WITH FILED TARIFFS OR TERMS OF SERVICE AT THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2026. Analyst(s): Gladys Rey Meghan Ruwet RECOMMENDATION: Open a Telecommunication proceeding, establish the interest rate on customer deposits, issue a decision, aletter and require compliance filings.
b. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025
IN THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING THE INTEREST RATE ON CUSTOMER DEPOSITS TO BE PAID BY WATER JURISDICTIONAL PROVIDERS IN CALENDAR YEAR 2026. Analyst(s): Christopher Duncan RECOMMENDATION: Open a Water proceeding, establish the interest rate on customer deposits, issue a decision, a letter and require compliance filings.
c. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025
IN THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING THE INTEREST RATE ON CUSTOMER DEPOSITS TO BE PAID BY GAS, AND ELECTRIC JURISDICTIONAL UTILITIES IN CALENDAR YEAR 2026. Analyst(s): Dipesh Dipu RECOMMENDATION: Open individual proceedings by industry, establish the interest rate on customer deposits, issue decisions, letters and require compliance filings.
* * *
TRANSPORTATION
1. PROCEEDING NO. 25A-0372R City and County of Denver, Dept. of Aviation
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR AUTHORITY TO RECONSTRUCT OUTBOUND PENA BLVD BENEATH THE A LINE BRIDGE IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, STATE OF COLORADO.
a. Filing Date and Party: 09/10/2025 City and County of Denver, Dept. of Aviation
Description: Application for an order authorizing reconstruction of pavement beneath an RTD A Line bridge that crosses Pena Blvd near Jeppesen Terminal
Analyst(s): Alan Farrell
RECOMMENDATION: Deem the application complete and grant the application.
b. Filing Date and Party: 09/16/2025 City and County of Denver, Dept. of Aviation
Description: Amended Application
Analyst(s): Alan Farrell
c. Filing Date and Party: 09/23/2025 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT
Description: Entry of Appearance and notice of intervention as of right
Analyst(s): Alan Farrell
RECOMMENDATION: Grant the item.
* * *
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
1. PROCEEDING NO. 25AL-0349T
IN THE MATTER OF ADVICE LETTER NO. 3175 FILED BY QWEST CORPORATION DBA CENTURYLINK QC COLORADO P.U.C. NO. 25 TO INTRODUCE NEW FUNCTIONALITY CALLED GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) ROUTING WHICH ADDS TO THE NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 EMERGENCY SERVICES INTERNET PROTOCOL NETWORK (ESINET) SERVICE, TO BECOME EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025.
a. Filing Date and Party: 08/22/2025 Qwest Corporation d.b.a. CenturyLink QC
Description: Filing to introduce new functionality called Geographical Information System (GIS) Routing
Analyst(s): Daryl Branson
RECOMMENDATION: Allow the item to become effective by operation of law.
b. Filing Date and Party: 09/19/2025 Qwest Corporation d.b.a. CenturyLink QC
Description: 1st Amended Advice Letter No. 3175 changing the effective date to November 3, 2025
Analyst(s): Daryl Branson
c. Filing Date and Party: 10/20/2025 Qwest Corporation d.b.a. CenturyLink QC
Description: 2nd Amended Advice Letter No. 3175
Analyst(s): Daryl Branson
* * *
ENERGY / WATER
1. PROCEEDING NO. 25AL-0378P
IN THE MATTER OF ADVICE LETTER NO. 17 FILED BY PHILLIPS 66 PIPELINE LLC TO FILE AN UPDATED TARIFF WITH ADDITIONAL ORIGIN/DESTINATION PAIRS, TO BECOME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2025.
Filing Date and Party: 09/15/2025 Phillips 66 Pipeline LLC
Description: Filing to add additional origin/destination pairs
Analyst(s): Susan Sampson
RECOMMENDATION: Allow the item to become effective by operation of law.
2. PROCEEDING NO. 25AL-0410P
IN THE MATTER OF ADVICE LETTER NO. 42 FILED BY MAGELLAN PIPELINE COMPANY, LP TO ADD A NEW PRODUCT GRADE, TO BECOME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2025.
Filing Date and Party: 09/30/2025 Magellan Midstream Partners
Description: Filing to add a new product grade
Analyst(s): Susan Sampson
RECOMMENDATION: Allow the item to become effective by operation of law.
3. PROCEEDING NO. 25F-0436EG Dwight Bordelon
Public Service Company of Colorado
DWIGHT BORDELON, COMPLAINANT, V. PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO, RESPONDENT.
Filing Date and Party: 10/17/2025 Dwight Bordelon
Description: Formal Complaint
Analyst(s): Ismael Reyna
RECOMMENDATION: Refer the matter to an Administrative Law Judge by minute entry.
4. PROCEEDING NO. 25L-0430G Durango Mountain Utilities, LLC
IN THE MATTER OF THE VERIFIED APPLICATION OF DURANGO MOUNTAIN UTILITIES, LLC FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING CERTAIN GAS COST ADJUSTMENTS TO ITS RATES ON LESS THAN STATUTORY NOTICE AND FOR CERTAIN WAIVERS.
Filing Date and Party: 10/14/2025 Durango Mountain Utilities, LLC
Description: Application for an order authorizing certain gas cost adjustments to its rates on less than statutory notice and for certain waivers
Analyst(s): Christopher Duncan
RECOMMENDATION: Deem the application complete and grant the application.
5. PROCEEDING NO. 25L-0434G Colorado Natural Gas, Inc.
IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION OF COLORADO NATURAL GAS FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING IT TO PUT INTO EFFECT CERTAIN GAS RATE ADJUSTMENTS TO ITS GAS COST RECOVERY RATES ON LESS THAN STATUTORY NOTICE .
Filing Date and Party: 10/15/2025 Colorado Natural Gas, Inc.
Description: Application for an order authorizing it to put into effect certain gas rate adjustments to its gas cost recovery rates on less than statutory notice
Analyst(s): Ronald Lay
RECOMMENDATION: Deem the application complete and grant the application.
* * *
Discussion Items
GENERAL MATTERS
1. PROCEEDING NO. 25M-001AGENDA
a. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROPOSED RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE, 4 CODE OF COLORADO REGULATIONS 723-1, TO IMPLEMENT SENATE BILL 21-272 REGARDING EQUITY PROCESS IMPLEMENTATION. Analyst(s): Mitchell DiCenso RECOMMENDATION: Should the Commission open a proceeding and issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and refer the proceeding to an Administrative Law Judge.
* * *
TRANSPORTATION
1. PROCEEDING NO. 25D-0435CP Alpine and/or GO Alpine and/or Steamboat Express, LLC and/or Roaring Fork Express LLC
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF ALPINE TAXI/LIMO, INC FOR A DECLARATORY ORDER PURSUANT TO COMMISSION RULE 4 CCR 723-1-1304(f).
Filing Date and Party: 10/15/2025 Alpine and/or GO Alpine and/or Steamboat Express, LLC and/or Roaring Fork Express LLC
Description: Petition for a declaratory order stating the Yampa Valley Regional Airport does not have the legal authority to bar the petitioner from serving the airport
Analyst(s): Mitchell DiCenso
RECOMMENDATION: Accept /Not accept the Petition for Declaratory Order.
2. PROCEEDING NO. 25V-0413EC
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF Z3 IMPACT GROUP LLC FOR AN ORDER OF THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZING A WAIVER OF THE RULES REGULATING TRANSPORTATION BY MOTOR VEHICLE, 4 CCR 723-6.
Filing Date and Party: 10/01/2025 Z3 Impact Group LLC
Description: Petition for waiver of Rules 6305(a) (Luxury Limousine)
Analyst(s): Nathan Riley
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the petition.
* * *
ENERGY / WATER
1. PROCEEDING NO. 22A-0230E Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF BLACK HILLS COLORADO ELECTRIC, LLC FOR (1) APPROVAL OF ITS 2022 ELECTRIC RESOURCE PLAN AND CLEAN ENERGY PLAN, AND (2) APPROVAL OF ITS 2023-2026 RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD COMPLIANCE PLAN.
a. Filing Date and Party: 08/29/2025 Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC
Description: Motion for (1) whether to proceed with 100 MW Solar and 200 MW solar clean energy projects in light of developer price changes; and, if so, for (2) adjustment to the Performance Incentive Mechanism construction cost baseline and clarification of operations PIM; (3) variances from rules 3613(i) and 3613(j); and (4) shortened response time
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
b. Filing Date and Party: 09/09/2025 Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC
Description: Supplement to motion for whether to proceed with 100 MW Solar and 200 MW solar clean energy projects in light of developer price changes
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
c. Filing Date and Party: 09/10/2025 Colorado Energy Office
Description: Response Comments
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
d. Filing Date and Party: 09/10/2025 Office of Utility Consumer Advocate
Description: Response to Black Hills Colorado Electric's motion for (1) whether to proceed with 100 MW Solar and 200 MW solar clean energy projects in light of developer price changes; and, if so, for (2) adjustment to the Performance Incentive Mechanism construction cost baseline and clarification of operations PIM; (3) variances from rules 3613(i) and 3613(j); and (4) shortened response time
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
e. Filing Date and Party: 09/10/2025 County of Pueblo
Description: Response to Black Hills Electric, LLC motion concerning developer price changes
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
f. Filing Date and Party: 09/10/2025 Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Description: Response to Black Hills' motion and supplement to the motion
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
g. Filing Date and Party: 09/16/2025 Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC
Description: Update regarding backup bid for 100 MW Solar and 200 MW Solar clean energy projects
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
h. Filing Date and Party: 10/03/2025 Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC
Description: Supplemental information in response to Commission Decision No. C25-0681
Analyst(s): Michael Eden, Alex Acerra
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
2. PROCEEDING NO. 25AL-0343E
IN THE MATTER OF ADVICE LETTER NO. 1986 - ELECTRIC FILED BY PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO TO REVISE ITS COLORADO P.U.C. NO. 8 - ELECTRIC TARIFF TO UPDATE THE NET METERING SERVICE RATES REMOVING THE SHOULDER OR MID-PEAK ENERGY TIME PERIODS FOR RATE SCHEDULES THAT INVOLVE TOU RATES , TO BECOME EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025.
a. Filing Date and Party: 08/15/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Filing to update the Net Metering Service rates removing the Shoulder or Mid-Peak energy time periods for rate schedules that involve TOU rates
Analyst(s): Nick Bongiardina, Eric Haglund
RECOMMENDATION: (1) Allow the item to become effective by operation of law; or (2) suspend the effective date of the item and set it for hearing; or (3) reject the item.
b. Filing Date and Party: 09/17/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Amended Advice Letter No. 1986 changing the effective date to November 1, 2025
Analyst(s): Nick Bongiardina, Eric Haglund
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
3. PROCEEDING NO. 25AL-0405G
IN THE MATTER OF ADVICE LETTER NO. 138 OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATURAL GAS, LLC DOING BUSINESS AS BLACK HILLS ENERGY TO INCREASE THE FUEL, LOST & UNACCOUNTED FOR GAS REIMBURSEMENT QUANTITY PERCENTAGE FROM 0.71% TO 1.66% PERCENT, TO BECOME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2025.
Filing Date and Party: 09/26/2025 Rocky Mountain Natural Gas LLC
Description: Filing to increase the Fuel, Lost and Unaccounted for-Gas (FL&U) Reimbursement Quantity percentage from 0.71% to 1.66%
Analyst(s): Marianne Ramos
RECOMMENDATION: (1) Allow the item to become effective by operation of law; or (2) suspend the effective date of the item and set it for hearing; or (3) reject the item.
4. PROCEEDING NO. 25A-0036E Public Service Company of Colorado
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO FOR APPROVAL OF ITS TARIFF ON-BILL FINANCING PROGRAM .
a. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER)
Description: Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
b. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Clarification requests and exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
c. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 Office of Utility Consumer Advocate
Description: Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
d. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 Energy Outreach Colorado
Description: Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
e. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Description: Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
f. Filing Date and Party: 10/20/2025 Colorado Energy Office
Description: Response to Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
g. Filing Date and Party: 10/20/2025 Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Description: Response to Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
h. Filing Date and Party: 10/20/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Response to Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0682
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis, Wyatt Forman
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
5. PROCEEDING NO. 25A-0354E Public Service Company of Colorado
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO CONCERNING AN APPEAL OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL LAND USE DECISION ISSUED BY ELBERT COUNTY .
a. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 County of Elbert
Description: Notification of preferred site for public comment hearing
Analyst(s): Ruth Harper, Lindsey Dundas
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
b. Filing Date and Party: 10/15/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Notice of party conferral positions on a consensus procedural schedule
Analyst(s): Ruth Harper, Lindsey Dundas
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss whether to approve proposed procedural schedule.
6. PROCEEDING NO. 25A-0355E Public Service Company of Colorado
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO CONCERNING AN APPEAL OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL LAND USE DECISION ISSUED BY EL PASO COUNTY .
a. Filing Date and Party: 10/13/2025 El Paso County
Description: Notification of preferred site for public comment hearing
Analyst(s): Ruth Harper, Lindsey Dundas
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
b. Filing Date and Party: 10/15/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Notice of party conferral positions on a consensus procedural schedule
Analyst(s): Ruth Harper, Lindsey Dundas
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss whether to approve proposed procedural schedule.
7. PROCEEDING NO. 25A-0385W Cascade New Vision LLC
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF CASCADE NEW VISION, LLC FOR APPROVAL OF SIMPLIFIED REGULATORY TREATMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 40-3-104.4, C.R.S. AND A ONE-TIME INCREASE IN RATES FOR WATER, SEWER, AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES.
a. Filing Date and Party: 09/22/2025 Cascade New Vision LLC
Description: Application for simplified regulatory treatment and for a one-time increase in water, sewer and system development charges
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis
RECOMMENDATION: Deem the application complete; and (1) grant/deny the application, or (2) refer the application to an Administrative Law Judge.
b. Filing Date and Party: 10/21/2025 Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Description: Notice of Intervention as of right by Trial Staff of the Commission, entry of appearance, notice pursuant to rule 1007(a) and rule 1401, and request for hearing
Analyst(s): Ronald Davis
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
c. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025 Cascade Village Condominium Association, Inc.
Description: Motion to Intervene and Entry of Appearance of the Cascade Village Condominium Association
RECOMMENDATION: (1) Grant/deny the item, or (2) refer the item to an Administrative Law Judge.
8. PROCEEDING NO. 25M-001AGENDA
a. Filing Date and Party: 10/24/2025
IN THE MATTER OF THE TEMPORARY RULES IMPLEMENTING RULES REGULATING PIPELINE OPERATORS AND GAS PIPELINE SAFETY, 4 CODE OF COLORADO REGULATIONS 723-11. Analysts(s): Wendy Rosati Casey Hensley RECOMMENDATION: Should the Commission issue temporary rules implementing rules regulating Pipeline Operators and Gas Pipeline Safety, 4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-11.
9. PROCEEDING NO. 25M-0026GPS
IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING OF GIS DATA IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 4 CCR 723-11-11103(b)(I) BY GAS PIPELINE OPERATORS IN THE STATE OF COLORADO.
a. Filing Date and Party: 06/20/2025 Colorado Natural Gas, Inc. Atmos Energy Corporation Black Hills Colorado Gas, Inc. Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Joint petition for declaratory order and request for stay of pipeline data disclosure pending decision
Analyst(s): Wendy Rosati, Casey Hensley
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the petition.
b. Filing Date and Party: 07/25/2025 Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
Description: Response to Joint Petition
Analyst(s): Wendy Rosati, Casey Hensley
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss the item.
10. PROCEEDING NO. 24R-0559EG Colorado Public Utilities Commission
IN THE MATTER OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE COMMISSION '92 S RULES REGULATING ELECTRIC UTILITIES, 4 CODE OF COLORADO REGULATIONS 723-3, AND ITS RULES REGULATING GAS UTILITIES, 4 CODE OF COLORADO REGULATIONS 723-4, TO IMPLEMENT CERTAIN PROVISIONS FROM SENATE BILL 23-292 REGARDING BEST VALUE EMPLOYMENT METRICS AND ENERGY SECTOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
Filing Date and Party: 10/08/2025 Public Service Company of Colorado
Description: Exceptions to Recommended Decision No. R25-0669
Analyst(s): Nardos Ghebregziabher, Wendy Rosati
RECOMMENDATION: Grant/Deny the item.
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Original text here: https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI_Agenda_UI.This_Weeks_Agenda
Calif. Gov. Newsom Deploys California Volunteers, California National Guard on Humanitarian Mission Assisting Food Banks as Trump's Government Shutdown Delays SNAP Benefits
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2025:* * *
Governor Newsom deploys California Volunteers, California National Guard on humanitarian mission assisting food banks as Trump's government shutdown delays SNAP benefits
What you need to know: As the ongoing government shutdown disrupts critical food benefits, service members from California Volunteers and the California National Guard today began work assisting food banks with preparing meals for families facing food insecurity.
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LOS ANGELES - At the direction of ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2025: * * * Governor Newsom deploys California Volunteers, California National Guard on humanitarian mission assisting food banks as Trump's government shutdown delays SNAP benefits What you need to know: As the ongoing government shutdown disrupts critical food benefits, service members from California Volunteers and the California National Guard today began work assisting food banks with preparing meals for families facing food insecurity. * LOS ANGELES - At the direction ofGovernor Gavin Newsom, California Volunteers and the California National Guard have been deployed under the leadership of the Department of Social Services to assist with preparing meals for distribution to families in need, with their first food distribution service today at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Governor Newsom announced this statewide effort earlier this week and fast-tracked $80 million to food banks throughout the state to help address cuts to food benefits as a result of President Trump's failure to reopen the federal government.
Today, GO-Serve Director and Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, eight College Corps members, and 32 California National Guard members assisted staff at the LA Regional Food Bank, who requested additional support from the state.
"I'm proud to see the first successful humanitarian deployment of California Volunteers and the California National Guard to food banks to assist and serve communities in need while failures at the federal level permit an ongoing government shutdown. As SNAP delays hit dinner tables right before the holiday season, the state is working hard to keep families from going hungry. The efforts seen today will be ongoing and available to food banks across California that request greater assistance." - Governor Gavin Newsom
"I'm deeply proud of our California National Guard and California Volunteers for their efforts to keep families fed. This is what true service looks like. They are on the frontlines, showing up for our communities, getting essential food to California families who have been left waiting as the Trump administration turns its back, deepening hunger and hardship across the country. Service to one another is our greatest strength, and California is working to ensure this effort continues across food banks statewide." - First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
"Today, the California Military Department is on the ground supporting food bank operations in Los Angeles," said Major General Matthew P. Beevers. "We are grateful to play a crucial role in this effort and honored to serve our communities once again. We are supporting our interagency partners at Cal OES, CDSS, and Cal Volunteers, and proud to be part of this incredible team."
"Today, Governor Newsom deployed the California National Guard and California Service Corps on a humanitarian mission to protect Californian families and kids from going hungry," said GO-SERVE Director and California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. "At a time when DC is shut down, we are stepping up."
California National Guard Service members sorted and packed produce items today at the LA Regional Food Bank. So far, 25,000 pounds of fresh produce and fruit have been sorted and packaged between guard and civilian volunteers to aid the local community in this time of need.
During this deployment, the California's National Guard is on a humanitarian mission under the direct command of Governor Newsom. These men and women are working behind the scenes at food bank warehouses, packing boxes, managing deliveries, and moving supplies to keep food flowing to families in need. In most cases, these service members aren't interacting directly with the public. Their role is purely logistical -- helping food banks handle the surge in demand during the federal shutdown.
Service members regularly provide support to state civilian authorities, including for Governor-directed missions to support wildfire preparedness and response, tackle deadly drug trafficking, and surge medical capacity during the global COVID-19 pandemic. When under the Governor's command, the Guard will not conduct any immigration questions or enforcement.
At Governor Gavin Newsom's direction in 2020, the California National Guard played a crucial humanitarian role supporting food banks across the state. Guard members helped pack, load, and distribute food when volunteers were unable to safely do so -- ultimately helping food banks deliver more than 800 million meals statewide to families in need.
President Trump and Republicans in Congress failed to reopen the federal government by October 23, resulting in 5.5 million recipients of CalFresh experiencing delays to November food benefits. Benefits will continue to be disrupted until the shutdown ends or the federal government takes action to restore fund.
Where Trump is failing Americans, California is stepping up. The efforts announced today will be ongoing and occur at food banks up and down the state where additional assistance is requested.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/24/photos-governor-newsom-deploys-california-volunteers-california-national-guard-on-humanitarian-mission-assisting-food-banks-as-trumps-government-shutdown-delays-snap-benefits/
Calif. Gov. Newsom Celebrates CAL FIRE's First Graduation at New Atwater Training Center
SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:* * *
Governor Newsom celebrates CAL FIRE's first graduation at new Atwater training center
What you need to know: CAL FIRE held its first graduation ceremony of Company Officers at the new Atwater Training Center. The 38 graduates will take on roles as CAL FIRE's frontline leaders in emergency response.
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ATWATER - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the first graduating class of Company Officers at CAL FIRE's new Atwater Training Center, marking a major step forward in the state's continued ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Newsom celebrates CAL FIRE's first graduation at new Atwater training center What you need to know: CAL FIRE held its first graduation ceremony of Company Officers at the new Atwater Training Center. The 38 graduates will take on roles as CAL FIRE's frontline leaders in emergency response. * ATWATER - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the first graduating class of Company Officers at CAL FIRE's new Atwater Training Center, marking a major step forward in the state's continuedinvestment in firefighter training and wildfire preparedness.
Thirty-eight firefighters graduated from the rigorous Company Officer Academy, earning promotion to Company Officer - CAL FIRE's frontline leaders in emergency response and crew development. The event marks the first commencement held at the department's newest training facility, located at the former Castle Air Force Base in Merced County.
With every graduating class, California is expanding its world class firefighting force and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. The new Atwater Training Center represents our state's commitment to ensuring CAL FIRE's firefighters have the tools, training, and leadership to keep Californians safe in an era of evolving fire risk. - Governor Gavin Newsom
With this graduating class, CAL FIRE has trained more than 500 new Company Officers in 2025 and is on track to surpass a record 650 by year's end - further strengthening the department's leadership ranks and sharpening the frontline capacity of the state's firefighting system.
The Atwater Training Center opened in July 2025 to meet increasing training demands driven by the growth of CAL FIRE's permanent and seasonal workforce. The facility joins three other CAL FIRE academies in Ione, Redding, and Riverside, expanding capacity to run concurrent Fire Control Academies and specialized leadership, aviation, and equipment operations programs.
"Training and education are the foundation of effective emergency response," said CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler. "The Atwater campus allows us to provide hands-on instruction and leadership development to a growing number of dedicated professionals who serve communities statewide."
The expansion aligns with Governor Newsom's ongoing investments in wildfire preparedness, forest resilience, and 21st century emergency response capabilities. The administration has increased CAL FIRE's staffing to record levels, added new firefighting aircraft, expanded defensible space programs, and modernized command and communications infrastructure.
As California faces longer and more complex fire seasons, the Atwater Training Center stands as a cornerstone of CAL FIRE's next generation of readiness and leadership development.
Company Officers play a critical role in CAL FIRE's mission. They lead crews during emergencies, assume initial Incident Command, and oversee readiness, training, and fire prevention efforts during non-emergency periods. The academy prepares them for this leadership transition through standardized, statewide instruction.
California invests in wildfire response and prevention capabilities
The firefighters graduating today at the new training facility are yet another clear example of California's investment into protecting communities up and down the state.
Since 2020 the date has doubled the investment into wildfire prevention and resilience efforts. California invested more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience, with an additional 1.5 billion to be allocated from the 2024 Climate Bond.
Earlier this month the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) alongside key partners like CAL FIRE announced the groundbreaking of the state's new Southern California Regional Emergency Operations Center in Costa Mesa, California. The new center will be a resource to help Southern California communities when major wildfires threaten their community.
California invested $173 Million for community based wildfire projects to help California communities protect themselves from wildfires.
Governor Newsom recently announced that California joined the Northwest Wildland Fire Fighting Compact that expands the state's mutual aid partners during major wildfire incidents from partners across the United States and Canada.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/24/governor-newsom-celebrates-cal-fires-first-graduation-at-new-atwater-training-center/
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Demands Answers From Trump Administration on SNAP Funding Due to Lapse at End of Month
PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 25 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2025:* * *
Attorney General Mayes Demands Answers from Trump Administration on SNAP Funding Due to Lapse at End of Month
Attorney General Kris Mayes and 22 other attorneys general today sent a letter to the Secretary of the USDA Brooke Rollins demanding clarity and additional information on how USDA plans to proceed after alerting states that funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may lapse in the near future because of the ongoing federal government shutdown. ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, Oct. 25 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2025: * * * Attorney General Mayes Demands Answers from Trump Administration on SNAP Funding Due to Lapse at End of Month Attorney General Kris Mayes and 22 other attorneys general today sent a letter to the Secretary of the USDA Brooke Rollins demanding clarity and additional information on how USDA plans to proceed after alerting states that funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may lapse in the near future because of the ongoing federal government shutdown.The letter also detailed the grave harm that will be caused to children, seniors, and veterans who rely on food assistance for their daily meals.
"In addition to causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket as open enrollment begins, the GOP-controlled Congress and the Trump administration are now risking the health and safety of tens of millions of Americans, including 900,000 Arizonans who rely on SNAP benefits each month," said Attorney General Mayes. "As Donald Trump demolishes portions of the White House to build his golden ballroom, families all across Arizona are about to go hungry because of the incompetence and failure of leadership in Washington."
On October 10, 2025, USDA issued a letter to all state agencies and state agency directors that administer the SNAP program. The letter indicated that "if the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation." It also "direct[ed] States to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors until further notice," including "on-going SNAP benefits and daily files."
In other words, without citing any legal authority or providing any reasoning, USDA prohibited states like Arizona from sending already calculated November allotments to EBT vendors for processing. USDA does have some authority to reduce SNAP benefits, or even suspend or cancel them under certain circumstances. However, USDA's October 10 letter does not indicate that any of the legal requirements to do so have been met.
In addition, USDA appears to have at least $6 billion (and perhaps more) in SNAP contingency reserve funds that Congress appropriated for emergency situations like this. The attorneys general argue the federal government should use those funds to continue providing SNAP benefits rather than direct states to suspend already-calculated allotments. Furthermore, USDA also has access to Section 32 funds that could also be used to provide SNAP benefits during the ongoing shutdown.
The attorneys general further argue that if carried out, USDA's Oct. 10 directive will harm millions of Americans and could cause significant hardship for the 42 million Americans who depend on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Even a temporary delay, which now appears inevitable, will have devastating effects on the American public and the national economy.
Nearly 40% of SNAP recipients in FY 2023 were children ages 0-17, and adults ages 60 and older made up another 20%. Nearly 30,000 veterans in Arizona have relied on SNAP benefits in recent years.
The letter sent by the attorneys general asks USDA to answer the following critical questions by October 27, 2025:
* Does USDA/FNS have contingency funds left over from prior Congressional appropriations? If so, what is the total of those contingency funds?
* Does USDA/FNS have access to any other sources of available funds to pay benefits and administrative costs associated with issuing those benefits?
* Does USDA/FNS intend to use such funds to furnish SNAP benefits, even at a reduced level? If not, why not? And if so, how does the agency intend to execute that plan, and when would States be expected to send their benefit issuance files?
* Assuming USDA/FNS has contingency funds, on what grounds did the agency direct States to "hold" November files, rather than reducing allotments consistent with available funds?
* Should States treat the October 10 letter as a "suspension" of benefits or a "cancellation" of benefits under 7 C.F.R. Sec. 271.7, or neither?
"Working families, seniors, veterans, and children across Arizona depend on SNAP to survive," said Attorney General Mayes. "Any suspension or delay in benefits due to the federal government's failure to act would be a direct assault on the health and well-being of millions of Americans."
Attorney General Mayes was joined in sending this letter by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, Maine, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Michigan, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Washington.
A copy of the letter is here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=b323635a72&e=9153ff6c96).
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VIA EMAIL
TO: The Honorable Brooke Rollins, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
c/o Ronald Ward, Acting Associate Administrator, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Ronald.Ward@fns.usda.gov
Re: USDA/FNS's Directive to "Hold" November SNAP Benefits
Dear Madam Secretary:
We write in regard to your October 10, 2025 letter to "All State Agencies" and State Agency Directors that administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program. The letter stated that "if the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation." It also "direct[ed] States to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors until further notice," including "on-going SNAP benefits and daily files."
To comply with USDA's directive, States have already taken steps to delay the issuance of November benefits, which will significantly harm millions of people who depend on SNAP to put food on the table, including children, seniors, veterans, disabled persons, and other vulnerable individuals struggling to meet their basic food needs. The number of people affected, and the length of that delay, will grow each day that issuance files do not go out. According to USDA's letter, as of October 10, the agency had just "begun the process of fact finding and information gathering to be prepared in case a contingency plan must be implemented." Two weeks later, it is clear that a contingency plan is urgently needed, but our agencies have yet to receive any update from USDA.
We write, therefore, to request further clarification and information from USDA about (1) how it determined this action was necessary, and (2) its "contingency plan" to ensure benefits are issued to the maximum extent possible during the federal government shutdown.
I. The legal basis for, and implications of, USDA's directive are unclear.
Congress delegated significant authority and responsibility to States to administer SNAP and ensure efficient and timely issuance of benefits to eligible applicants. See, e.g., 7 U.S.C. Sec. 2020(e)(3) (state plan of operation must include provision that the State agency will "promptly determine the eligibility of each applicant household" within 30 days); see also 7 C.F.R. Sec. 276.1(a)(4) ("State agencies shall be responsible for efficiently and effectively administering the Program by complying with the provisions of the Act, the regulations issued pursuant to the Act, and the FNS-approved State Plan of Operation."). Moreover, the SNAP Act provides that "[a]ssistance under [SNAP] shall be furnished to all eligible households who make application for such participation." 7 U.S.C. Sec. 2014(a).
USDA's October 10 letter is in considerable tension with Congress's directives. While styled as a "Benefit and Administrative Expense Update for November 2025," the letter--without citing any legal authority or providing any reasoning--prohibits States from sending alreadycalculated November allotments to their EBT vendors for processing, as States normally would do. And because many States must send the necessary files to their vendors several days before the start of the month, complying with the October 10 letter has already guaranteed that November benefits will be delayed for many SNAP recipients that live in States with deadlines that have already passed. For other States, those deadlines are fast approaching in the next few days.
The October 10 letter also stated that USDA lacks "[]sufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits." However, Congress appropriated $6 billion (and perhaps more) to USDA in contingency reserve funds for SNAP. See P.L. 118-42 (FFY 2024 funding available through FFY 2026); P.L. 119-4 (FFY 2025 funding available through FFY 2027). Moreover, we understand that Section 32 funds are available to USDA, and can be used to fund SNAP benefits during the shutdown. See 7 U.S.C. Sec. 612(c) (making Section 32 funds for child nutrition); 7 U.S.C. Sec. 2257 (Secretary's transfer authority). Indeed, the agency has reportedly already used Section 32 funds to ensure the continuation of benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). If, as it appears, contingency funds and other appropriations remain available, USDA should surely use those funds to continue providing SNAP benefits, rather than effectively suspending all SNAP benefits by summarily ordering States to "hold" alreadycalculated November allotments.
Our understanding is informed by USDA's own statements. Just one month ago--and in anticipation of a possible shutdown--USDA recognized that "Congressional intent is evident that SNAP's operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses," and that "multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs."/1
To be sure, 7 U.S.C. Sec. 2027 and related regulations provide a process for reducing, suspending, or canceling benefits when an existing appropriation falls short of requirements for a particular year. But USDA's October 10 letter does not specify that these requirements have been met. In particular, rather than reducing November allotments consistent with statutory criteria, see 7 U.S.C. Sec. 2027(b)-(d), and requiring States to recalculate their files accordingly, USDA directed...
1 Lapse of Funding Plan at 15, USDA (Sept. 30, 2025).
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...States to simply ignore the already-calculated November files altogether and effectively suspend SNAP benefits indefinitely.
Likewise, although the regulations appear to allow USDA to "suspend[] or cancel[]" allotments, that authority is limited to when suspension or cancellation is "necessary" in order "to comply with section 18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," and such action must still comply with the statutory and regulatory processes. 7 C.F.R. Sec. 271.7(a)-(c). The October 10 letter does not acknowledge those limitations, nor does it clearly explain whether the ordered "hold" of November files is a suspension or cancellation, or, assuming that it is, how USDA determined that suspension or cancellation of benefits, versus a reduction in benefits, is needed under the circumstances.
II. USDA's directive to "hold" November files will harm millions of Americans.
This directive promises significant hardship for the 42 million Americans who currently depend on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Even a temporary delay in the issuance of benefits, which now appears inevitable due to USDA's directive, will have devastating effects on the American public. Those affected by USDA's unexplained "hold" include some of our Nation's most vulnerable populations. For example, in FY 2023, children--from babies to 17 years old--comprised nearly 39% of SNAP recipients, and adults aged 60 and older made up nearly 20%./2
Further, a significant number of veterans live in households that depend on SNAP for their nutrition needs. USDA has estimated that 1.174 million veterans nationwide received SNAP benefits between 2018-2019, including, for example:/3
* 28,498 veterans in Arizona;
* 39,517 in Michigan;
* 84,931 in California;
* 62,061 in Pennsylvania;
* 107,606 in Florida;
* 93,261 in Texas;
* 44,192 in Georgia; and
* 13,976 in New Jersey.
Consistent access to nutrition has been a persistent problem for the veteran population. According to USDA, an estimated 11% "of working-age veterans--between the ages of 18 and 64--lived in ... households" that experienced "limited or uncertain access to adequate food" between 2015 to 2019./4 During that same period, an additional 5% of "working-age veterans lived...
2 SNAP Key Statistics and Research - Distribution of SNAP participants by age, fiscal year 2023 (Chart), USDA Econ. Rsch. Serv., https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplementalnutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research (last visited Oct. 24, 2025).
3 Veterans Receiving SNAP Benefits by State 2018-2019 Average, USDA Food & Nutrition Serv. (2021) https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/SNAP-veteran-benefits-by-state.pdf.
4 Nutrition Assistance Programs: Federal Agencies Should Improve Oversight & Better Collaborate on Efforts to Support Veterans with Food Insecurity, at PDF 1-2, GAO Report to Congressional Requesters (Mar. 2022), https://www.gao.gov/assets/d22104740.pdf.
5 Id.
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...in households [where] the food intake of some household members [was] reduced and normal eating patterns [were] disrupted because of limited resources."/5 Thus, SNAP remains a critical program for veterans and their families.
These figures represent only a small snapshot of the millions of individuals and families who will imminently suffer the consequences of USDA's current directive to States.
III. States and SNAP recipients need additional information and clarity.
In light of these concerns, we ask USDA to provide the following information no later than the end of day Monday, October 27, 2025.
* Does USDA/FNS have contingency funds left over from prior Congressional appropriations? If so, what is the total of those contingency funds?
* Does USDA/FNS have access to any other sources of available funds to pay benefits and administrative costs associated with issuing those benefits?
* Does USDA/FNS intend to use such funds to furnish SNAP benefits, even at a reduced level? If not, why not? And if so, how does the agency intend to execute that plan, and when would States be expected to send their benefit issuance files?
* Assuming USDA/FNS has contingency funds, on what grounds did the agency direct States to "hold" November files, rather than reducing allotments consistent with available funds?
* Should States treat the October 10 letter as a "suspension" of benefits or a "cancellation" of benefits under 7 C.F.R. Sec. 271.7, or neither?
Our States stand ready to work with USDA to mitigate the impact of the shutdown on the public. And, to be clear, although we have significant concerns about the necessity and lawfulness of USDA's directive, our agencies are complying with that directive to delay sending benefit files to our EBT vendors until further notice.
Nonetheless, USDA's actions raise important questions, and our agencies and residents are entitled to answers about USDA's plans for moving forward during the shutdown. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kristin K. Mayes, Arizona Attorney General
Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
Philip J. Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General
Kathleen Jennings, Delaware Attorney General
Brian L. Schwalb, District of Columbia Attorney General
Anne E. Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General
Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General
Aaron M. Frey, Maine Attorney General
Anthony G. Brown, Maryland Attorney General
Andrea Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General
Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General
Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General
Aaron D. Ford, Nevada Attorney General
Matthew J. Platkin, New Jersey Attorney General
Raul Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General
Letitia James, New York Attorney General
Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Attorney General
Dan Rayfield, Oregon Attorney General
Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General
Charity R. Clark, Vermont Attorney General
Nick Brown, Washington Attorney General
Joshua Kaul, Wisconsin Attorney General
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-demands-answers-trump-administration-snap-funding-due-lapse