2026 Electric Coordination Agreement with DOE
Los Alamos County
Summary
The new 10+10-year, $424 million contract governing how the county and the lab share and pay for electric power hit a snag: a termination clause capping DOE's liability at $6 million. The Board asked for a one-month extension to fix it before recommending approval.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 25, 2026.
Impact analysis
The contract is worth $424 million over ten years and governs the cost sharing that shapes county electric rates.
Both the county's 8,000+ electric customers and the lab benefit from shared, lower-cost power operations.
County ratepayers could bear substantial cost risk if termination or renewal terms remain weak.
Mentions & discussions (4)
County Council - Regular Session — August 25, 2026
With the old 41-year power agreement expiring August 31, the council unanimously approved a new 10-year deal with DOE/NNSA. Board of Public Utilities Chair Robert Gibson called the process 'infuriating' and flagged financial risk, but agreed the county is better off with the agreement than without it.
Board of Public Utilities — August 19, 2026
This ten-year (plus ten-year option) contract governs how the county and the Lab share and pay for electric power — and it replaces an agreement expiring August 31. New termination-for-convenience language, including protections tied to the county's Foxtail Flats investment (~$480 million over 20 years), arrived the afternoon of the meeting, forcing a Friday do-over before a 4-1 approval.
Board of Public Utilities Work Session — August 5, 2026
With one week left on a one-month extension, attorneys are still negotiating the termination-for-convenience clause that could cap DOE's payout at $6 million versus a $424 million contract. A revised agreement is due August 19, with council action August 25 and power pool transition September 1.
Board of Public Utilities — July 22, 2026
The new 10+10-year, $424 million contract governing how the county and the lab share and pay for electric power hit a snag: a termination clause capping DOE's liability at $6 million. The Board asked for a one-month extension to fix it before recommending approval.
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