FERC is Protecting Customers in Large-Load Interconnection, while Public Power Seeks Reform from Treasury on Private Use

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is acting to support large loads and protect customers, while public power seeks the same from Treasury on private use regulations.

This month, FERC issued tailored show cause orders to all six RTO/ISOs (PJM, SPP, MISO, CAISO, NYISO, and ISO-NE, and their transmission owners, a clear signal it intends to codify ratepayer protections into large-load interconnection planning, consistent with the Administration and DOE's stated priorities and with a large number of state commissions that have done the same.

The contract protections FERC is embracing are ones public power cannot fully use. Under Treasury's private business use rules, public power utilities cannot sign large-load contracts beyond three years, a limit set by regulation, not statute. Long-term commitments are a core customer protection in nearly all large-load tariffs, because they put the risk on the new customer, not existing ratepayers. Our members' large-load interconnection queue already totals up to 50 GW.

LPPC continues to work with Treasury to update its private business use rules so public power can build what this moment demands, while protecting the 30.5+ million customers our members serve.

Learn more at lppc.org/private-use