FERC Approves Expedited Energy Plan for Two Grid Operators, Favoring Methane Gas Power Plants

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to approve an expedited generator interconnection plan for two major U.S. grid operators today. The grid operators, Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), each submitted plans to FERC to accelerate mostly gas plants at the expense, both time and money, of mostly renewable energy projects.

Environmental advocates challenged MISO’s first plan, which FERC rejected, and again challenged the approved plan because it remains discriminatory toward renewable energy resources. Environmental advocates also challenged SPP’s discriminatory plan before FERC.

The Expedited Resource Adequacy Study (ERAS) approvals for SPP and MISO come as data centers are increasing overall demand for electricity, raising concerns about the cost impact these new facilities will have on existing ratepayers. Several states in both regions, including Kansas, Missouri, and Indiana, have recently passed laws enabling monopoly utilities to increase monthly bills to finance new gas-burning power plants years before they provide a service.

View FERC approval for SPP and FERC approval for MISO. Clean Wisconsin and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) worked with Earthjustice and the Sierra Club to oppose MISO’s ERAS proposal.

Statement from Christine Powell, Deputy Managing Attorney with Earthjustice:

“FERC is letting MISO and SPP again write the rules to favor costly and polluting methane gas projects, letting them jump the queue of clean energy projects that have been waiting years to connect to the grid. FERC needs to let clean energy compete fairly, not rig the results to fast-track gas power plants at consumers’ expense.”

Statement from Greg Wannier, Senior Attorney with Sierra Club:

“FERC’s decisions make it possible for gas plants to cut in line at the expense of thousands of clean energy projects that have been waiting for years to interconnect, projects that are well qualified to meet MISO’s and SPP’s energy needs. As we consider our next steps, it’s absolutely critical that MISO, SPP, tech companies, and utilities set up fully transparent processes to identify and address alleged energy needs — including from new large loads — without imposing undue costs on existing customers.”