17 Oct
Thursday, October 17 (Washington, D.C.) — Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decided on rehearing requests related to Order No. 1977 (FERC backstop siting) and ruled on Public Service Company of Colorado, et al. and Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity, et al.
- Order No. 1977: FERC made minor changes to its rules for applying for permits to build electric transmission facilities under section 216 of the Federal Power Act, which gives FERC the power to approve certain projects. The changes include new requirements for consulting with Tribes when transmission lines cross Tribal land.
- Public Service Company of Colorado, et al.: FERC has started a show cause process to review if the current rates and terms for public utility transmission providers in WestConnect are still fair, following a court decision and the Commission’s findings in this case.
- Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity, et al.: FERC has reversed its earlier decisions that included the Risk Premium model in its method for determining return on equity. It has now set a base method for calculating return on equity for transmission owners in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO).
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) Executive Director Christina Hayes released the following statement:
“Americans for a Clean Energy Grid thanks the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its ongoing work in transmission development through approving the rehearing order on backstop siting and resolving longstanding concerns related to utility earnings on transmission investment. Further, the commission’s decision in Public Service Company of Colorado, et al. supports greater participation in transmission planning and requires beneficiaries of transmission planning to pay their fair share, which continues to further FERC’s goal of robust transmission to most cost-effectively and reliably serve customers. We encourage FERC to continue to support critically-needed transmission planning and development to ensure that our grid is robust enough to handle the demands of the future.”
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About Americans for a Clean Energy Grid:
Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) is a non-profit, broad-based public interest advocacy coalition focused on the need to expand, integrate, and modernize the North American high-capacity grid. ACEG brings together a diverse coalition — including business, labor, consumer, environmental groups, and other transmission supporters — to advocate for policies that recognize the benefits of a robust transmission grid.
Media Contact:
Chloe Slayter, Communications Manager
chloe.slayter@cleanenergygrid.org | 805-556-5344
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