The Challenges and Opportunities of Interconnection and Transmission of Renewable Energy
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On April 24, 2025, FERC denied NGO Transmission, Inc.’s (“NGO Transmission”) application under 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) to abandon its jurisdictional facilities and reclassify them from jurisdictional transmission...more
In its 2024–2025 Draft Transmission Plan (Draft Plan) released on March 31, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) proposed the development of 31 new transmission projects with an estimated cost of $4.8 billion....more
On February 10, 2025, Pluvia LLC (“Pluvia”) filed a petition for a declaratory order, asking FERC to clarify its jurisdiction to issue a preliminary permit for the construction, operation, and maintenance of transmission...more
On February 28, 2025, FERC granted a request by Holtec Palisades, LLC (“Holtec”) for waiver of certain provisions of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (“MISO”) Open Access Transmission, Energy and Operating...more
Building on the record of two dockets, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) initiated a new proceeding to evaluate certain issues with respect to the co-location of large loads, namely to serve data centers, in the...more
On February 20, 2025, FERC found that the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (“PJM”) Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”) appears to be unjust and unreasonable because it does not address with clarity or consistency the rates,...more
Introduction: The Challenge - Forecasts of growth in electricity consumption (“load”) across the United States are increasing remarkably. In just over the last few years, those forecasts have doubled and tripled. Much of...more
The explosion of AI technology over the past year has brought increasing awareness of the potential impact of this technology on the U.S. power grid. Electric demand attributable to data centers is expected to more than...more
The International Transmission Line (“ITC”) and its subsidiary, the Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (“METC”), are currently seeking easements to install new transmission lines as part of their Long-Range...more
Summaries of the agenda items for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's monthly open meeting to be held on January 16, 2025, pursuant to the sunshine notice released on January 8, 2025. ...more
On December 5, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approved Public Service Electric and Gas Company’s settlement agreement (“PSE&G”) to pay a $6.6 million civil penalty to resolve an ongoing investigation...more
On November 21, 2024, FERC issued Order No. 1920-A, which modified Order No. 1920 to expand the states’ roles in long-term transmission planning and clarified requirements for such planning as set forth in Order No. 1920....more
On October 17, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) took final action on Order No. 1977, which requires applicants seeking rights of way for electric transmission lines on Tribal lands to include Tribal...more
On June 27, 2024, FERC issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (“ANOPR”) regarding potential reforms to require transmission providers to use dynamic line ratings (“DLRs”) to encourage more accurate and transparent...more
Governor Tim Walz recently signed the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act and amendments to the certificate of need requirements (Permitting Act). The Permitting Act includes significant reforms to streamline...more
On May 13, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) released its Order No. 1920 (Final Rule) to reform its policies regarding Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation.1 The Final Rule follows...more
At FERC’s March 2024 Open Meeting, the Commissioners announced a new cooperative effort between FERC and the states: the Federal and State Current Issues Collaborative (“Current Issues Collaborative”)....more
On February 12, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published a final rule creating new permitting pathways and revising existing regulations for the take of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden...more
On August 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed to substantially revise regulations aimed at accelerating the Federal environmental review and permitting processes associated with the development of onshore...more
Our office routinely handles utility takings, which often involve partial takings of easements for transmission lines or pipelines. As governments attempt to improve the electrical grid to support the transportation of wind...more
The California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) has uploaded a proposed Order Instituting Rulemaking(OIR) that would revamp the permitting process for siting of electric transmission infrastructure within the state of...more
On December 15, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in which the Commission proposes to implement its newly clarified authority under the 2021 Infrastructure...more
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 205 into law on June 30, 2022. This legislative effort significantly expands the California Energy Commission (CEC)’s jurisdiction and encourages the development of new clean energy projects....more
Linear infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines, electric transmission lines and transportation, have faced a number of regulatory challenges over the last year. Some of these challenges stem from changes in...more