Jessica Rollinson’s Post

📢 Big News from FERC. On May 13, 2024, the FERC laid "a new foundation" for the future of electric transmission facilities. They introduced final rules on: ⚡Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation (Order No. 1920) ⚡Backstop Authority for Siting Projects in National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) (Order No. 1977) These Final Rules mark the most significant shift in federal transmission policy since FERC Order No. 888. This is a step forward for our energy infrastructure, ensuring a more efficient, reliable, and forward-thinking approach to planning, funding, and constructing transmission projects. ⚡🚀 #EnergyPolicy #FERC https://lnkd.in/gqtV2FXJ

The rule — proposed in April 2022 — requires transmission providers to consider forward-looking factors when developing their plans, such as utility resource plans, state energy goals, corporate energy procurement commitments and interconnection queues. The transmission plans must look ahead at least 20 years. #transmission #ISO #RTO #FERC #DLR #gets #gridplanning

#ICYMI: On May 13, 2024, FERC approved a groundbreaking final rule—Order No. 1920. This rule requires public utilities to undertake new long-term regional transmission planning over a 20-year horizon and allocate the cost of selected transmission projects in a manner that corresponds to the benefits they provide. Our Linda Walsh, Sylvia Bartell, Mike Blackwell, and Corban Coffman present an overview of the rule and next steps in the FERC proceeding. #EnergyRegulation #Utilities

One of the DOE's four new $1.5B #transmission capacity contracts under the Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP) went to Southern Spirit, a Pattern Energy project that has proposed to interconnect #ERCOT with Southeastern grids—a first for fiercely independent ERCOT. The project already has FERC approval. Here's more about the four projects as well as the multi-year National Transmission Planning Study the DOE unveiled yesterday. https://lnkd.in/gKkjdGCf

Ampersand's Marcus McKay KC and Nicholas McAndrew successfully represented SSEN Transmission in obtaining consent for a new 275kV overhead electricity line in Argyll and Kintyre. The Scottish Government has granted approval for the 13.3km Creag Dhubh-Dalmally line, following a public local inquiry. The project, which will span approximately eight miles, faced initial objections from the Argyll and Bute Council committee in 2022. This led to a public local inquiry, which has now concluded with a favourable decision for SSEN Transmission. The approved plans include the construction of a line running from the proposed Creag Dhubh substation to the tie-in point with the existing Scottish Power Energy Networks overhead line at Glen Lochy. This infrastructure is part of SSEN Transmission’s efforts to enhance the region’s energy system. This approval marks a significant step in the development of critical national infrastructure, which SSEN Transmission argues is essential for delivering a cleaner, more secure, and affordable energy system for current and future generations. The case highlights the complexities involved in balancing local interests with national infrastructure needs, and the important role of legal representation in navigating the planning and approval process for large-scale energy projects.

The FERC affirmed its historic July 2023 rule that modernizes the nation’s transmission grid by streamlining the generator interconnection process. #FERC #TransmissionGrid #Interconnection

Our #CRAEnergy practice recognizes the transformative impact of #FERC Orders 1920 and 1977 on transmission planning. This order mandates a comprehensive review of seven benefits over a 20-year horizon when evaluating transmission projects, using multiple scenarios and the best available data, adding complexity and depth to the process. Despite the challenges, the Orders’ requirements present opportunities for optimizing transmission infrastructure and cost allocation. Additionally, as FERC has declined to reinstate the federal ROFR, state laws will continue to shape the landscape for transmission providers. The requirement for ISOs to evaluate local transmission projects for potential “right-sizing” could provide further opportunity for incumbent utilities. Our team of Energy consultants are prepared to navigate these regulatory changes, ensuring efficient and effective transmission planning. To read the full report, click here: https://lnkd.in/eDyZ-i6U #CRAEnergyTransition #EnergyTransition #Transmission #FERCorders

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued transformative rules that will reshape the landscape of regional transmission planning, cost allocation, and siting. Discover how these changes could impact the future of energy transmission in this Perkins Coie LLP Update. #EnergyTransmission #EnergyLaw #EnergyRegulation #FERC

Request for Information - The California Energy Commission (CEC) is seeking information to support potential medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission drayage infrastructure corridor projects under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program). The CEC plans to be the lead applicant for a fiscal year (FY) 2024 medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) drayage infrastructure CFI corridor proposal. In this Request for Information, the CEC is seeking input regarding where sites would be most used and useful in the near-term (2024-2027), site characteristics, power level and types of charging, and other factors that will better inform the state’s application to deploy publicly accessible electric truck charging and hydrogen truck refueling infrastructure for zero-emission MDHD drayage vehicles.   Written comments are due by June 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.  

FERC’s long-awaited order requires the country’s regional grid operators, which manage transmission networks delivering power to roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population, to create processes to plan and build transmission lines that can support rapidly growing electricity demand at least 20 years into the future. The country’s regional grid operators have roughly 12 months to craft plans to comply, which will be subject to FERC approval or rejection. https://lnkd.in/d3X_JiEr