States and developers back MISO's plan to clear its 71 GW 2022 interconnection queue faster
Victoria Shinder1 min readThe Midcontinent Independent System Operator's proposal to speed up the study of its remaining legacy interconnection queue drew wide support from renewable developers and state regulators in filings at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on 5 October, Utility Dive reports.
The queue. The "Definitive Planning Phase–2022" (DPP-2022) cycle holds about 71 GW of projects. Without changes, MISO says, the study will likely be delayed by at least 18 months, pushing back later cycles as well.
The problem MISO describes. Its three-part Definitive Planning Phase allows what the grid operator called "endless" restudies in the final phase. Under current rules, nonviable projects have an incentive to stay in the queue to avoid withdrawal penalties; when they withdraw late, the restudy delays everyone else.
The proposal. Filed at FERC on 21 September, it would let projects in the 2022 cycle exit the queue penalty-free before Decision Point II, which falls on 20 October. MISO asked FERC to approve it by 19 October.
Who supports it. The Organization of MISO States, representing state utility regulators, said the approach "can materially accelerate the processing of legacy queue cycles while preserving MISO's responsibility to identify and address reliability concerns". Advanced Energy United said bold action was needed if the region is to reach its target of a one-year interconnection cycle.