Midcontinent Independent System Operator Addresses Data Center Interconnection Backlog The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is implementing two initiatives aimed at streamlining grid connections amid rising demand from data centers and other industrial users. These efforts seek to alleviate a significant backlog of generation projects awaiting interconnection approval and to better align new electricity demand

Grid Operator’s Load Growth Strategy Raises Interconnection Concerns October 29, 2026 A regional grid operator’s plan to manage expanding electricity demand is creating obstacles for interconnection project advancement, according to recent filings. The approach, intended to address increasing demand, may delay the integration of new power generation resources. The core of the issue is the

Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas’s Authority on Foreign Grid Access A US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s decision dismissing a challenge from an energy developer concerning the denial of a request to connect a solar project to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid. The ruling, issued October

Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s plan to expedite the remaining legacy interconnection queue study, which includes approximately 71 GW of projects, has received widespread backing from renewable energy developers and state utility regulators. Filings submitted to the agency on Monday demonstrate this support. MISO anticipates that without these revisions, the “Definitive Planning Phase–2022” interconnection study process

MISO’s plan to speed up assessments of generator interconnection requests has garnered support from state regulators and renewable energy developers. The Organization of MISO States, representing state utility regulators, formally endorsed the proposal in filings submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on October 5, 2026. The plan focuses on accelerating the assessment process for

Texas Intensifies Enforcement of Data Centre Water Reporting Regulations The state of Texas is strengthening enforcement measures for data centre water reporting regulations, coinciding with a broader assessment of data centres underway across the state. Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to rigorously enforce existing requirements concerning water usage disclosure

California Energy Storage Projects Enjoy Cost Advantage in Interconnection Utility-scale energy storage developers in California are experiencing lower grid interconnection costs compared to those in other major United States markets. These developers also have the ability to recover network upgrade expenses, a benefit unavailable elsewhere, according to a Rev Renewables executive. The information emerged during

As it reviewed Text 2601, the commission asked staff to clarify how closed-loop cooling and recycled/nonpotable water requirements would be enforced and whether grid interconnection upgrade costs or tariffs could be shifted to local customers for centers below state thresholds.

IREN's Sweetwater Hub Receives Conditional Base Load Status in ERCOT Interconnection Process IREN Limited has secured conditional Base Load classification for its 2GW Sweetwater Hub within ERCOT’s Batch Zero interconnection screening process. This designation advances the company’s substantial Texas data center complex closer to grid interconnection, a crucial step given the current backlog of requests

Stocks Rise Amid Market Declines The S&P 500 closed at 7,597.10, down 0.61%, while the Dow Jones decreased to 52,064.80, a drop of 0.72%. The Nasdaq 100 registered at 29,161.20, falling 0.93%, and the Russell 2000 closed at 2,897.63, declining by 0.88%. IREN Limited shares surged 7% and Applied Digital climbed 6% amid broader market

Shares of Oklo fell sharply today as PJM Interconnection removed a Meta-backed project from its grid queue, compounding challenges already facing reactor developers amid rising Treasury yields. Oklo's stock price dropped 5%, reaching $38.46 in early afternoon trading; the company’s shares have declined approximately 43% year-to-date. NuScale Power experienced a smaller decrease of 0.8%, settling

Oklo Inc., traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OKLO, has filed a formal petition with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) following PJM’s decision to remove one of its advanced nuclear initiatives from interconnection study consideration. The dispute concerns Oklo's proposed 750 MW mixed-technology generation project, designated C01-1735, which combines advanced

Board members pressed developers and Ameren‑related counsel on who pays for grid upgrades and whether on‑site renewable generation is feasible; developers said large‑load tariffs and construction agreements require the customer to fund needed extensions, and city staff and the board discussed collateral options.

Texas Initiates Audit of Data Center Projects Following Governor’s Order The state of Texas will conduct audits of up to 300 projects, primarily data centers, following a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott issued August 3rd. Commissioners of the Public Utility Commission of Texas have informed officials at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) that

Construction continues on a data center project in East Texas despite Governor Greg Abbott’s recent directive for an audit of facilities seeking to connect to the state's power grid. Governor Abbott, earlier this month, instructed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT to review all data centers currently attempting interconnection with ERCOT before allowing

Natural gas projects have become dominant in PJM Interconnection’s revised grid connection process, now representing nearly half of the over 200 gigawatts of capacity seeking interconnection studies. This shift contrasts sharply with three years ago when the grid operator paused new submissions due to a substantial backlog primarily consisting of solar, wind, and battery storage

PJM Interconnection is expediting the review process for over 700 new energy projects as part of an updated grid interconnection system launched this week. This initial cycle utilizes a “first-ready, first-served” approach intended to improve predictability and accelerate the connection of large-scale infrastructure, particularly important for data centers needing access to the electric grid. The

A $6 Billion Power Cable Experiences Startup Issues On July 3, a heat wave drove up electricity demand throughout New York State. That day, the state imported 52 gigawatt-hours of power from Canada, enough to cover roughly 9% of the total energy load. A significant portion of this energy flowed through the Champlain Hudson Power

Governor Abbott Directs Increased Oversight of Data Center Expansion Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued directives aimed at ensuring the rapid growth of data centers in Texas does not negatively impact residents or local communities. The state’s economic success and business-friendly environment have led to a significant surge in data center development, creating jobs and

Governor Hochul Implements Moratorium on Data Center Development New York Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a moratorium on certain data center permitting actions, making New York the first state nationwide to take such action. Executive Order No. 62, issued July 14, 2026, halts specific permitting processes while state agencies develop new standards for data center

Industrial Energy Consumers of America Intensifies Natural Gas Infrastructure Advocacy The Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) recently filed its second-quarter lobbying report on July 11, coinciding with ongoing efforts to promote expanded natural gas infrastructure and streamlined electricity grid interconnection procedures. IECA's lobbying activities focus primarily on ensuring an adequate supply of natural gas

Grid operators are showing some progress regarding power grid connections, but delays continue to hinder solar and energy storage projects, according to a recent study commissioned by Advanced Energy United. The report, prepared by Grid Strategies and The Brattle Group, examined the efforts of seven regional transmission system operators: Southwest Power Pool (SPP), Midcontinent Independent

Grid operators are reporting incremental progress regarding power grid connections, but solar and energy storage projects continue to encounter significant delays, a recently commissioned study reveals. The report, prepared by Grid Strategies and The Brattle Group for Advanced Energy United, examined interconnection advancements made by seven regional transmission system operators: Southwest Power Pool (SPP), Midcontinent