FERC Adopts Major Interconnection Process Reforms

On July 28, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") issued Order No. 2023, directing interconnection reforms intended to address the current queue backlogs and accelerate queue processing. It requires transmission providers to restructure queues from the current serial study procedures to a more efficient cluster study process with more enforceable study deadlines, while also requiring interconnection customers to make greater commitments to projects earlier in the process. These reforms are an important step toward improving the generator interconnection process, but additional steps are needed to address the cost allocation issues that must also be reformed to improve the process and better facilitate generation development.