FERC Approves Southwest Power Pool’s Fast Track Grid Connection Plan For Large Electricity Loads

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approved the Southwest Power Pool (“SPP”) plan for large electricity loads connecting to the grid.  SPP is the regional transmission organization that serves participating electric grids in all or parts of Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.

The FERC-approved amendments to SPP’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (“Tariff Amendments”) will fast track the review process for proposed large load connection processes that pair up with generation facilities.  Find the approval and Tariff plan here.

The Tariff Amendments govern High Impact Large Loads (“HILL”).  HILLs are facilities that require 50 megawatts or more (e.g., data centers).  The Tariff Amendments do not classify an Electric Storage Resource as a HILL.  Any facility categorized as a HILL must comply with enhanced study requirements and ongoing reliability studies with the transmission system. 

To fast track the study process, a proposed HILL must complete a High Impact Large Load Generation Assessment (“HILLGA”).  The HILL must either plan to construct its own generation facility or pair with a current generation facility.  This assessment process allows the HILL to begin a 90-day system impact study of both the load and generation facility. 

In the past, uncertainty about the grid’s ability to support HILLs led to long study processes, cancelled facilities and slow overall progress in the power grid.  The Tariff Amendments intend to give HILLs the turnaround time they need via the HILLGA process. 

Attorneys at Baird Holm specialize in various subject matter areas including administrative, energy and land use law.  Please contact us with any questions.

Hannes D. Zetzsche
Samuel P. Heffron, Summer Associate