Electricity Today T&D Magazine

A coalition of large energy consumers and ratepayer advocates has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging the agency to prohibit transmission owners from independently planning "local" transmission projects exceeding 100 kilovolts (kV). The coalition argues that such local planning, lacking independent oversight, leads to inefficient and costly transmission development, resulting in unjust and unreasonable rates for consumers.

Background

Transmission planning involves determining the necessary infrastructure to transport electricity from generation sources to consumers. In the United States, this planning is typically conducted by transmission owners, which are often investor-owned utilities. These entities are responsible for...