Electric Transmission

Recent Highlights:

July 27, 2023 

• Order 2023: Improvements to Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements | News Release | Item E-1 | Presentation | Fact Sheet

June 15, 2023

• Item E-3: FERC Finalizes Credit Risk Management Rule | News Release | Order

The Commission has established rules to bolster investment in the nation's transmission infrastructure, and to promote electric power reliability and lower costs for consumers, by reducing transmission congestion. The rule identifies specific incentives the Commission would allow based on a case-by-case analysis of individual transmission proposals.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directed the Commission to develop incentive-based rate treatments for transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce, adding a new section 219 to the Federal Power Act. The rule implemented this new statutory directive through the following incentive-based rate treatments:

• Incentive rates of return on equity for new investment by public utilities (both traditional utilities and stand-alone transmission companies, or transcos).
• Full recovery of prudently incurred construction work in progress.
• Full recovery of prudently incurred pre-operations costs.
• Full recovery of prudently incurred costs of abandoned facilities.
• Use of hypothetical capital structures.
• Accumulated deferred income taxes for transcos.
• Adjustments to book value for transco sales/purchases.
• Accelerated depreciation.
• Deferred cost recovery for utilities with retail rate freezes.
• A higher rate of return on equity for utilities that join and/or continue to be members of transmission organizations, such as (but not limited to) regional transmission organizations and independent system operators.

All rates approved under the rules are subject to Federal Power Act rate filing standards. The rule allows utilities on a case-by-case basis to select and justify the package of incentives needed to support new investment. Additionally, the rule provides expedited procedures for the approval of incentives to provide utilities greater regulatory certainty and facilitate the financing of projects. The rule became effective on September 29, 2006.

Generator Interconnection

The Commission is facilitating a working group with various interests in the electric industry in an attempt to develop standardized interconnection agreements and procedures that would provide interconnection service.

Learn more about generator interconnection

Order No. 1000 - Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation

Order No. 1000 is a Final Rule that reforms the Commission’s electric transmission planning and cost allocation requirements for public utility transmission providers. The rule builds on the reforms of Order No. 890 and corrects remaining deficiencies with respect to transmission planning processes and cost allocation methods.

Learn more about Order No. 1000 - Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation