Grid Project Delays Beyond Utilities’ Control, DC Circuit Told

Federal energy regulators’ decision to fine utilities for missing interconnection study deadlines creates a “punitive system” that blames providers for delays they can’t control, dozens of state utilities told the D.C. Circuit.

At issue is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s 2023 order that subjected transmission providers to financial penalties if they missed certain deadlines for studying interconnection projects, whereas before the utilities were held to a looser “reasonable effort” standard for completing studies.

The rule, which also imposes fines on developers who pull out of the interconnection process, was billed as a way to hook more than 2,000 gigawatts of ...