Regulator’s Penalty for Grid Delays Splits Clean Energy Builders

US energy regulators are betting that the threat of financial penalties on both clean energy developers and transmission providers will help to tackle a backlog of solar, wind, and battery projects waiting for years to connect to the power grid.

A sprawling final rule published late last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has largely pleased clean energy developers, who pressed for changes to the wonky process as they ramp up investment and project announcements. But the rule has also been met with opposition from transmission providers who are overwhelmed with requests.

One year since the passage of the ...