Core Sector: Electricity/Energy

Transmission Infrastructure

Development of new transmission is essential to prepare for the deployment of large amounts of new energy resources to meet emerging large loads on the grid. State and federal utility regulators are tasked with addressing issues of how to plan and pay for new transmission development and navigating related jurisdictional issues. For this reason, NARUC offers opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between state utility commissions, subject matter experts, impacted stakeholders, and federal regulators to identify barriers to and opportunities for transmission expansion.

NARUC facilitates the Transmission State Working Group to support commissioners and commission staff in exploring state commission roles and influence on transmission development and evaluation. The working group is open to all NARUC members. For more information, or to join the working group, contact Deborah Reynolds.

In June 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) established the Joint Federal State Task Force on Electric Transmission with NARUC to facilitate cooperation and the exchange of perspectives with states on transmission-related issues. The first meeting was held in November 2021; the last meeting was held in February 2024. Members of the Task Force consisted of all five FERC commissioners and ten state commissioners, with two state task force members representing each NARUC region.

NARUC Transmission Resources

  • FERC Order 1920 Webinar for States: Taking Action on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation, December 6, 2024
    A webinar for state energy offices and public utility commissions to learn more about how and when states can engage in transmission planning and cost allocation required by FERC Order 1920 and FERC Order 1920-A hosted by the Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the National Association of State Energy Officials. Presentation and recording available here.
  • Collaborative Enhancements to Unlock Interregional Transmission, June 2024
    The objective of this report is to confront the barriers to interregional transmission that exist today and address them with potential reforms and collaborative solutions. This report identifies solutions with the potential for immediate beneficial impact on interregional transmission with the ultimate goal of allowing more effective identification and advancement of interregional transmission projects that create the most positive net value to the participating systems. It distinguishes between states, federal government, and system operators as key actors in implementing solutions designed to be flexible to accommodate regional differences.
    • On June 27, 2024, an informational webinar to provide an overview of the report was hosted by NARUC and E3. View the webinar presentation and recording.
  • Webinar: Storage as a Transmission Asset, NARUC, May 1, 2023 (see recording and presentation)
  • Webinar: Approaches to Maximizing Existing Transmission Capacity, NCEP, August 3, 2021 (see recording and presentation)

Transmission Resource Library

  • NARUC has developed a list of resources divided into key topic areas to enable further learning on energy transmission challenges, potential solutions, and technologies. The links included are provided to share relevant resources but are not endorsed by NARUC or its members. Explore the Transmission Resource Library. 

State Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation Workshop

February 23, 2025: Join this interactive workshop for in-depth training and facilitated discussion to help states navigate FERC Orders 1920 and 1920A’s requirements for cost allocation and regional planning of electric transmission. Participants will leave with a better understanding of lessons and approaches they can leverage from states in other regions; concrete topical areas to prioritize for their involvement in regional processes; and an understanding of support available to assist. More information.

Transmission State Working Group Meetings

  • Changes under FERC Order 1920A and Scenario Planning under Orders 1920 and 1920A: On December 11, 2024, the working group members listened to a presentation and recording outlining the solutions to improve interregional transmission planning and permitting.
  • Regulators’ Role in FERC Order 1920 Cost Allocation: On November 6, 2024, the working group members listened to a presentation and recording explaining cost allocation engagement opportunities under FERC Order 1920 transmission planning.
  • Transmission Planning under FERC Order 1920: On September 25, 2024, the working group members listened to a presentation on how states could best engage in transmission planning under FERC Order 1920, including an update on planning status by region.
  • Interregional Transmission: During the June 12, 2024 meeting, working group members listened to a presentation outlining the solutions to improve interregional transmission planning and permitting.
  • Interconnection: During the April 10, 2024 meeting, working group members listened to a presentation outlining the challenges to current interconnection queue processes and potential solutions to address these challenges as well as an overview of recent implementation plans from RTOs and utilities under FERC Order 2023. The group then engaged in a discussion on interconnection queue processes within their state and concerns around the implementation of FERC Order 2023.

Joint Federal State Task Force on Electric Transmission Meetings

Funder:

NARUC is grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office for funding to support state utility regulators in these efforts.

Transmission State Working Group Participants:

  • California Public Utilities Commission
  • Colorado Public Utilities Commission
  • District of Columbia Public Service Commission
  • Georgia Public Service Commission
  • Illinois Commerce Commission
  • Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
  • Iowa Utilities Commission
  • Kansas Corporation Commission
  • Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
  • Missouri Public Service Commission
  • New York Public Service Commission
  • North Carolina Utilities Commission
  • Ohio Public Utilities Commission
  • Oklahoma Corporation Commission
  • Oregon Public Utilities Commission
  • Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
  • Vermont Public Utility Commission
  • Wisconsin Public Service Commission