WASHINGTON, D.C., April 21, 2022 – Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) reacted to the announcement by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that it will be reforming regional transmission planning and cost allocation requirements.

Jeff Dennis, Managing Director and General Counsel at AEE, released the following statement on the benefits of the FERC announcement:

“Today’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is an important next step in building the resilient transmission grid the nation needs to meet its economic and clean energy goals and reap the benefits of the rapid expansion of advanced energy technologies. The Commission’s proposals rightly put focus on the need for comprehensive long-term transmission planning that meets the transmission needs of customers and transparently considers the benefits transmission investments can provide to customers over multiple decades.

We are also pleased to see FERC put emphasis on giving states a central role in shaping regional transmission and determining how it is paid for by consumers, which appropriately recognizes the critical role states play in ensuring that transmission is actually constructed.

Finally, we are glad that FERC proposes to specifically require transmission providers to consider how advanced transmission technologies like dynamic line ratings and grid enhancing technologies can meet transmission needs more quickly and at a lower cost. We are looking forward to seeing the details and providing a perspective on how FERC’s final rule can establish more effective transmission planning processes that reflect the needs and realities of the emerging advanced energy economy.”