POWER Up Act Jurisdiction

Summary#

This bill adds a new subsection to the Federal Power Act to say the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authority over the interconnection of large load facilities to transmission facilities used for interstate electricity transmission. A "large load facility" is any facility, or group of facilities under common ownership or control at a single or contiguous site, with a projected aggregate peak demand of 100 megawatts or greater. The Commission may change that 100 megawatt threshold by rule to protect reliability and fair transmission service. Interconnections of large loads will be subject to sections 201, 205, and 206 and treated as part of open access transmission service. Within 18 months of enactment, FERC must issue a final rule with standardized procedures and agreements for interconnecting large loads (including hybrid sites that combine large load and generation) and a test for transmission facilities to help with interconnection. The bill says it does not affect state or local authority over siting, permits, retail service and rates, local distribution facilities, or generation.

What it means for you#

• If you own or plan a large electricity user or a group of connected sites with 100 MW or more peak demand, your direct interconnection to transmission lines will be under FERC jurisdiction.
• FERC will create standard interconnection procedures and agreements in a rulemaking to be completed within 18 months.
• State and local control over siting, permitting, retail rates, local distribution, and generation remains unchanged.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on projected costs or budget effects. The bill requires FERC to complete a rulemaking within 18 months, but the text does not include cost estimates or budget detail.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.