FERC Blocks MISO Fast-Track Plan, Signaling Interconnection Gridlock Ahead

A controversial proposal aimed at accelerating power grid access for new energy projects has been struck down by regulators, raising alarm over mounting delays in U.S. generation interconnection.

In a decisive move with far-reaching implications for energy developers and grid planners, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) proposal to expedite the addition of new power resources to the grid. The proposal—known as the Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS)—was intended to streamline the queue process by enabling faster interconnection of new generation projects. However, FERC Commissioners David Rosner and Lindsay See concluded that the plan lacked critical constraints, particularly in capping the number of eligible projects, making it untenable under current regulatory and operational standards.

This decision underscores intensifying scrutiny around regional transmission organizations (RTOs) as they grapple with surging clean energy proposals and mounting grid congestion. By refusing to green light a system that could allow potentially hundreds of projects to bypass existing bottlenecks without clear prioritization, FERC signaled a firm stance on grid reliability and fair access. For developers, this represents a substantial setback, particularly for those banking on expedited pathways to connect solar, wind, and battery storage assets. The fallout could result in months, if not years, of added delays in an already clogged interconnection pipeline—particularly troubling as the U.S. pushes toward aggressive decarbonization goals.

For executives in industrial automation, energy investment, and utility management, the ruling is a strategic red flag. As automation increasingly underpins energy infrastructure, the slow pace of interconnection approvals may hinder capital allocation, delay project commissioning, and complicate supply chain planning. With no immediate alternative to streamline the process, companies operating in generation or grid-support tech must prepare for prolonged uncertainty. In the interim, stakeholders may need to reevaluate market entry strategies and diversify across more responsive grid operators.