Deadline approaching: Grid operators have until mid-November to tell FERC how they’re going to seamlessly bring new large loads onto the grid.

The latest: CAISO’s draft proposal centers on “proactive transmission planning, generator interconnection, and operational reliability.” It suggests defining large loads as 50 MW or greater. 

Building the plane while flying it? To speed up connection, CAISO intends to create a framework to allow large users to plug-in quickly and start receiving some amount of power (not specified), “while waiting for network upgrade completion.” 

DTE Energy submitted its 20-year Integrated Resource Plan to state regulators last week. The utility proposes to: 1) expand renewable energy by 15 GW and battery storage by 4.5 GW, 2) build two natural gas plants, totaling 2.1 GW, and 3) expand its existing nuclear plant by 177 MW. 

The result: DTE’s energy mix would go from one in 2027 that’s dominated by fossil fuels (51% combined natural gas and coal) to a clean energy focused grid by 2035 (53% renewables, 18% energy storage, and 4% nuclear). All coal would be retired by 2032. 

Calls for less gas: Vote Solar and the Environmental Law and Policy Center plan to intervene in the proceeding, to demonstrate “more cost-effective alternatives” to natural gas, such as VPPs, according to a press release.

The context: PJM withdrew the next-gen nuclear developer’s project due to several “deficiencies.” In response, Oklo requested that FERC weigh in. 

FERC’s decision: “Oklo failed to demonstrate a stable system…which is sufficient to justify PJM’s rejection of Oklo’s application,” FERC wrote. But, the agency cautioned that, in order to ensure there are enough resources to meet growing demand in the region, “it is critical that PJM collaborate with project developers before, during, and after the interconnection application process.” 

Still: Oklo can re-submit in PJM’s next study cycle, or apply through PJM’s Expedited Interconnection Track process (open until Dec. 31, 2027).

One takeaway? “I think it illustrates something much bigger about new nuclear: Designing a reactor and developing a power project are very different businesses,” Elemental co-founder David Faherty wrote on X. 

Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a third emergency order directing Tri-State, SPP, Platte River Power Authority, Salt River Project, PacifiCorp, and a subsidiary of Xcel Energy to keep Craig Unit 1 running. 

Not popular: Multiple utilities, plus the CO attorney general, sued the DOE this spring, asserting that the plant was not needed to meet electricity needs. Keeping Craig open has cost Xcel Energy more than $4M so far this year, the utility calculated.