FERC Accepts ISO-NE as Reviewer of $5 Billion in Asset Condition Transmission

FERC on 16 October accepted ISO New England's proposal to act as an independent reviewer of transmission owners' asset condition projects, which replace or rebuild ageing equipment. The order, in Dockets ER26-3533 and ER26-3534, takes effect on 1 January 2027. The filing had unanimous support at NEPOOL.

ISO-NE will review individual projects forecast at $25 million or more on a single line or station over five years, and programmes of $100 million or more. It will report on need, alternatives and cost-effectiveness to its Planning Advisory Committee. The role is advisory, and ISO-NE will not opine on prudence.

New England owners expect about $5 billion of such projects by 2034, including $1.3 billion in 2027. By our count, that puts 26% of the eight-year total in the reviewer's first year.

Commissioners Rosner and Chang urged other regions to follow. Our analysis looks at what the thresholds catch and what they miss.