FERC puts the grid on notice
Section 206 show-cause orders to six RTOs. One intrastate exception. Six regions, six answers, six timelines.
FERC orders all six jurisdictional RTOs to fix large-load rules
FERC issued tailored Section 206 show-cause orders under the Federal Power Act to PJM, MISO, SPP, CAISO, ISO-NE, and NYISO. Each region must justify its current large-load interconnection tariff or propose reforms. The orders advance the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Docket RM26-4-000) that grew out of the DOE Secretary's October 23, 2025 directive.
"Large load" is defined as a facility drawing more than 20 MW. The orders do not impose one national tariff. FERC emphasized regional flexibility and respect for state jurisdiction.
FERC signaled it will extend the three transmission services developed in PJM's co-location case as a model: interim network integration transmission service, firm contract demand, and non-firm contract demand.
FERC's David LaCerte stated that if the RTOs fail to address the concerns, FERC will dictate the solutions.
ERCOT is intrastate and outside FERC jurisdiction. It did not receive a show-cause order. ERCOT's large-load rules run on their own track through Texas SB6 and the PUCT. A structural difference, not an oversight.
Source: FERC (Apr 16, 2026); Utility Dive (Jun 18, 2026); Akin Gump (Jun 18, 2026).
Where each market stands
| ISO | FERC action | Status | Key deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-location show-cause (Docket EL25-49) + June 18 large-load order | Furthest along. Dec 18, 2025 order found tariff and BTMG rules unjust and unreasonable. PJM filed compliance Feb 23, 2026. | BTMG tariff requested effective July 31, 2026 | ||
| June 18 large-load order | Ahead of peers. FERC approved SPP's HILL (High Impact Large Load) initiative in January 2026. | Per show-cause schedule | ||
| June 18 large-load order | Must justify or reform tariff. | Per show-cause schedule (VERIFY exact dates) | ||
| June 18 large-load order | Different posture. CAISO does not offer physical transmission service, so its remedy differs. | Per show-cause schedule (VERIFY) | ||
| June 18 large-load order | Must justify or reform tariff. | Per show-cause schedule (VERIFY) | ||
| June 18 large-load order | Must justify or reform tariff. | Per show-cause schedule (VERIFY) | ||
| None | Outside FERC jurisdiction. Governed by Texas SB6 and the PUCT. | N/A | — |
The era of one national interconnection standard ended before it began. A term sheet signed against today's PJM tariff carries different risk than one signed against MISO or CAISO, because each region is now on its own clock. Speed-to-power now depends on which map you are standing on.
How we got here
- Feb 20, 2025FERC
FERC opens Section 206 show-cause on PJM co-location tariff.
- Oct 23, 2025DOE
DOE Secretary directs FERC to reform large-load interconnection (ANOPR, RM26-4-000).
- Dec 18, 2025FERC
FERC orders PJM to create co-location rules; finds PJM tariff and BTMG rules unjust and unreasonable.
- Jan 2026FERC
FERC approves SPP's HILL initiative.
- Feb 23, 2026PJM
PJM files BTMG and co-location compliance (requested effective July 31, 2026).
- Mar 11, 2026FERC
FERC approves ComEd data center transmission agreements.
- Apr 16, 2026FERC
FERC announces it will act on the large-load docket by end of June 2026.
- Jun 18, 2026FERC
FERC issues Section 206 show-cause orders to all six jurisdictional RTOs.
- Jun 30, 2026PJM
PJM 2028/2029 Base Residual Auction begins.
- Sep 2026PJM
PJM Reliability Backstop Procurement Phase I (bilateral) expected.
- Mar 2027PJM
PJM Reliability Backstop Procurement Phase II (auction) expected.
Last full data refresh: June 22, 2026. Items marked VERIFY require a primary-source pull before relying on them in a decision.