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Witnesses urge tighter oversight of transmission 'supplemental' projects, faster PJM interconnection and a grid 'heat map'
Summary
Industry and advocacy witnesses told the committee that many expensive transmission projects have been classified as 'supplemental' and escape regional review. They urged lowering the Ohio Power Siting Board threshold to 69 kV, better PJM interconnection processes, and publication of hosting‑capacity maps to speed projects and reduce costs.
Multiple witnesses at the Senate Bill 2 hearing flagged growing transmission costs in Ohio and urged statutory changes to increase oversight and speed interconnection for new generation and large loads.
David Proano and other witnesses showed committee figures indicating that utilities categorize many projects as “supplemental,” a classification that receives a lighter review at PJM and shifts the project costs to in‑state ratepayers. Proano told the committee the Ohio Power Siting Board’s jurisdiction currently begins at 100 kilovolts and that many costly projects occur at 69 kV; he proposed lowering OPSB jurisdiction to 69 kV so those projects receive greater scrutiny.
Several witnesses — including the Ohio Independent Power Producers and 1 Power Company — pressed for faster interconnection and a shorter PJM queue. Tom Copas and other developers said PJM interconnection waits can run five to seven years, discouraging private merchant generation. Katie Treadway of 1 Power suggested adding a “self‑build” option for new large loads so developers can build substations to utility standards and hand them to utilities to own and operate, which she said could shorten timelines.
Tom Bullock and others urged the committee to publish a statewide “hosting capacity” or heat map so generators and customers can identify where the grid can accept new generation or large loads without costly upgrades. Proponents said medium‑scale distributed projects (community solar, co‑located behind‑the‑meter projects) could be deployed in 18 months and relieve near‑term demand pressure while larger transmission and PJM processes proceed.
Industry and economic‑development witnesses told the committee that lowering project review thresholds, improving interconnection timelines, and better transparency would reduce costs, speed private investment and make Ohio more competitive for data centers and advanced manufacturing.
Committee members did not vote; witnesses said they would work with staff on statutory language to reduce regulatory gaps.
