Indiana committee backs resolution urging FERC to ease interconnection backlog; critics warn it favors incumbent utilities

The House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee voted 10-2 to pass House Concurrent Resolution 3 on a message to federal regulators that would urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve changes aimed at speeding approval of large generation and transmission projects.

The resolution, introduced by Chairman Ed Soliday, asks FERC and RTOs such as MISO and PJM to adopt procedures that reduce the current interconnection backlog and to prioritize certain large or dispatchable projects. Committee supporters framed HCR 3 as a nonprescriptive appeal to federal regulators; dissenting members said some language in the resolution would effectively favor incumbent, investor-owned utilities over independent developers.

Chairman Ed Soliday, presenting the measure, said the interconnection backlog can be lengthy and harms projects waiting to connect to the grid. “Right now, the backlog for new construction energy is as long as 4 years,” Soliday said, adding the resolution asks for “some sort of priority system” rather than the current strictly first-come, first-served approach. Soliday said the measure does not tell FERC how to fix the queue but asks that the backlog be addressed so needed projects can move forward.

Supporters from state and industry groups told the committee the backlog is harming…