PUC sets April 15 comment deadline on Tri‑State Rule 3206 filings
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Summary
The commission voted to issue notice and open a public comment period through April 15, 2026, on Tri‑State Generation and Transmission’s amended Rule 3206 filings, which seek determinations about CPCN requirements for new interconnections and a proposed "Sydney Holcomb 345" transmission line.
The Public Utilities Commission on April 1 voted to issue a notice and establish a public comment period through April 15, 2026, on Tri‑State Generation and Transmission’s second and third amended 2025 Rule 3206 filings.
Bill Dalton, a staff engineer, presented the filings and said Tri‑State is seeking a commission determination that no certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) is required for transmission interconnections for three new energy resources and for construction of a new "Sydney Holcomb 345" transmission line. Dalton said Rule 3206 annual filings help the commission determine whether proposed transmission changes are consistent with normal course‑of‑business criteria or require a separate CPCN application.
Staff recommended that the commission issue a notice under Rule 3206 and provide interested parties with 14 days to file comments, setting a deadline of April 15, 2026. The chair and the other commissioners agreed and the commission directed staff to issue the notice and set the comment period.
Why it matters: Rule 3206 filings are an administrative mechanism for utilities to notify the commission of transmission plans; the notice/response process gives stakeholders an opportunity to request further review, including CPCN proceedings if warranted. The commission did not make any final determinations about CPCN requirements at the meeting; it opened the notice/comment window to gather input.
Next steps: staff will issue the Rule 3206 notice and accept comments through April 15, 2026, after which the commission will review any filings or requests for further review.
