Google, clean energy groups oppose MISO's fast-track grid plan — SkimNews
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- Clean energy trade groups and 11 of 15 MISO states opposed MISO’s LARS proposal at FERC, arguing it lacks safeguards against transmission cost shifts and undermines fair competition in the generator interconnection queue.
- Google warned the LARS plan threatens its Ratepayer Protection Pledge, stating existing customers could be forced to pay for network upgrades needed for new data centers and generation.
- American Clean Power Association and Southern Renewable Energy Association said the rule discriminates against independent power producers by requiring utility sponsorship, blocking direct access to the fast-track process.
- MISO proposed a 120-day LARS process for loads over 200 MW and co-located generation within the same local resource zone, aiming to speed interconnection reviews across its 10-zone footprint.
- Duke Energy Indiana, Entergy, and Cleco Power backed the LARS proposal, calling it a necessary tool to provide long-term certainty for financing large load-and-generation pairings.
- Organization of MISO States (OMS) told FERC a majority of its members have 'significant concerns' and urged any LARS-like program be time-limited to five years to prevent erosion of existing interconnection rules.
Why it matters: If approved, LARS would let utilities control access to faster grid connections, advantaging their own projects while shifting upgrade costs to ratepayers—directly impacting Google and other large energy buyers trying to expand data centers without burdening existing customers. The outcome shapes who controls grid access in a region key to U.S. data center and clean energy growth.
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