DOE’s ANOPR for FERC to Expedite Large Load Interconnection could streamline grid connections, improve reliability, and keep costs down—if clear, competitive rules are adopted.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 21, 2025
CONTACT: Christina Nyquist | 603.930.8818 | cnyquist@epsa.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s proposal for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to create a standardized, expedited process for interconnecting large loads to the power grid is a critical and long‑overdue step to deliver the “speed to power” needed for America’s growing data center and manufacturing economy, says the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA). In comments filed at FERC today, EPSA underscores that a transparent, fair, and efficient federal framework can address today’s delays, reduce costs, and enable reliable power supply for rapidly expanding electricity needs. EPSA supports the Administration’s goals and offers specific recommendations to ensure FERC’s final rule is durable, workable, and grounded in competition, reliability, and sound legal authority.
The ANOPR outlines DOE’s goal for FERC to establish a standardized, expedited process for large load interconnections to the transmission system—a process that EPSA says will bring clarity, predictability, and speed to a system currently slowed by inconsistent and opaque transmission owner procedures.
Statement From Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA
“Clear rules for connecting large loads to the grid are mission-critical to meeting rising demand, protecting reliability, and staying competitive, and this is a key step to provide that certainty. If America wants to win the AI and technology race, we need a process that delivers power efficiently, fairly, and on time. EPSA has offered economic and legal support for the ANOPR and suggests improvements to several of the proposed principles for connecting to the nation’s transmission system.
EPSA strongly supports the goals of DOE’s effort. With so much at stake, we must build a process that is transparent, nondiscriminatory, and able to move projects from concept to operation as quickly as possible. Our recommendations aim to ensure competitive arrangements are not hampered or delayed and that power developers, customers, and grid operators have the regulatory certainty needed to keep pace with rapidly rising demand.”
Why FERC Action Is Needed Now
EPSA’s comments highlight that today’s system for connecting large loads is marked by opaque, unfiled, and inconsistent transmission owner processes that slow projects, cloud load forecasts, and increase costs for customers. A transparent, standardized FERC-led approach will:
- Provide clear rules of the road for large load projects,
- Accelerate data center and advanced manufacturing development,
- Improve reliability by revealing which projects are real and ready,
- Reduce speculative applications that distort planning, and
- Discipline costs through competition and consistent requirements.
Legal Authority for FERC Action
EPSA emphasizes that FERC has strong legal authority to standardize large load interconnections. Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), FERC holds exclusive jurisdiction over interstate transmission and practices that directly affect wholesale power rates. Courts and Commission precedent have long recognized that interconnection is a component of transmission service—meaning FERC has clear authority to set rules governing how large loads connect to the transmission grid.
At the same time, the ANOPR preserves appropriate state authority, including over retail sales to large loads, smaller load interconnections, and distribution-level facilities. This balanced approach provides national consistency where needed—while respecting state jurisdiction.
By grounding reforms in clear legal authority and competitive principles, FERC can establish a durable national process that accelerates large-load interconnections without sacrificing fairness, reliability, or customer value.
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The Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) is the national trade association representing America’s competitive power suppliers. EPSA members provide more than 200,000 MW of reliable and competitively priced electricity from environmentally responsible facilities using a diverse mix of fuels and technologies including natural gas, wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, storage, biomass, and coal. EPSA seeks to bring the benefits of competition to all power customers. Learn more at www.epsa.org and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter @EPSAnews.
