Clean Energy Groups Applaud MISO/SPP Moving Forward on Needed Transmission Development

Washington D.C. – September 14, 2020 – The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), along with regional partners Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) and Advanced Power Alliance (APA), applaud the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) for agreeing to move forward on a significant joint transmission planning effort on the seam between their two footprints.

The two Regional Transmission Organizations today announced a joint transmission planning initiative to identify transmission projects that provide value to customers located in areas near their seam. This initiative will lead to consumer savings, greater reliability, and increased access to existing low-cost, clean, renewable resources, as well as resources in the interconnection queues of both regions.

AWEA Central Region Electricity and Transmission Director Daniel Hall, CGA Executive Director Beth Soholt, and APA Senior Vice President for Infrastructure and Markets Steve Gaw today issued the following joint statement on the MISO/SPP announcement:

“This joint effort by MISO and SPP could be a gamechanger and is a new milestone in coordination between them, their Boards and executive leadership, and state regulators and other stakeholders. Working together, the two Regional Transmission Organizations can enable and expedite needed transmission development on their seam and address related generation interconnection challenges. Transmission is a critical component of developing wind and other renewable energy resources and delivering clean, affordable power where and when it is needed most. Coordinated transmission planning will allow consumers across the country to harness the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy. This forward-thinking partnership includes an aggressive, but achievable timeline and we pledge to provide any assistance necessary to support this effort. Our organizations have been advocating on these issues for some time through the stakeholder process and we are hopeful today’s action will be part of a broader concerted effort to modernize and strengthen the national grid for the benefit of consumers.”