Solmar Insights
The Organization of MISO States and leading renewable energy developers are backing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) proposal to hasten review of legacy generation interconnection requests totaling approximately 71 GW. Without the accelerated plan, MISO forecasts delays of at least 18 months in processing its 2022 interconnection study cycle, a logjam that risks slowing further queue cycles.
Key figures
71 GW of legacy projects impacted
At least 18-month delay without changes
One-year interconnection cycle targeted
Support for MISO’s plan
The Organization of MISO States, which represents state utility regulators in the Midcontinent region, filed support for the accelerated process at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on October 5, 2026. The plan, also welcomed by renewable energy developers, aims to address significant delays by enabling faster processing of queued projects while ensuring reliability is maintained. These interventions are widely seen as essential by stakeholders frustrated with bottlenecks preventing projects from advancing to construction and operation.
Stakeholders highlighted that without these modifications, the entire interconnection queue would remain severely stalled. Advanced Energy United commented that only bold action, such as MISO’s proposed changes, could restore the process to a reliable one-year cycle, thus enabling fair and efficient new resource entry on the grid.
Mechanics of the queue backlog
MISO’s current Definitive Planning Phase (DPP) process, which reviews requests for interconnection to its system, has become snarled. A main cause is late-stage project withdrawals, often prompted by infeasibility or changing project economics, that trigger repeat restudies for the remaining projects. These restudies cascade delays throughout the affected queue batch, holding up even otherwise viable projects. MISO has argued that existing withdrawal penalties sometimes incentivize nonviable projects to stay in the queue longer than warranted, increasing uncertainty for every developer involved.
The legacy 2022 queue cycle was particularly affected, with multiple late withdrawals causing iterative delays. Without intervention, MISO expects at least an 18-month slip in progress toward interconnecting the nearly 71 GW of projects under evaluation, delay with direct consequences for resource adequacy and renewable integration in the region.
Core changes in the proposal
The proposed reforms enable projects in the 2022 queue cycle to withdraw from the interconnection process without penalty, so long as they exit before “Decision Point II,” occurring on October 20. This flexibility is expected to clear nonviable projects before critical study phases, reducing the risk of disruptive late-stage departures that historically have required time-intensive restudies for the remaining queue entries.
The plan also introduces stricter thresholds for penalty-free withdrawals after Decision Point II, discouraging speculative or marginal projects from lingering deep into the process and contributing further uncertainty. MISO submitted this proposal for FERC approval on September 21, with the request that it be finalized by October 19, to align with the current study timeline.
Market context and grid impacts
MISO’s congestion reflects broader national grid issues as regional transmission organizations respond to surging interconnection requests, driven by both renewable energy targets and rising electricity demand. Timely queue processing is essential for new wind, solar, and storage assets to come online and support decarbonization, grid reliability, and state policy goals in the Midcontinent region.
If successful, the reforms would allow viable projects to advance more quickly toward commercial operation, potentially impacting power plant development timelines and transmission planning. For transmission-owning utilities and developers, the accelerated queue could lead to clearer paths for project financing, interconnection cost certainty, and new capacity delivery opportunities.
Next steps and FERC decision timeline
With comments from state regulators and developers in support, FERC is now considering MISO’s filing. A decision is sought by October 19, before the next scheduled Decision Point II in the interconnection process. Should the commission approve, developers and utilities will have a narrowly defined window to revise their queue strategies and assess viability under the new rules.
The outcome of this filing may set a precedent for future interconnection queue reform both in MISO and other organized markets facing similar backlog issues. Market participants are watching closely as any approved changes could enable a faster pathway from project conception to commercial operation and revenue recognition, affecting project bankability and investor interest across the region.
What this means for buyers
Interconnection access in MISO is directly affected by the plan to accelerate review of 71 GW of queued projects. The window for penalty-free project withdrawal closes at Decision Point II on October 20, which may change project viability and timing for both buyers and developers. Institutional buyers should assess which projects may move forward faster or stall, and adjust portfolio strategies and procurement decisions to reflect likely queue clearing this quarter.
Reporting via the original publisher
