Generation owners that do not qualify for a connection to the PJMNet private communication network would be able to purchase as many as five under a proposal approved by the Operating Committee.

PJM currently pays for at least one PJMNet connection for each transmission owner considered important to system reliability and for generation owners with resources of at least 100 MW. Entities that do not have a PJMNet link connect to PJM by Internet SCADA, which is less reliable.

The committee approved a proposal that would let smaller generating members, and those that already have a PJMNet connection, buy up to five connections. Members rejected a proposal to allow smaller generators to buy only one connection and another that would have required all members to buy their first connection.

PJM says the monthly cost for a non-redundant connection will be about $2,600. Installation will cost about $12,000 or $22,000, depending on the type of protocol used. Redundant connections would cost more.