By Amanda Durish Cook

MISO is postponing a second attempt at changing its generator interconnection queue rules while it assesses FERC feedback and awaits input from a commission technical conference next month.

The RTO will participate in the conference, set for May 13 (RM16-12, RM15-21).

“MISO still believes that reforms to the interconnection queue process are necessary to adapt to a rapidly evolving generation fleet, and we look forward to further discussions with FERC and stakeholders to move this process forward,” the RTO said in an update to the Planning Advisory Committee. (See MISO Unveils Queue Rule Transition as Wind Advocates Seek Delay.)

FERC last month rejected MISO’s proposed queue changes, saying they assumed the current backlog could be blamed on “speculative” projects and “fail[ed] to consider other potential factors” (ER16-675). Those factors included the timeliness of MISO’s queue processing and its coordination with neighboring RTOs. The commission also said a proposed milestone payment could create barriers to entry for smaller developers.

“We’re free to file again, anytime we want, but we have to address the concerns FERC has,” said Tim Aliff, MISO director of interconnection and planning.

Aliff said MISO’s Interconnection Process Task Force will survey stakeholders to determine which parts of the queue plan are salvageable. He also said some new processes — such as providing interconnection customers with models ahead of the queue entrance — might be included.

MISO also is planning a filing to comply with a FERC order requiring the RTO to charge uniform milestone payments to all external, internal and existing customers. (See FERC Orders MISO to Charge Uniform Interconnection Fees.) Aliff said that filing will be made separately from the revised queue filing.