MISO’s $25 billion, mostly 765-kV long-range transmission package for the Midwest region is nearing finalization, while the Independent Market Monitor continues to doubt the necessity of the projects.

A band of Michigan utilities wants the option to decline MISO’s affected system-style studies on distributed energy resources.

Panelists at a forum convened by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Federal and Regional Energy Affairs said advanced transmission technologies will be essential to limiting transmission costs.

Clean energy nonprofits continued to try to persuade Entergy and MISO South state commissioners to embrace a broader view of cost allocation for an upcoming long-range transmission portfolio the RTO intends for the subregion.

California regulators are overhauling rules regarding the permitting of transmission projects, and one proposal suggests creating a shortcut for projects already approved in a CAISO transmission plan.

Ten East Coast states signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a framework to coordinate interregional transmission planning and development.

Industry leaders, experts, policymakers and regulators gathered near the nation’s capital to discuss how recent FERC orders will affect regional transmission planning, cost allocation, permitting and other issues.