FERC approved changes to the MISO-SPP joint operating agreement intended to improve an interregional planning process that has yet to produce projects.

Despite being revamped, the Coordinated System Plan process between SPP and MISO will once again be unable to identify any interregional projects.

SPP and MISO are reviewing a draft of their 2019 Coordinated System Plan, which will determine the need for any interregional transmission projects.

MISO is accepting proposals designed to relieve its costly North-South transmission constraint, but is still zeroing in on how to evaluate submissions.

The SPP-MISO Joint Planning Committee has voted to begin a new coordinated system plan this year, SPP staff told the RTO’s Seams Steering Committee.

SPP told stakeholders it will have to make decisions on potential interregional projects in the 2019/20 coordinated system plan before hearing from MISO.

SPP and MISO staff and stakeholders recommended performing a coordinated system plan in 2019-20 to study 6 possible sites for transmission projects.

MISO and SPP told stakeholders that there is “more support than not” for the RTOs to conduct a joint study of interregional transmission projects in 2019.

MISO and SPP plan to file a slightly revised version of proposed changes to their JOA aimed at making an interregional transmission project more attainable.

MISO and SPP agreed to file changes to their joint operating agreement that they say will smooth the approval of interregional projects.