State regulators in MISO and SPP are making progress on the seams issues that continue to vex the RTOs, but much work remains, stakeholders learned.

SPP stakeholders directed the Seams Steering Committee to stop work on a proposed a waiver from charges for unreserved transmission use across the seams.

FERC approved the first SPP seams project when it accepted Tariff revisions incorporating a cost-sharing and usage agreement with AECI.

MISO said it will approve New Orleans’ request to make the city a cost allocation zone but is deferring action on an interregional cost-sharing plan by TOs.

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has kicked off an effort to develop an alternative rate structure for recovering its administrative costs.

Regulators from the SPP and MISO footprints are banding together to take on seams issues created by what one industry expert calls “RTO gerrymandering.”

MISO said it will revise its regional cost-sharing practices for interregional projects with SPP to match its process for PJM seams projects.

Interregional transmission planning challenges and the growth of renewable energy, particularly wind power were among the topics of discussion at the 2018 Mid-America Regulatory Conference.

MISO and PJM plan to unveil rule changes that will better synchronize how they manage incremental auction revenue rights along their seam.

Renewable developers sparred with transmission planners for MISO, SPP and PJM Tuesday over the RTOs' affected system studies.