FE · 10-Q · 2026Q1 · Full report
Large Load Interconnection Rulemaking
FIRSTENERGY CORP · 2026-04-28 · Importance 37 · Surprise 42
The U.S. Secretary of Energy directed FERC to adopt rules to speed interconnection of large loads (including AI data centers and hybrid data center/generation facilities), advancing principles that large loads should pay for required network upgrades or have the option to build them. FirstEnergy and over 150 other parties filed comments and FERC indicated intent to act in June 2026. FirstEnergy warns that if new regulations limit transmission utilities’ ability to fully recover upgrade costs for new large loads, its transmission investment strategy could be adversely affected. The rulemaking could change cost allocation and recovery treatment for interconnection‑driven transmission projects.
Key facts
- On October 23, 2025 the U.S. Secretary of Energy directed FERC to conduct a rulemaking to speed interconnection to the transmission system of large loads including AI data centers and hybrid data center/generation facilities and requested final action by April 30, 2026; FERC noticed the directive for comment and established deadlines of November 21, 2025 for initial comments and December 5, 2025 for reply comments with FET and its transmission affiliates filing comments, and on April 16, 2026 FERC issued notice of its intent to take action in June 2026.