Energy Policy Now Will Interconnection Reform Unlock the Grid?
Jul 8, 2025
In this conversation, Sarah Toth Kotwis, a senior associate at RMI specializing in energy grid challenges, dives into the urgent issues plaguing the U.S. electric grid. With rising electricity demands and declining fossil fuel plants, she highlights the bottleneck in interconnecting clean energy projects. The episode explores new interconnection reforms, which aim to expedite approvals and discusses the use of innovative technologies to improve grid efficiency. Sarah emphasizes the critical need for infrastructure upgrades to ensure reliable energy access in a rapidly changing landscape.
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Policy Deadlines Heighten Pressure
- Potential 2028 IRA tax credit deadlines may rush clean energy projects, intensifying backlog and chaos.
- Unrealistic timelines could hinder construction despite best efforts to accelerate build-out.
Interconnection Reform Key Features
- Reforms shift from first-come, first-served serial queue to first-ready, first-served cluster studies.
- New readiness requirements and deposits aim to prioritize projects likely to succeed and reduce backlog.
Differences and Tech in Reforms
- FERC Order 2023 mandates 150-day study limits and delay penalties; PJM has longer timelines and avoids penalties.
- Grid-enhancing technologies like dynamic line ratings can unlock capacity faster and cheaper than traditional upgrades.