The Michigan Public Service Commission on Aug. 7 approved a process for addressing requests filed under the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's Expedited Resource Addition Study, a temporary process meant to speed up the review of new electric generation projects to address resource adequacy and reliability needs in MISO’s territory in the near term.
MISO is the regional transmission operator for most of Michigan, 14 other states and the Canadian province of Manitoba.
Under ERAS, new electric generation projects must be approved by utility regulators before consideration by MISO. The process established by the PSC was designed in response to this requirement and reflect some of the unique features of Michigan’s regulatory framework, the commission said (the related docket is available on the PSC's website).
The Commission in June sought comment on a revised process proposal for addressing requests filed under the ERAS tariff. Today’s order reviews comments and explains the process the Commission approved.
In a related matter, the Commission today verified that three DTE Electric Co. energy storage and renewable energy projects are eligible to be included in the ERAS process.
The DTE Electric projects that the Commission deemed eligible for fast-tracked interconnection study include the 350-megawatt Monroe Storage Project in Monroe County and the 200-MW Fermi Storage Project, both of which will connect to a new substation the company is building in Monroe County; as well as the company’s 175-MW Au Gres Solar Park Project, which will connect to a new substation in Arenac County. The three projects are anticipated to begin commercial operation in 2028.
The Commission’s approval of the projects for ERAS inclusion does not indicate the Commission’s overall approval of the projects.
Rather, the Commission’s decisions on project approval will take place when the projects are formally submitted, while decisions on cost recovery will happen in appropriate future rate cases or other cost-recovery proceedings.
