RTO Insider™

Xcel Energy CEO Bob Frenzel announced that the company has updated its five-year capital spending plan to $70 billion as it meets an “extraordinary moment” in the nation’s grid buildout and modernization. Frenzel added that Xcel will fund 12.5 GW of new generation and spend $7 billion to serve contracted data centers. See what else was discussed on the company’s third-quarter earnings call. ow.ly/yzmu51034QN

Speaking at the Organization of MISO States’ annual meeting, Ameren Missouri President Aaron Melda urged MISO utilities and regulators to approach unprecedented load growth responsibly as his company prepares to add 2.8 GW of large loads by 2030. Speakers also emphasized the need for community engagement, stronger data center requirements and a greater use of distributed energy resources and grid-enhancing technologies when it comes to maintaining reliability and protecting customers. Amanda Durish Cook was in the room in St. Louis. ow.ly/pewB51034NX

Michael Brooks was in the room for several conferences these past few weeks, including the Nodal Trader Conference in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22. There, AI’s effect on demand was a major topic of discussion. While grid operators are trying to grasp the amount of future demand from data centers, AI’s varying roles in the facilities can cause rapid fluctuations that create yet another level of uncertainty. Panelists also questioned the reliability of the long-term load forecasts. ow.ly/ahOm51034MJ

Host | Southeast Renewable Energy What to expect? Meet the Policy Makers, Utilities and Renewable Players Working to Seize the Opportunities and Meet the Challenges of Burgeoning Southeastern Load Growth Registration | ow.ly/6c0F50ZqSQ8

Host | DTECH What to expect? DTECH® delivers the insights and connections that move the industry forward. Whether you're focused on resiliency, reliability, sustainability, or grid modernization, DTECH® events offer unmatched value, collaboration, and opportunities to spark real transformation—today and tomorrow. Join us and be part of the momentum shaping the future of transmission and distribution. Registration | ow.ly/oVqj50ZWT32

Host | New England-Canada Business Council (NECBC) What to expect? This annual event brings together over 200 senior executives, policymakers, and innovators from across the U.S. and Canada to address the most pressing issues of our energy system including grid reliability, clean energy integration, affordability, and cross-border collaboration. Registration | ow.ly/gY4V50ZYsFL

Host | Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) What to expect? The Summit brings government, industry, NGOs, academic, and media stakeholders together to address top issues facing the supply of electric power and to consider the economic and environmental benefits competitive power has brought to the nation and how markets and policy must evolve to meet future demand. Registration | ow.ly/IXpr50ZYzXU

Host | Southeast Renewable Energy What to expect? Meet the Policy Makers, Utilities and Renewable Players Working to Seize the Opportunities and Meet the Challenges of Burgeoning Southeastern Load Growth Registration | ow.ly/6c0F50ZqSQ8

Host | DTECH What to expect? DTECH® delivers the insights and connections that move the industry forward. Whether you're focused on resiliency, reliability, sustainability, or grid modernization, DTECH® events offer unmatched value, collaboration, and opportunities to spark real transformation—today and tomorrow. Join us and be part of the momentum shaping the future of transmission and distribution. Registration | ow.ly/oVqj50ZWT32

Host | New England-Canada Business Council (NECBC) What to expect? This annual event brings together over 200 senior executives, policymakers, and innovators from across the U.S. and Canada to address the most pressing issues of our energy system including grid reliability, clean energy integration, affordability, and cross-border collaboration. Registration | ow.ly/gY4V50ZYsFL

Host | Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) What to expect? The Summit brings government, industry, NGOs, academic, and media stakeholders together to address top issues facing the supply of electric power and to consider the economic and environmental benefits competitive power has brought to the nation and how markets and policy must evolve to meet future demand. Registration | ow.ly/IXpr50ZYzXU

Host | PowerUp Data Centers What to expect? Meet the Public and Private Capital to Fund the Power Infrastructure Behind AI and Other Data Centers Registration | ow.ly/niKs50ZqSK4

PJM is proposing to combine generator interconnection and large load transmission service requests into a single annual study process, raising concerns about potential delays and increased costs. In today’s Stakeholder Forum, the American Clean Power Association’s Brett White argues that PJM should demonstrate the proposal’s benefits and address cost allocation, project readiness and modeling uncertainties before overhauling the process. ow.ly/1C585102ykY

In a bid to reorganize under a holding company, Portland General Electric is seeking clarification on two conditions the company must meet to receive the Oregon PUC’s blessing. PGE has called some of the conditions “unworkable,” including a stipulation that no dividends could be drawn without the PUC’s approval if the company’s credit rating drops. CFO Joseph Trpik called the requirements “red lines” on Oct. 29’s earnings call. ow.ly/GEwC5102xQW

Past and present MISO state utility commissioners are discussing the possibility of reconstituting a group that would bring together regulators from the MISO and SPP footprints to help move the needle on interregional planning. #energysky 🔌💡 ow.ly/syRi5102xNg

Panelists at the Organization of MISO States’ annual meeting Oct. 27 kicked around the idea of bringing back the Seams Liaison Committee in the hopes that getting MISO and SPP regulators together sparks interregional planning. Ironically, the discussion took place moments before the grid operators announced they would not pursue any interregional projects from their latest CSP. Speakers said the committee would at least open up lines of communication. Amanda Durish Cook has the news out of St. Louis. ow.ly/rm2G5102xJT

CAISO’s Board of Governors approved a large loads proposal designed to accommodate growing artificial intelligence data center demand in the ISO. #energysky 🔌💡 ow.ly/nAfw5102780

CAISO’s Board of Governors approved its large loads proposal in response to FERC’s June show-cause order. The proposal would give the ISO the ability to review transmission projects associated with large loads and had five areas of focus, including application procedures, cost shifting and further policy surrounding the facilities meant to power the large loads. CAISO plans to file the proposal with FERC by Nov. 16. ow.ly/nAfw5102780

The Environmental Defense Fund said the Trump administration has given financial or regulatory boosts to 90 coal-fired plants throughout the nation, with 70 of them receiving emissions exemptions. EDF estimates the actions have cost taxpayers and ratepayers a combined $1.5 billion, along with $860 million in “health damages.” See what else EDF had to say about the U.S. Department of Energy and its extended use of the coal plants. rtoinsider.com/150031-edf-re…

A report from SPP’s Market Monitoring Unit digs into energy emergency alerts issued for the RTO’s West balancing authority area on three days over the summer ... #energysky 🔌💡 ow.ly/u9qu51026Ym