As of April 16, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an Order Regarding Intent to Act in Docket No. RM26-4-000, formally signaling that it will move forward by June 2026 on establishing standardized interconnection procedures for large electricity loads, including data centers and other high-intensity demand users. [1] The order builds on the Commission’s broader effort to address rising interconnection queue backlogs across U.S. regional transmission organizations and to improve coordination between transmission planning and rapidly growing load forecasts. It specifically highlights concerns that existing processes were designed primarily for generation interconnection rather than large-scale demand connections, creating procedural gaps as load growth accelerates. The Commission also notes that inconsistent regional treatment of large-load interconnections has begun to create planning uncertainty for both transmission providers and customers, particularly in high-growth areas tied to electrification and digital infrastructure expansion.

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-act-large-load-interconnection-docket-june-2026