As of May 28, 2026, a major dispute is unfolding at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over whether incumbent utilities should retain exclusive rights to build regional transmission lines in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and Southwest Power Pool regions. [1] Utilities including Entergy and Xcel Energy argue that competitive bidding processes required under FERC Order 1000 delay urgently needed transmission projects by 16–20 months, especially as electricity demand surges from AI data centers and manufacturing expansion. [2] MISO pushed back in a May 27 filing, saying the delays are overstated and that competitive projects represent only a limited subset of transmission buildouts. [3] [4] The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates warned that eliminating competition would undermine consumer protections embedded in FERC Order 1000, while groups such as the Solar Energy Industries Association and independent developer Invenergy argued that utilities are attempting to reestablish monopoly control over transmission development.
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