FERC approves reliability standard, pipeline certificates at September meeting

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FERC reliability & pipeline decisions

Highlights

FERC approves North American Electric Reliability Corporation's Reliability Standard CIP-014-4 to enhance physical security and consistency across critical Bulk-Power System facilities.
FERC finds ISO New England's tariff unjust and unreasonable, ordering a compliance filing within 120 days, and authorizes multiple electric market and transaction changes including a 50% Invenergy AMPCI Thermal Power interest acquisition by Gray Wolf.
FERC issues pipeline certificates and new capacity authorizations for Gulf South Pipeline, Texas Gas Transmission, and Venture Global Gator Express, supporting 170,000 Dth/d in new firm gas transportation capacity and additional infrastructure development.

September orders span power and gas regulation

As reported by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency approves North American Electric Reliability Corporation's proposed Reliability Standard CIP-014-4, which is designed to strengthen physical security across critical Bulk-Power System facilities. FERC says the modified standard provides a more consistent approach for identifying and assessing transmission stations, transmission substations and primary control centers that are critical to grid operations.

The commission also finds that ISO New England's tariff is unjust and unreasonable in a show cause proceeding and directs the regional grid operator to submit a compliance filing within 120 days of the date of the order. In a separate electric market action, FERC conditionally accepts Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's notice of change in status and tariff revisions, while requiring the company to offer its SPP West units at or below each unit's mitigated energy offer.

Among other electric orders, the commission authorizes a transaction involving Grays Harbor Energy LLC in which Gray Wolf acquires a 50% interest in Invenergy AMPCI Thermal Power. It also finds that ENGIE S.A. affiliates named in the Bluestone Farm Solar proceeding continue to satisfy standards for market-based rate authority, and determines there is no basis for further action on spot market energy sales involving TransAlta Energy Marketing (U.S.) Inc., Mercuria Energy America, LLC and Calpine Energy Services, L.P.

FERC additionally sustains its May 15, 2026 order in the Southwest Power Pool rehearing matter over an unexecuted Generator Interconnection Agreement, and accepts informational filings from Invenergy Nelson entities regarding a planned upstream transfer of ownership. In hydropower matters, the commission denies a stay and upholds its earlier license order for FFP Project 101, LLC's Goldendale Energy Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project, while issuing a new license to Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin.

Pipeline and infrastructure decisions shape U.S. energy investment

On the natural gas side, the commission issues certificates and approves abandonments for Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC and Texas Gas Transmission, LLC, authorizing new pipeline facilities. It also denies Healthy Gulf's protest and authorizes construction for Venture Global Gator Express, LLC.

FERC further grants Texas Gas Transmission, LLC authorization for a project designed to create 170,000 Dth/d of new firm transportation capacity. The commission also issues certificates in the UGI Auburn proceedings, extending support for additional gas infrastructure development.

The meeting's decisions underscore how federal oversight is continuing to shape reliability compliance, market conduct and capital investment in U.S. power and gas networks. For utilities, developers and pipeline operators, the orders set near-term compliance obligations while clarifying the regulatory path for transmission, generation and fuel transport projects.

Massachusetts’ new clean-power rules for large data centers highlight how policymakers are tightening oversight of major new electricity loads. Our earlier report explained that projects above 25 MW must either secure qualifying clean energy supply (including on-site or nearby generation) or contribute to a ratepayer protection fund, while the state also paused applications for a new sales tax exemption. The move reflects a broader shift from incentives to stricter rules as states weigh grid impacts, local concerns, and surging power demand.

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