Late last night, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved PJM’s request to prioritize gas plants in the interconnection queue ahead of other resources. In response, Evergreen Action Senior Power Sector Policy Lead Charles Harper released the following statement:

“FERC’s decision to allow PJM to fast-track gas projects over renewables is a major dereliction of duty for consumer protection. This ‘solution’ to put a thumb on the scale for fossil fuels does nothing to actually address the core problem—PJM’s failure to interconnect new clean energy projects to provide affordable and reliable power for the regions’ consumers. Clean energy and storage projects are not only cheaper than fossil fuels, but are faster to bring online, and are key to building a reliable, sustainable grid for the entire region. And with PJM’s grid including only five percent renewables—far behind regions like SPP and ERCOT managing over 30 percent—the true crisis lies in PJM’s refusal to connect the clean energy already waiting in its interconnection queue. 

“We’re encouraged by FERC’s approval of the Surplus Interconnection Service filing, however, which will help begin to address underlying interconnection problems. The only real solution to PJM’s woes lies in full compliance with FERC Order 2023 and fixing the queue. There’s no time to wait.”