In a win for grid-sharing principles, the DC Circuit Court sided with FERC in denying Michigan Electric Transmission Company’s bid to claim sole ownership of transmission upgrades tied to a new solar project. (FERC)
METC had argued existing contracts gave it exclusive rights to network upgrades—key infrastructure that enables new projects to connect to the grid.
The court found METC’s interpretation would undercut joint ownership norms and potentially give one utility unfair control over access and profits from shared grid infrastructure.
Why it matters: Had the utility prevailed, it could have blocked other generators from tapping the grid unless they paid huge premiums, hampering solar and storage growth.