Graded Light and steady on how it connects a new large load. 2 states, 5 actions with sources, reviewed 10 October 2026.
Utilities handle large loads today; CAISO's 50 MW framework was board-approved October 28, 2026 but is not in force until FERC accepts the November filing.
No large-load collateral or capacity charge exists at the grid operator level.
No curtailment obligation is in force; the curtailable interim service approved by the board October 28, 2026 goes to FERC by November 16, 2026.
FERC's June 18, 2026 order found the tariff inadequate for co-located loads, so co-location proceeds under review pending the November filing.
CAISO holds a 2.5 GW surplus (July 20, 2026), but PG&E had executed agreements for only 490 MW of a 12.7 GW pipeline and plans 1.8 GW by 2030 (July 24, 2026).
Scored on rules in force, 1 to 5. 5 is the most regulated. Pending rules set the arrow.
CEC tally of data center capacity requests reported by utilities in the CAISO area as of Dec 2025: 5,086 MW signed agreements, 9,587 MW active applications, 8,604 MW inquiries; CAISO itself keeps no large load queue. CEC 2025 IEPR: data center load in the CAISO balancing area grows 1.8 GW by 2030 and 4.9 GW by 2040; CAISO is studying 4.5 GW of data centers in the 2025-2026 transmission plan energy.ca.gov Pace: Not found as a period figure. CEC data center methodology memo (Apr 2026) puts existing data center peak demand at approximately 1,000 MW as of Dec 2025, with 2024 baseline also ~1,000 MW; 2025 increment is forecast (413 MW), not measured.
CAISO reports no supply shortfall and modest data center growth compared with other regions. FERC nonetheless found in June 2026 that its tariff offers large loads essentially only firm service. CAISO's answer is two flexible interconnection options for loads of 50 MW or more, one interim and one permanent, which the investor-owned utilities would then have to write into their own tariffs. California's utility tariff and state law changes sit outside the grid operator.
The Board of Governors approved the large-load framework on 28 October 2026 with a single flexible interim interconnection service and dropped the permanent flexible option; the tariff filing is due at FERC by 16 November 2026, and FERC then decides whether it satisfies the June show-cause order. PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric must file conforming terms before any customer can take the new service, and the permanent flexible service and proximate load and generation arrangements go to future stakeholder processes.
CAISO is graded Light and steady on how it connects a new large load: Board-approved 50 MW framework with curtailable interim service goes to FERC in November CAISO reports no supply shortfall and modest data center growth compared with other regions. FERC nonetheless found in June 2026 that its tariff offers large loads essentially only firm service. CAISO's answer is two flexible interconnection options for loads of 50 MW or more, one interim and one permanent, which the investor-owned utilities would then have to write into their own tariffs. California's utility tariff and state law changes sit outside the grid operator.
23.3 GW of large-load interconnection requests as of Dec 2025, of which 5.1 GW approved or contracted. CEC tally of data center capacity requests reported by utilities in the CAISO area as of Dec 2025: 5,086 MW signed agreements, 9,587 MW active applications, 8,604 MW inquiries; CAISO itself keeps no large load queue.
California and Nevada. Each state page gives that state's own laws, incentives and local actions, which sit under the grid's connection rules.
2 of 2: California, Nevada.
The Board of Governors approved the large-load framework on 28 October 2026 with a single flexible interim interconnection service and dropped the permanent flexible option; the tariff filing is due at FERC by 16 November 2026, and FERC then decides whether it satisfies the June show-cause order. PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric must file conforming terms before any customer can take the new service, and the permanent flexible service and proximate load and generation arrangements go to future stakeholder processes.
5 items: each is a law, order, tariff, ruling, utility action or local decision that changes what a data center must do, pay or disclose, or where it may be built. Failed and pending measures are marked. Each links to its source.
CAISO posted the draft final proposal and draft tariff language on 24 September 2026, held a stakeholder meeting on 1 October and a virtual meeting on the tariff language on 19 October, with written comments due 15 October 2026. The board approved the proposal on 28 October 2026 and the tariff filing goes to FERC by 16 November.
Source: caiso.comThe CAISO Board of Governors approved the large-load proposal on 28 October 2026. It defines a large load as an end user at a single site with a peak of 50 MW or more, creates a Flexible Interim Load Interconnection service that lets a load connect subject to enforceable curtailment until network upgrades are complete, opens a monthly window for reviewing transmission additions tied to large loads outside the annual plan, requires hourly forecasts and telemetry, and lets the ISO work with transmission owners to disconnect large loads remotely to protect reliability. The permanent flexible option from the August straw proposal was dropped, and a PG&E request for a 20 MW threshold was declined for now. CAISO will file the tariff language at FERC by 16 November 2026.
Source: publicpower.orgPublished 12 August 2026. A large load is defined as an end user at a single site with a peak of 50 MW or more. One option lets a load connect at a curtailable level while network upgrades are built and then convert to firm service; a second, permanent option would let a load that stays curtailable avoid funding or waiting for upgrades. The draft final proposal of 24 September dropped the permanent option, and the board approved the single interim service on 28 October 2026.
Source: mgrid.orgFERC's 18 June 2026 order preliminarily found CAISO's tariff inadequate for large and co-located loads. CAISO moved for abeyance on 3 August; FERC granted 90 days and set 16 November 2026 for the tariff filing.
Source: capacityglobal.comCAISO told FERC on 20 July 2026 that it has added about 36,000 MW since 2020 and holds a surplus of more than 2.5 GW above the reliability standard. The California Energy Commission forecasts data center load growth of 1.8 GW by 2030 and 4.9 GW by 2040.
Source: climatesolutionslaw.comNeed the capacity sooner than the queue allows? Every unit in the register is held by Genloop, restored and re-warrantied, and can move on your timeline.
Fast-track power →