Graded Minimal and tightening on how it connects a new large load. 6 states, 5 actions with sources, reviewed 10 October 2026.
No special large-load rules are in force; ISO-NE's tariff filing is planned for November 16, 2026.
No collateral or capacity charge for large loads exists; the prompt seasonal auction is targeted for May 2028.
No curtailment obligation is in force; interim curtailable service for up to seven years is proposed for the November 16, 2026 filing.
Nothing restricts co-location today, though the proposal for the November 16, 2026 filing would require new large loads to bring new capacity.
ISO-NE's July 20, 2026 report cites healthy reserve margins and under 300 MW in study but names winter gas pipeline limits and large-load tariff gaps.
Scored on rules in force, 1 to 5. 5 is the most regulated. Pending rules set the arrow.
ISO-NE counts only projects of 20 MW or more with formal transmission study agreements: two projects, 285 MW at most, in formal study (CELT May 2026); 395 MW preliminary nameplate pipeline 2026-2040 in Feb 2026, to be derated up to 50%. 2026 CELT: large loads add about 110 MW to summer and winter peak in the 2030s and about 130 MW in the 2040s, with no system impact before winter 2027/2028 isonewswire.com Pace: ISO-NE 2026 large load forecast: zero peak impact for the upcoming summer through summer 2027 and winter 2026/27; under 300 MW in formal study, nothing under construction. No in-service MW published.
New England has seen little large-load growth and has a comfortable supply margin, so ISO-NE has no special large-load rules in force. In answer to FERC's June 2026 order it has said it expects to require new large loads to bring their own new generation and to leave them out of the capacity requirement it buys for the region, so that existing customers do not pay for them. FERC granted a 90-day pause on 14 August 2026.
ISO-NE and its transmission owners will file under section 205 by 16 November 2026, with the application and study processes proposed to start on 1 June 2027 and the detailed bring-your-own-new-capacity rules developed through 2027 in a stakeholder process. The seasonal capacity market proposal is to be filed by the end of 2026, with the first prompt, seasonal auction targeted for May 2028.
ISO-NE is graded Minimal and tightening on how it connects a new large load: Plans to require new large loads to bring new generation New England has seen little large-load growth and has a comfortable supply margin, so ISO-NE has no special large-load rules in force. In answer to FERC's June 2026 order it has said it expects to require new large loads to bring their own new generation and to leave them out of the capacity requirement it buys for the region, so that existing customers do not pay for them. FERC granted a 90-day pause on 14 August 2026.
395 MW of large-load interconnection requests as of May 2026, of which 285 MW approved or contracted. ISO-NE counts only projects of 20 MW or more with formal transmission study agreements: two projects, 285 MW at most, in formal study (CELT May 2026); 395 MW preliminary nameplate pipeline 2026-2040 in Feb 2026, to be derated up to 50%.
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Each state page gives that state's own laws, incentives and local actions, which sit under the grid's connection rules.
4 of 6: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire.
ISO-NE and its transmission owners will file under section 205 by 16 November 2026, with the application and study processes proposed to start on 1 June 2027 and the detailed bring-your-own-new-capacity rules developed through 2027 in a stakeholder process. The seasonal capacity market proposal is to be filed by the end of 2026, with the first prompt, seasonal auction targeted for May 2028.
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.
ISO-NE told FERC in July 2026 that it proposes to require new large loads to bring new generation, modeled on SPP's interim service rules, and to exclude them from the Installed Capacity Requirement that sets capacity auction demand. Since September 2026 the requirement is called bring your own new capacity: a load must designate enough new capacity resources to get firm service and takes interim curtailable service until they operate. The 16 November 2026 filing gives notice of both; the detailed 2027 scope was discussed with stakeholders on 27 October 2026.
Source: climatesolutionslaw.comISO-NE's proposal summary, updated 26 October 2026, defines a large load as a customer at a single site with gross peak demand of 50 MW or more connecting above 60 kV, with existing loads entering the category on an increase of 5 MW or more. Large loads must bring their own new capacity to obtain firm service and take interim curtailable service until that capacity is in commercial operation, for up to seven years or until their network upgrades are built; they are excluded from the Installed Capacity Requirement. Applications are studied serially in 90 days, with up to 120 more days if a cluster study is needed, and carry a $50,000 application fee, a $150,000 study deposit and a $10,000 per MW commercial readiness deposit. The application and study processes are proposed to take effect 1 June 2027.
Source: iso-ne.comFERC issued the order on 18 June 2026 and granted a 90-day abeyance on 14 August. ISO-NE plans a section 205 tariff filing on 16 November 2026 covering the five reform areas FERC named, after a stakeholder process.
Source: iso-ne.comISO-NE is moving from a three-year-forward auction to a prompt, seasonal capacity market. Its 2027 work plan, issued 22 October 2026, says the seasonal auction and accreditation proposal will be filed at FERC by the end of 2026 for implementation in the second quarter of 2027, with summer and winter auctions held in 2028, the first targeted for May 2028. It describes its supply position as long, with healthy reserve margins.
Source: climatesolutionslaw.comOrder 202-26-03 of 25 January 2026 directed units to run at maximum output during the winter storm; it was extended to 14 February.
Source: energy.govNeed 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 →