FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2026
NEW ENGLAND STATES, THROUGH NESCOE, ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON LARGE LOAD INTEGRATION, CONSUMER PROTECTION, AND REGIONAL ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
The New England states issued the following joint statement in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent show cause proceedings addressing the integration of large loads onto the nation’s electric grid.
July 1, 2026 – The New England states write jointly to affirm their shared commitment to consumer protection, energy affordability, and responsible regional energy policy as the nation’s electric grid confronts a period of unprecedented demand growth.
According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), electricity demand is growing at a rate not seen in more than two decades, driven in significant part by the rapid interconnection of large commercial and industrial loads – most notably data centers – to the transmission system. This growth presents both meaningful economic opportunities and material risks to grid reliability and affordability for New England’s electricity customers.
In response, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued tailored show cause orders to each of the regional grid operators under its jurisdiction, including ISO New England. FERC explained that “[t]hese groundbreaking proceedings represent historic action by the Commission to push our country’s electric markets and economy into the future by speeding the integration of large energy users, like data centers and manufacturing operations, onto the electric grid. These actions are designed to ensure that consumers nationwide continue to enjoy reliable, affordable power, as demand soars and technology leaps forward.”[1]
NESCOE commends the Commission for recognizing that regional circumstances vary significantly across the country and for crafting proceedings that address the distinct facts and consumer needs of each region rather than imposing a uniform national framework. The Commission has further made clear that while its orders address cost-shifting among transmission customers, the responsibility for protecting retail customers from cost-shifting rests with the states. NESCOE agrees.
New England operates as a single, integrated electric grid, and the states are mindful that large load development decisions – wherever they occur within New England – carry consequences for ratepayers and grid reliability across state lines. Accordingly, the six New England states commit to working collaboratively with one another, with ISO New England, with the region’s consumer advocates, and with other interested stakeholders to develop large load policies and approaches that balance economic opportunity against risks to consumers, protect local communities, and safeguard regional grid reliability. NESCOE will participate meaningfully in FERC’s show cause proceedings and will maintain consumer protection, energy affordability and electric system reliability as central priorities in those proceedings and in related regional policy discussions.
The New England states have a long tradition of regional cooperation on matters of shared energy concerns. The challenges and opportunities presented by large load growth will be met with that same collaborative approach.