Oklahoma Regulators Weigh FERC Order on Large Load Rules
After cancelling a planned meeting on Wednesday, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
It will focus on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and a recent order regarding large electrical loads and the Interstate Transmission Company. The discussion and any possible decision by Corporation Commissioners could impact large industrial users in Oklahoma, including data centers.
Federal Review Triggered by DOE Request
The discussion on the FERC order came after Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a late October request, urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop standardized procedures for the interconnection of large electrical loads.
Five days later, FERC established a new docket (Docket No. RM26-4-000) to consider DOE’s ANOPR and issued a “Notice Inviting Comments.”
The environmental law firm Beveridge & Diamond indicated the initiative is a response to surging “electricity demand from AI data centers and other energy-intensive industries” and aligns with the Administration’s broader goals to strengthen domestic manufacturing and AI infrastructure.
Former Republican FERC Chair Mark Christie—also a former Virginia Corporation Commission member—opposes the move and “called the proposed rulemaking ‘an unprecedented expansion of federal control and intrusion on the states’ historic retail regulatory authority.’”
If Corporation Commissioners adopt the rule, it would give FERC more jurisdiction over the interconnection of large electrical loads to the interstate transmission system. The proposal would affect large commercial and industrial facilities, utilities, transmission providers and large generators through changes to the Open Access Transmission Tariff, cost responsibilities for network improvements and interconnection processes.
Transmission Case on the 24-Hour Signing Agenda
The lone item on the 24-hour signing agenda pertained to the $260 million transmission line improvement project proposed by American Electric Power Company, covering Comanche, Stephens and Carter Counties.
Case Number: PUD2025-000069
Order Type: Motion RSO OKC
Parties: AEP Oklahoma Transmission Company Inc (Applicant)
Relief In Caption:
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF AEP OKLAHOMA TRANSMISSION COMPANY, INC. FOR
A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY PERMITTING IT TO
REBUILD ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILITIES LOCATED
IN CARTER, COMANCHE, AND STEPHENS COUNTIES
Full Meeting Notice and Agenda (NO OMISSIONS)
3:30 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025
Place: Concourse Theater, Suite C50, Will Rogers Memorial Office Building, 2401 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
The Concourse Theater is in the tunnel between the Will Rogers Memorial Office Building and the Sequoyah Memorial Office Building in the Capitol Complex.
Purpose: Conducting of daily business enumerated in the items below
Full Agenda as Published
I.
A. Call to order
B. Announcement concerning public notice
C. Determination of quorum
II.
Consideration of and possible vote(s) on proposed or potential orders in cases on attached 24-hour signing agenda docket.
The Commission may discuss and consider alterations, revisions, or amendments to the proposed or potential orders.
(Votes may be taken on individual cases on the 24-hour signing agenda docket as a whole, or both by individual cases and the remaining docket.)
III.
A. Discussion of the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANOPR”) issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“FERC”), in Docket No. RM26-4-000, Interconnection of Large Load to the Interstate Transmission System
B. Discussion and possible vote(s) on a proposed letter and/or written comments in response to the FERC ANOPR, and/or any alterations, revisions, or amendments thereto proposed at the meeting
IV.
Adjournment