MISO members haven’t landed on easy answers in getting the approximately 54 GW of unfinished generation that has cleared the interconnection queue online sooner.

The MISO Board of Directors approved a landmark, 24-project, mostly 765-kV collection of transmission lines and facilities for the RTO’s Midwest region at a cost of $21.8 billion.

MISO reaffirmed its commitment to its second, $25 billion long-range transmission portfolio while stakeholders asked the RTO to be mindful of river crossings and whether it may reassign developers for the first LRTP portfolio’s projects in Iowa.

MISO’s conceptual, $20 billion, 765-kV transmission suggestion took top billing at Board Week, with some members asserting MISO has even more transmission to plan if it wants to meet the future confidently.

MISO said it’s on track this year to map out the new transmission lines it will require under the second portfolio of its long-range transmission plan to keep the grid stable.

MISO’s 2022 transmission planning portfolio cleared its first vote before board members, though some stakeholders have lodged complaints over the package.

MISO's Board Week touched on its 2021 Transmission Expansion Plan, long-range transmission portfolio and a joint study with SPP intended to build transmission.

MISO execs say long-term transmission and a capacity market redesign are a must in response to rising climate risks and fleet change.

MISO executives issued dire warnings about the possible fallout if the grid operator doesn’t pursue big ticket transmission projects in its footprint.

Two market efficiency projects approved by MISO face continued obstacles, while two others slated for inclusion in MTEP 19 must wait longer for approval.