Interconnection Rules Development

In 2018, the Commission began the process of updating its existing Electric Interconnection and Net Metering Standards by issuing an order in Case No. U-20344 which established a stakeholder process to explore promulgating new rules for third-party and customer-owned resources’ interconnection with the electric distribution grid. A draft set of interconnection rules was developed by the MPSC Staff with stakeholder input. On March 17, 2022, the Commission issued an order and approving the Michigan Interconnection and Distributed Generation rules (MIXDG Rules). The MIXDG rules became effective on April 25, 2023 recinding the previous Electric Interconnection and Net Metering Standards which also transitions utility filing from Case No. U-15787 to Case No. U-20890 going forward. Details about the development of the MIXDG Rules are provided below.

Actions to Date

The MIXDG rules were filed with the Office of the Great Seal and became effective on April 25, 2023.
On April 24, 2023 the Commission issued order in case No. U-20890 approving the MPSC Interconnection and Distributed Generation (MIXDG Rules) and providing their submission to the Legislative Service Bureau and the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearing and Rules for their formal approvals.
On May 26, 2022, the Commission issued an order in case No. U-20890 providing information on how to participate in a second public hearing and provide written comments on the proposed Interconnection and Distributed Generation Standards (MIXDG Rules). The proposed MIXDG Rules are attached to the order.
On May 12, 2022, The Commission issued an order in Case No. U-20890 granting rehearing and stating that it intends to provide members of the public with a second opportunity to comment on the proposed Interconnection and Distributed Generation Standards (MIXDG Rules).The Commission intends to issue an order on May 26, 2022, providing information on how to participate in a second public hearing and provide written comments. The rules previously approved by the Commission are attached to the order issued March 17, 2022 in Case No. U-20890 .
On March 17, 2022, The Commission issued an order in Case No. U-20890 approving the MPSC Interconnection and Distributed Generation (MIXDG Rules) and providing for their submission to the legislative Service Bureau and the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules for their formal approvals.
On March 3, 2022, an order was issued in Case No. U-21117 to set the new dates of April 14, 2022 and May 17, 2022 for the electric utility interconnection procedures collaborative.
The Public Hearing to receive public comments on the proposed rules was held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 9 am in the Lake Michigan Hearing Room at the Michigan Public Service Commission Offices. The public hearing was also be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Comments on the proposed rules could be made at the hearing or by mail or electronic mail as further described in the Notice of Public Hearing.
On September 9, 2021, a related order was issued in Case No. U-21117 to commence a collaborative for the development of electric utility interconnection procedures.
Commission Staff have prepared interconnection process flow charts to help describe some of the processes included in the proposed rules.
Overview
Application Process
Simplified Track
Non-Export Track
Fast Track
Fast Track Supplemental Review
Study Track Individual Processing
On September 9, 2021 the Commission issued an order in Case No. U-20890 for providing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed MIXDG (M for Michigan, IX for Interconnection, and DG for the distributed generation portion of the rules) at a public hearing on October 20, 2021. Written comments may be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2021. More details are provided in the order.
Staff's first draft issued August 28, 2019 draft proposed ruleset.
- Stakeholder comments received on September 30, 2019 | ABATE | Circle Power Letter | Circle Power | Consumers Energy Letter | Consumers Energy | Doug Houseman | DTE Energy Letter | DTE Energy | Ecology Center/ELPC/Vote Solar Letter | Ecology Center/ELPC/Vote Solar | MECA | MEGA | MIEIBC | Next Era | Pine Gate Renewables | Power Home | Xcel
- Statewide Energy Assessment Review (U-20464 - Recommendation E-4)
Second draft issued February 28, 2020 Draft Interconnection DGLNM LEO Rules- Written comments are requested by the end of the day on Friday, May 1, 2020. Please email your comments and redlined rules documents to evansn@michigan.gov and baldwinj2@michigan.gov. All comments and redlined rules documents will be posted on each stakeholder website.
- Commission Staff's second draft issued February 28, 2020 Draft Interconnection DGLNM LEO Rules
- Stakeholder comments received on May 1, 2020 | Consumers 1 | Consumers 2 | Consumers 3 | DTE Energy 1 | DTE Energy 2 | DTE Energy 3 | EIBC 1 | EIBC 2 | EIBC 3 | ELPC 1 | ELPC 2 | Energy Storage Association | MEGA 1 | MEGA 2 | MI Conservative | NextEra | Pine Gate 1 | Pine Gate 2
The rulemaking process for the proposed Interconnection and Distributed Generation Standards(MIXDG Rules - M for Michigan, IX for interconnection, and DG for the distributed generation portion of the rules) has reached the point where a Notice of Public Hearin g, scheduled for October 20, 2021, has been approved.
The Commission issued an order in Case No. U-20344 directing Commission Staff to initiate a stakeholder process with the purpose of gathering input to assist Commission Staff with updating the Commission's Electric Interconnection and Net Metering Standards. (R 460.601a - R 460.656) The Standards are applicable to all rate-regulated and cooperative utilities and last revised in 2009.

The order directs Commission Staff to consider interconnection request procedures, timelines and queue management; required interconnection studies; cost responsibility; safety and technical specifications. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) small generator interconnection procedures, FERC Order 841 issued on February 15, 2018 related to energy storage facilities, microgrids, IEEE 1547-2018 standards, and best practices among states should be considered.

Interconnection Stakeholder Sessions

April 14, 2022 (TELECONFERENCE ONLY)

June 20, 2019

May 30, 2019

May 6, 2019

March 19, 2019

February 19, 2019

January 10, 2019

December 7, 2018

Agenda | MPSC Rulemaking | Stakeholder Process | Minnesota Interconnection Overview

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