Load Forecasting Enhancement Act

Key Points

• The bill requires FERC to create regional joint boards within 90 days of enactment to study how utilities predict future electricity demand. Every state would be included in a region, with each state utility commission getting a representative on its regional board.
• The boards will study a wide range of issues including how demand forecasting affects electricity costs, grid reliability, data transparency, and stakeholder involvement. They will also examine whether large industrial customers like data centers have actually put up the money before utilities start building new infrastructure for them.
• FERC must publish a report to Congress within one year with best practices and recommendations for consistent use of those practices by electric utilities across states. The joint boards dissolve the day after the report is submitted.
• The bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) to create a new federal standard requiring utilities to incorporate FERC's forecasting recommendations. State regulators must begin considering this standard within one year and complete their review within two years.
• State energy conservation plans under existing law would be updated to include procedures for improving the accuracy, oversight, and transparency of electric load forecasting by utilities.