3.9 Study Procedures For New Load or Large Facility Interconnections To The NYS Power System

3.9.1 Request for Interconnection Study: 

Any Eligible Customer proposing to interconnect its Load or Large Facility with the NYS Power System shall submit its interconnection proposal to the ISO.  The ISO, in cooperation with the Transmission Owner with whose system the Eligible Customer proposes to interconnect, shall perform technical studies to determine whether the proposed interconnection may degrade system reliability or adversely affect the operation of the NYS Power System.  The technical studies shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in Section 3.9.2.  The proposed interconnection shall not proceed if the ISO concludes in the study that the proposed interconnection may degrade system reliability or adversely affect the operation of the NYS Power System.  If the proposal is rejected, the ISO shall provide in writing the reasons why the proposal was rejected.

3.9.2 Study Procedures: 

Upon receipt of the interconnection proposal and a written guarantee by the Eligible Customer to pay all costs incurred by the ISO and Transmission Owner(s) conducting the technical studies, the ISO, in cooperation with the Transmission Owner with whose system the Eligible Customer proposes to interconnect shall perform the technical studies of the proposed interconnection.  The ISO shall evaluate each Large Facility using the Interconnection Studies specified in the Large Facility Interconnection Procedures in Attachment X.  The technical studies shall address the following:

(i)3.9.2.1 An evaluation of the potential significant impacts of the proposed interconnection on NYS Power System reliability, at a level of detail that reflects the magnitude of the impacts and the reasonable likelihood of their occurrence;

(ii) 3.9.2.2 An evaluation of impacts of the proposed interconnection on system voltage, stability and thermal limitations, as prescribed in the Reliability Rules;

(iii) 3.9.2.3 An evaluation as to whether modifications to the NYS Power System would be required to maintain Interface transfer capability or comply with the voltage, stability and thermal limitations, as prescribed in the Reliability Rules.  The ISO will apply the criteria established by NERC, NPCC and the NYSRC;

(iv) 3.9.2.4 An evaluation of alternatives that would eliminate adverse reliability impacts, if any, resulting from the proposed interconnection; and

(v) 3.9.2.5 An estimate of the increase or decrease in the Total Transfer Capability across each affected Interface.

3.9.3 Operating Committee Approval

Upon the ISO’s issuance of a final draft study report, the Eligible Customer must proceed with its study report to the Transmission Planning Advisory Subcommittee (“TPAS”) of the ISO Operating Committee within three (3) months and to the next Operating Committee meeting following the TPAS review; provided, however, if the TPAS recommends revisions or supplements to the study report, the revised report must proceed to the next TPAS meeting following completion of such revisions, and to the next Operating Committee following the TPAS review of the revised study report.  Failure to proceed with its study report to the TPAS and Operating Committee within these time frames will result in withdrawal of the Study Request. 

3.9.4 Interconnection Agreements: 

After receiving the approval of the proposed interconnection, and after the Eligible Customer makes payment to the ISO and Transmission Owner for the cost of the technical studies, the Eligible Customer may elect to continue with the proposed interconnection by entering into an interconnection agreement with the Transmission Owner with whose system the Eligible Customer proposes to interconnect.  After completion of the Interconnection Facilities Study and Attachment S cost allocation process, the Developer of a Large Generating Facility may elect, in accordance with the Large Facility Interconnection Procedures in Attachment X, to continue with its proposed interconnection by entering into a Standard Large Generator Interconnection Agreement with the ISO and the Transmission Owner with whose system the Developer proposes to interconnect.

3.9.45 Interconnection Facilities Cost: 

The Developer of the proposed Large Facility shall be responsible for the cost of the facilities needed for its project to reliably interconnect to the New York State Power System, in accordance with the interconnection facilities cost allocation rules set out in Attachment S.