Five New England Consumer Advocates Tell FERC Eversource

Five New England consumer advocates, alongside Eversource Energy, filed a complaint at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on May 12, 2026, alleging Eversource misclassified its $385 million X-178 transmission project as an “asset management project” to circumvent the scrutiny applied to Regional System Plan transmission additions.

What Was Misclassified

The complaint centers on Eversource’s classification of the X-178 project, a 49-mile transmission line reconstruction through New Hampshire’s White Mountains involving 594 structures. Consumer advocates point to ISO-NE rules, specifically Section II of the tariff, which they argue limit asset management classification to facilities “damaged or destroyed” and permit restoration only to “substantially the same condition, character or use.” A February 2024 Eversource presentation indicated less than 10% of the structures exhibited more than minimal defects.

Why It Matters

This dispute has significant financial implications for ratepayers. New England has already seen $6.6 billion in “asset condition projects” installed, with an additional $5.2 billion projected through 2033. These costs are passed to consumers through formula rates, which critics argue lack construction cost discipline. The Maine Office of the Public Advocate stated that costs for asset condition projects are added to consumer bills without the project review process applied to other large transmission additions.

Enforcement Reality

FERC’s potential actions include requiring Eversource to reclassify the project. This complaint surfaces concurrently with FERC’s ongoing $1.5 billion refund proceeding concerning New England transmission owners’ Return on Equity formula. The outcome hinges on ISO-NE’s Transmission Planning Process and whether the X-178 line meets the tariff’s definition of “damaged or destroyed.” A proper classification could trigger the competitive solicitation requirements mandated by FERC Order 1000 for regional transmission planning.

Critical Perspective

Eversource has responded to the complaint, asserting it is based on “outdated information” and a “misreading of ISO-NE’s rules.” The company stated it will address the allegations in its formal FERC response. The core question remains whether reclassifying the X-178 project from asset management to regional transmission planning will alter the ultimate cost exposure for New England ratepayers.

Related Coverage

• FERC Order 904 Eliminates Reactive Power Payments Across U.S. Grid by June 2026: FERC Order 904 impacts grid payments, relevant to Eversource’s complaint
• FERC Order 904 Kills Reactive Power Payments: FERC Order 904’s impact on reactive power payments
• FERC Order 904 Ends Generator Pay: FERC Order 904 ends generator pay, affecting grid economics
• D.C. Circuit Vacates FERC Approval: D.C. Circuit vacates FERC approval, potentially impacting grid projects