Current Status
Petitions for review of Order Nos. 1920, 1920-A, and 1920-B are consolidated in Appalachian Voices v. FERC, No. 24-1650(L) (4th Cir.). Oral argument occurred on September 15, 2026. The court has not yet issued a merits decision. Meanwhile, FERC has granted region-specific compliance extensions, and most transmission planning regions have submitted their initial compliance filings, which remain pending before the Commission.
Why it Matters
In Order No. 1920, FERC found that the absence of long-term, forward-looking, and comprehensive transmission planning resulted in insufficient regional transmission development. New transmission had been developed primarily through uncoordinated processes run by individual utilities or in response to requests from power plant developers to connect to the transmission network. As a result, transmission development has been inefficient, and consumers are paying more than is necessary or appropriate to address their transmission needs.
Order No. 1920 directs utilities and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO) to produce long-term regional transmission plans that consider expected changes in the nation’s power supply mix, demand growth, and extreme weather. Plans must be based on at least three plausible scenarios of the regional power sector’s development. Each transmission project in the plan must pencil out under a benefit-cost test that considers seven benefits of new transmission specified in the rule. Order No. 1920 requires each RTO or other utility alliance to propose to FERC how it will comply with the rule by June 11, 2025.
New transmission is critical to ensuring that electricity from new generators, which may be located far from densely populated areas, can be delivered to communities and industries.
Timeline
Sep. 15, 2026 Oral argument occurred before the Fourth Circuit in Appalachian Voices v. FERC.
Aug. 29, 2025 Petitioners file opening merits briefs in Appalachian Voices v. FERC, No. 24-1650(L) (4th Cir.). State, public interest, developer, and transmission-owner petitioners present challenges running in both directions, as some seek vacatur or narrowing; others argue the rule does not go far enough.
Apr. 11, 2025 FERC issued Order No. 1920-B, affirming its long-term transmission planning rule. The rehearing order addresses certain arguments raised in rehearing requests.
Nov. 21, 2024 FERC issued Order No. 1920-A, affirming its long-term transmission planning rule. The rehearing order addresses certain arguments raised in rehearing requests, strengthening the role of state regulators in the planning process. The case is currently being held in abeyance until FERC responds to rehearing requests of Order 1920-A.
Aug. 26, 2024 The Fourth Circuit granted a request from FERC to hold the consolidated cases concerning Order No. 1920 in abeyance until the Commission’s review of the rule is complete. Appalachian Voices v. FERC, No. 24-1650 (4th Cir).
Aug. 8, 2024 Requests for judicial review of Order No. 1920 were consolidated before the Fourth Circuit. Appalachian Voices et al. v. FERC, No. 24-1650 (4th Cir.).
July 15, 2024 By operation of law, FERC denied various parties’ request for rehearing of Order No. 1920.
May 13, 2024 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published a final rule, “Building the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation,” which addresses how transmission providers must conduct long-term regional planning and cost allocation procedures. 89 FR 49280.