Infocast’s Transmission & Interconnection Summit 2026

Troutman Pepper Locke is a proud Gold Sponsor of Infocast’s Transmission & Interconnection Summit 2026, a leading forum bringing together key stakeholders to address the grid impacts of unprecedented load growth and regulatory change. With new data centers alone driving an estimated $1.1 trillion in transmission investment, the conference will focus on how long-term planning, cost allocation reforms, queue management improvements, permitting strategies, and grid-enhancing technologies can support the energy transition while maintaining reliability and managing customer impacts across regions, including the Western Interconnection.

About the Summit

The Transmission & Interconnection Summit convenes a cross-section of industry and policy leaders, including:

• Policymakers and regulators
• Transmission owners and operators
• RTO/ISO leaders
• Large-load customers
• Investors and developers

Participants will explore how evolving regulatory frameworks, regional coordination, and technological innovation can modernize the grid and facilitate large-scale transmission buildout.

Easing Transmission Challenges in the West

Troutman Pepper Locke Partner Chris Jones will moderate the panel, “Easing Transmission Challenges in the West – Impacts of New Reforms and Regional Collaboration,” on June 24 at 11:00 a.m. ET.

This panel will examine transmission needs in the Western Interconnection, with a focus on:

• The role of CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM)
• SPP’s Western Energy Imbalance Service Market (WEIS)
• WECC-wide transmission planning efforts
• WestTEC 10- and 20-year transmission studies
• Lessons from the SunZia project for regional collaboration

The discussion will highlight how these initiatives can enhance coordination on planning, permitting, cost allocation, and interconnection across the West.

Cost Allocation & New Tariff Structures

Troutman Pepper Locke Counsel Anne Dailey will moderate the panel, “Cost Allocation & New Tariff Structures — Avoiding Rate Increases and Customer Blowback,” on June 24 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

This session will take a deep dive into:

• Who pays for the forthcoming transmission buildout
• Incentive structures for transmission developers
• How FERC Order No. 1920’s cost allocation processes may unlock regional projects
• Strategies to mitigate rate shock and customer backlash

The panel will explore how thoughtful cost allocation and tariff design can balance investment needs with customer protections and regulatory expectations.