# US Grid Operators Advance Interregional Transfer & Transformer Sharing Frameworks under FERC Order 1920

> Major regional transmission organizations including PJM, MISO, and SPP have formalized joint coordination filings under FERC Order 1920, establishing 20-year forward-looking transmission planning metrics and a standardized high-voltage transformer spare-sharing compact.

- **Publish Date:** 2026-09-27
- **Category:** policy-standards
- **Reading Time:** 5 min
- **Original Source Citation:** [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) & Joint RTO Taskforce](https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/news/ferc-order-1920-regional-transmission-planning-updates)
- **Tags:** FERC Order 1920, PJM, MISO, SPP, Transmission Planning, Transformer Standards, Spare Transformer Sharing, Interregional Reliability, USA
- **Canonical URL:** https://voltformer.com/news/ferc-order-1920-pjm-miso-spp-interregional-transfer-capability-transformer-standards
- **Markdown Source:** https://voltformer.com/news/ferc-order-1920-pjm-miso-spp-interregional-transfer-capability-transformer-standards.md

## Reforming Long-Term 20-Year Grid Architecture

FERC Order No. 1920 marks the most substantial overhaul of US electric transmission planning in decades, mandating that grid operators evaluate multi-value economic, reliability, and extreme-weather benefits over a 20-year horizon. Following individual regional filings, PJM, MISO, and SPP are aligning interregional joint operating agreements (JOA).

The joint filings establish dynamic interregional transfer capability minimums designed to prevent winter storm grid emergencies like Uri and Elliott, requiring cross-border capacity expansions of between 30% and 50% along the Midwest-Mid-Atlantic seam.

## Strategic Transformer Standardization and Spare Compact

A landmark provision of the joint filing tackles the nationwide transformer procurement crisis. The RTOs have established a common engineering specification guideline for 345 kV, 500 kV, and 765 kV autotransformers and generator step-up (GSU) units.

By standardizing basic impulse levels (BIL), terminal bushing heights, winding impedances, and oil piping flanges, utilities across PJM and MISO can share a pooled strategic reserve of heavy power transformers, cutting emergency replacement delays from 36 months to under 14 days.

## State Engagement and Cost-Allocation Certainty

The framework integrates explicit state committee engagement periods, resolving historic cost-allocation disputes between generation-rich Midwestern states and demand-heavy coastal load zones.

With the final interregional filing deadline set for December 2026, the compact provides regulatory certainty for hundreds of billions of dollars in multi-state transmission line and substation capital investments.

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