In February, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) published the “2025 Transmission Planning and Development Report Card: Assessing Progress and Shortfalls as Demand Accelerates Nationwide.”

We looked at the first part of the report in the last energy blog. Here, we look at the rest of the report.

For the evaluation, the Report Card combines qualitative metrics (regional and interregional planning and engagement best practices) with quantitative outcomes (including recently constructed high-capacity transmission, planned transmission projects, and congestion). The evaluation assesses performance at the regional level rather than assigning responsibility to any single institution. This practice recognizes that outcomes reflect the actions of multiple entities, including regional planning organizations, utilities, states, and other stakeholders. Grades are best interpreted as a benchmark against established best practices rather than a definitive verdict, since any grading framework cannot be completely objective.

Regions across the country are generally making progress on planned high-capacity regional transmission, which is encouraging but not yet decisive. Many regions have planned regional transmission capacity broadly consistent with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2023 National Transmission Needs Study. However, load growth projections have risen since that study was released, resulting in lower targets than what will actually be needed if load growth forecasts are correct. Additionally, significant siting, permitting, and implementation challenges remain, particularly for interregional projects, and could affect whether planned investments are ultimately delivered.

To earn an overall “A,” regions need to incorporate the following best practices into regional and interregional planning process that considers regional needs holistically: proactive 20-year load and generation forecasts, robust scenario analysis including extreme weather, multi-value benefits analysis, portfolio development, consideration of all business models and Advanced Transmission Technologies, integration with other planning processes, and durable selection and cost allocation frameworks. Regions must also have representation from states and incorporation of state policies, robust engagement with stakeholders, and plan for and build transmission at the necessary pace.

Here are the ratings/grades:

California/CAISO: A- (up from B last year)

Midwest/MISO: B (same as last year)

New England/ISO NE: B (up from D+ last year)

Plains/SPP: B- (up from C+ last year)

New York/NYISO: B- (up from C+ last year)

MidAtlantic/PJM: C (up from D+ last year)

Southwest/WestConnect: C- (up from D- last year)

Northwest/Northern Grid: D+ (up from D last year)

Texas/ERCOT: D- (down from D+ last year)

Southeast/SERTP, SCRTP, FRCC: F (same as last year)

Taken together, the Report Card finds that regional transmission planning reforms related to Order No. 1920 are beginning to take hold, and that early progress is visible in several regions. However, accelerating demand growth and persistent weaknesses in interregional planning mean that incremental improvements alone will not be sufficient.

Future Report Cards will be able to assess whether planned projects are built, whether voluntary interregional efforts mature into durable planning frameworks, and whether regions with lower grades are able to translate state and utility-level activity into comprehensive, region-scale outcomes that meet emerging system needs.