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Independent regulatory commissions

Benton Solar, LLC Seeks Exempt Wholesale Generator Status for 100 MW Solar Facility

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Benton Solar, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, has submitted a self-certification notice to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, seeking to be recognized as an exempt wholesale generator (EWG) of a 100 MW solar photovoltaic generating facility in Benton County, Minnesota. The facility will interconnect to the Great River Energy transmission system within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. balancing authority area. As an EWG, Benton Solar plans to sell electric energy at wholesale, as well as engage in incidental activities such as trading emission allowances and selling "green" power certificates or credits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Benton Solar, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company seeking EWG status for its 100 MW solar facility in Benton County, Minnesota.
  • The facility will interconnect to the Great River Energy transmission system and sell electric energy at wholesale, as well as trade emission allowances and sell "green" power certificates or credits.
  • As an EWG, Benton Solar will not own or control transmission, except for interconnection facilities necessary to connect the facility to the transmission system.
  • The company will make the following representations to certify its EWG status: direct and exclusive engagement in wholesales of electric energy, no transmission or distribution facilities other than interconnection facilities, no retail sales, and no leasing arrangements that violate exclusivity requirements.
  • The facility satisfies the definition of Eligible Facilities under Section 32(a)(2) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
  • The facility will be used for the generation of electric energy exclusively for sale at wholesale, with no rate or charge under state laws in effect on October 24, 1992.

Statistics:

  • 100 MW: The capacity of the solar photovoltaic generating facility.
  • Benton County, Minnesota: The location of the facility.
  • Great River Energy transmission system: The transmission system to which the facility will interconnect.
  • 10.55%: The percentage of publicly traded shares in NextEra Energy, Inc. held by The Vanguard Group Inc. as of the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Sources:

  • Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, enacted pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, SSSS 1261-77, Pub. L. No. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594 (2005).
  • Section 366.7, 18 C.F.R. § 366.7 (2024) of the regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("Commission").
  • Docket No. EC19-57-002, Quarterly Compliance Filing for Q1 of 2025.
  • 186 FERC P 61,137, VESI 12, LLC (2025).
  • UGI Development Co., 89 FERC P 61,192 (1999).
  • Madison Windpower, LLC, 93 FERC P 61,270 (2000).

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