NOTICE DATE: September 9, 2026

NOTICE TYPE: M-A090926-01 Legal

SHORT DESCRIPTION: Issuance of Batch Zero Verification Requests for Information

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Interconnecting Large Load Entities, Transmission and/or Distribution Service Providers, and all other Market Participants

DAYS AFFECTED: September 9, 2026

LONG DESCRIPTION: As described in Market Notice M-A080326-01, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) on August 3, 2026 to conduct a verification and audit of data center projects advancing through ERCOT's interconnection process before those projects are permitted to advance. 

In accordance with this directive, ERCOT has begun issuing Batch Zero Verification Requests for Information (RFIs) to a majority of Interconnecting Large Load Entities (ILLEs) with a Large Load that has been conditionally included in Batch Zero.  ERCOT will continue to send RFIs out through the end of the month to other Large Loads, including Large Loads conditionally included in Batch Zero under Planning Guide Section 9.2.1.1(1)(c) and (d), Large Loads subject to the process in Section 9.3.1(2), and Large Loads for which ERCOT grants a dispute under Protocol Section 20.

The Interconnecting Transmission Service Provider (TSP) will receive a separate RFI for each Large Load subject to an RFI.  ERCOT will send the RFI to a primary contact designated by the Interconnecting TSP through a new purpose-built communication interface in ERCOT's Resource Integration and Ongoing Operations (RIOO) web-based platform.  The Interconnecting TSP will then need to designate one or more points of contact for the ILLE and, if different, the Interconnecting Distribution Service Provider (Interconnecting DSP). The Interconnecting TSP, the ILLE, and, if applicable, the Interconnecting DSP will each be responsible for completing the questions identified for that party.  ERCOT plans to publish a user guide that provides additional instructions for the RFI portal in RIOO.

Complete responses, including all required supporting documentation and notarized attestations from the ILLE, the Interconnecting TSP, and the Interconnecting DSP, must be submitted through RIOO no later than 10 Business Days following issuance of the RFI.  An ILLE may request an extension of no more than 5 Business Days by sending an email to LargeLoadVerification@ercot.com.

ERCOT may issue additional RFIs seeking clarification or additional supporting information in connection with its review of the RFI response.  ERCOT will provide a deadline by which a response to each additional RFI must be provided. 

ERCOT will notify the Interconnecting TSP for the ILLE when it has determined that the Large Load is eligible for inclusion in Batch Zero.  Successful completion of the verification process is a condition for the Large Load's inclusion in Batch Zero.  Failure to timely provide a complete response to any ERCOT RFI or failure to otherwise satisfy the verification requirements will result in the Large Load being excluded from ERCOT's Batch Zero interconnection process.

ERCOT will host a Webex on Friday, September 11, 2026, to provide training on the use of the RIOO tool.  More information about the Webex is posted on the ERCOT Meeting Calendar. 

ERCOT will issue a separate RFI to collect information about the state and community impacts of data centers.  ERCOT will issue a Market Notice when it issues that RFI.

ACTION REQUIRED: Each Interconnecting TSP must enter contact information in RIOO for the appropriate ILLE and Interconnecting DSP for each Large Load that has been conditionally classified in Batch Zero and must coordinate with the ILLE and the Interconnecting DSP to submit a complete response through RIOO by the deadline stated above.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ERCOT has posted the questions for each interconnection path in the Batch Zero Verification RFI, along with the user guide and other relevant information, to the Large Load Integration webpage. Questions regarding the RFI or verification process should be submitted to LargeLoadVerification@ercot.com.

CONTACT: For technical issues accessing or using the RFI portal in RIOO, or questions about how to complete and submit RFI responses in the tool, Interconnecting TSPs and DSPs and ILLEs should contact ERCOT Service Desk at ServiceDesk@ercot.com or contact ERCOT Client Services at (512) 248-3900 or email ClientServices@ercot.com.

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