# ERCOT Starts the Batch Zero Paper Clock. Energization Still Frozen

HD Intelligence Desk · Brief · September 14, 2026

## What Happened

On September 9 at 5:58 p.m., ERCOT issued Market Notice M-A090926-01: Batch Zero Verification Requests for Information to a majority of Interconnecting Large Load Entities whose loads are conditionally included in Batch Zero, with more RFIs going out through month-end. Complete responses — supporting documents and notarized attestations from the load, the interconnecting TSP, and the interconnecting DSP — are due in RIOO within 10 business days of issuance, with one extension of no more than 5 business days on request. Failure to answer completely, or to satisfy verification, excludes the load from Batch Zero. The freeze on ≥75 MW computational load still runs to the December 10 audit filing; a separate community-impact RFI has not issued. On September 11 the PUCT approved the 370-mile Howard-Solstice 765 kV CCN (Docket 59336), pending landowner routing. Project 58481, the ≥75 MW interconnection rule, was Item 24 the same day; no adopted-order filing was located on Interchange through September 13.

## Why It Matters

This is the audit running, not a second freeze. The 10-day clock is how Batch Zero culls paper: site control and posted security, sworn, or a later study cycle. We hold ERCOT at A-. Time-to-power is still gated on December 10; the same shock is not cut twice. Trend stays down because the exclusion clock is now live and the freeze is intact. A CCN is steel for Permian import. It is not Batch Zero eligibility and not energization. Henry Hub spot printed $2.81/MMBtu on September 9, still below $3.

## The rest of the board

SPP filed ER26-3685 on September 2 to clarify Conditional High Impact Large Load policy; comments are due September 23. The CHILL path is still open. We hold B+. MISO's Zero Injection GIA comments landed September 8: Google, Xcel, and a utility group in support; Sierra Club and NRDC opposed. The Interconnection Reliability Requirements filing (ER26-3650) has comments due September 18. That is process, not reserve margin. Hold C. FERC has not ordered PJM's Reliability Backstop Procurement (ER26-3380) or IRAS. The September 30 bid window is still contingent on a September 29 order. Hold D; trend down on the calendar, not a new cost-shift print. CAISO slipped the large-load draft final proposal and draft tariff language to September 24; Board of Governors still October 28. Hold C+.

## Sources

1. [ERCOT Market Notice M-A090926-01 — Issuance of Batch Zero Verification Requests for Information, Sep 9 2026](https://www.ercot.com/services/comm/mkt_notices/M-A090926-01)
2. [ERCOT Demands Sworn Data Center Proof or Loss of Place — The Texas Dispatch, Sep 13 2026](https://thetexasdispatch.com/ercot-batch-zero-verification-rfi-data-centers-september-9/)
3. [ERCOT Batch Zero Update — PUCT, Sep 11 2026](https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2026/09/11/14-Batch-Zero-Update.pdf)
4. [After public pressure, Texas OKs more 765 lines — The Texas Tribune (via KRGV), Sep 11 2026 (PUCT Docket 59336)](https://www.krgv.com/news/after-public-pressure-texas-oks-more-765-lines-directing-companies-to-work-with-landowners/)
5. [PUCT Interchange, Project 58481 — Large Load Interconnection Standards (no adopted order located through Sep 13)](https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/Search/Filings?ControlNumber=58481)
6. [SPP §205 filing ER26-3685 — Revisions to Clarify the Conditional High Impact Large Load Policy, Sep 2 2026 (comments Sep 23)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/08/2026-18229/combined-notice-of-filings-1)
7. [Google, Xcel, others back MISO's 'zero injection' large-load proposal — Utility Dive, Sep 9 2026](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/google-xcel-miso-zero-injection-large-load-ferc/829912/)
8. [MISO ER26-3650 — Interconnection Reliability Requirements for Large Loads, filed Aug 28 2026 (comments Sep 18)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/03/2026-18035/combined-notice-of-filings-1)
9. [PJM Answer, Docket ER26-3380-000 — Reliability Backstop Procurement, Sep 10 2026](https://www.pjm.com/-/media/DotCom/documents/ferc/filings/2026/20260910-er26-3380-000.pdf)
10. [CAISO Large Loads initiative — draft final proposal posting Sep 24, Board of Governors Oct 28](https://stakeholdercenter.caiso.com/RecurringStakeholderProcesses/Large-loads)
11. [Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price — FRED / EIA, $2.81/MMBtu on Sep 9 2026](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DHHNGSP)

HTML: https://hyperscapedigital.com/news/ercot-starts-batch-zero-paper-clock