NiSource’s full-year earnings totaled $198.6 million, compared with $256.2 million during 2014.

The threshold was identified as an obstacle to transmission projects that could ease constraints along the PJM-MISO seam.

MISO revealed yet another twist in its deliberations over two southern Indiana transmission projects, leading some stakeholders to question whether RTO officials are following their planning rules.

MISO and PJM have again narrowed a list of “quick hit” flowgate projects with the potential to relieve market-to-market congestion.

FERC has asked for comments on the pros and cons of six potential rule changes, proposed by NIPSCO, intended to push PJM and MISO to create cross-border transmission projects.

More than a decade after the MISO-PJM seam was formed, no cross-border projects have been approved and built, NIPSCO said.

FERC increased its pressure on PJM and MISO to resolve their longstanding boundary disputes, saying it was considering taking action “to improve the efficiency of operations” at the RTOs’ seam.

Fourth-quarter earnings of NIPSCO parent NiSource rose to $154.2 million ($0.49/share), up nearly 2% from $151.8 million ($0.48/share) a year ago.

FERC last week approved new rules governing how transmission customers can challenge formula rate filings by MISO transmission owners.

NIPSCO asked FERC to dismiss a complaint by two wind farm operators alleging they were overcharged by the utility for transmission upgrades.