ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION COMPETITION COALITION
/ ABOUT
Electricity Transmission Project Competition Is Essential
The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC) is a nationwide alliance of manufacturers, consumer advocates, and businesses working to restore fair competition in America’s electricity transmission system. Competition is the most effective way to deliver affordable, reliable power and strengthen American energy independence.
Across the country, consumers, businesses, and policymakers agree: families and job creators deserve affordable electricity and accountability from monopoly utilities. ETCC unites more than 95 companies and organizations from all 50 states in calling for fair, open competition in transmission planning.
FERC Order 1000 requires open competition for new transmission projects, yet many monopoly utilities continue to avoid these rules through loopholes and exemptions. Strong enforcement of Order 1000 is essential to protect consumers, drive innovation, and prevent wasteful spending.
The continued expansion of electrification requires substantial investment in electric transmission, which represents the fastest growing cost for consumers – to the tune of $800B by 2035. ETCC believes that capital spending in the private sector should be done as efficiently as possible to minimize the impact of costs to consumers.
Studies show that the current level of competition in electric transmission has been limited, with only 5% of transmission projects subject to competition. Policymakers should reject policies that give preferential treatment to incumbent monopoly utilities.
/ FEATURED
Ratepayers Urge FERC to Reject Self Serving Anti-Competitive Utility Complaint Seeking Five-Year Transmission Competition Moratorium
/ THE CASE FOR COMPETITION
Competition Works
In an analysis of nineteen competitively bid projects, competition reduced costs
by an average of 38%.
Recent data from R Street underscores these figures, finding competition reduces costs by 30%.
38%
avg. ratepayer savings
/ THE COST OF NO COMPETITION
Monopolistic practices increase costs
In an analysis of fifteen projects bid without competitive processes, projects saw an average cost increase of 84%.
+84%
avg. ratepayer savings
/ WHAT’S AHEAD
Transmission costs to consumers are only growing
Transmissions competition is known to deliver 30% in savings. Imagine if 100% of projects going forward are competitively bid. With EEI estimating $138B in new transmission spending, these savings would be greater than $40B.
/ THE CASE FOR COMPETITION
Competition Works
38%
avg. ratepayer savings
/ THE COST OF NO COMPETITION
Monopolistic practices increase costs
In an analysis of fifteen project
bid without competitive processes, projects saw an average cost increase of 84%
+84%
avg. ratepayer savings
/ WHAT’S AHEAD
Transmission costs to consumers are only growing
Transmissions competition is known to deliver 30% in savings. Imagine if 100% of projects going forward are competitively bid. With EEI estimating $138B in new transmission spending, these savings would be greater than $40B.
/ WIDE SUPPORT
What People Are Saying
State commissions, federal agencies, trade associations, consumer groups, lawmakers, and environmental advocates agree that transmission competition is needed to ensure the creation of cost-effective and efficient transmission projects.
News & Resources
October 1, 2026
The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition is highlighting calls from state legislators and consumer advocates for greater competition in the development of electricity transmission infrastructure.
September 25, 2026
“Competition works. Competition lowers prices, increases innovation and economic value,” [Paul] Cicio said. Cicio cited studies from the ETCC showing 15 non-competitive projects had cost overruns averaging 84%, and a separate study from the R Street Institute, an independent think tank, showing competition leads to an overall cost reduction of about 30%.
September 16, 2026
“FERC’s attempt under Order 1920 to bestow monopoly rights on incumbents to upgrade the nation’s transmission system violates the Federal Power Act,” ETCC Chair Paul Cicio said in a statement. “Even if the court finds that FERC has authority to grant incumbents monopoly rights, FERC violated Section 206 of the Federal Power Act and the [Administrative Procedure Act] in exercising that authority.”
