WASHINGTON – The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC) released the following statement in response to the introduction of S.F. No.1456[1] by State Senator Andrew Mathews (Senate District 27-R), S.F. No. 2297[2] by State Senator Jennifer A. McEwen (Senate District 08-DFL), and H.F. 2441[3] by Assistant Majority Leader Kaela Berg (House District 55B – DFL), which all eliminate anti-competitive provisions that favor the electricity transmission utility incumbent and harm Minnesota’s consumers. The existing Minnesota statute, a so-called state right of first refusal (ROFR) law, gives preferential treatment to the incumbent utility, restricting competition, and innovation and leading to higher electricity prices.

“The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition applauds the introduction of these bills and welcomes their advancement in the current 93^rd 2023-2024 Minnesota legislative session. The bipartisan repeal legislation opens up Minnesota’s electricity transmission to competition, lowering electricity prices for all Minnesotans, from large and small businesses to single-family households,” said Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition. “As we move to a more electrified society, competition is critical to America’s energy transition and economic prosperity.” 

The ETCC welcomes legislation at the federal and state level that promotes competition and transparency in the transmission planning and construction process. Research by the Brattle Group has found that competitive bidding results in an estimated 20 to 30 percent cost savings for transmission projects.