By Not Advancing SB 481/AB 470, Two Anti-Consumer ROFR Bills, Wisconsin Remains Open to Competitive Bidding of New Electric Transmission Projects

WASHINGTON – The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC) welcomed the decision by the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate to not take action on AB 470 or SB 481, two anti-consumer Right of First Refusal (ROFR) bills. These anti-transmission competition pieces of legislation pushed by incumbent electric utilities are just two of the most recent harmful, anti-consumer ROFR bills that have been introduced across the country to pad the pockets of utilities and increase electricity costs for consumers.

In a statement, Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition, said: “Wisconsin lawmakers made the right decision to not take action on these anti-competitive pieces of legislation. These harmful bills would prevent expensive transmission projects from being competitively bid thereby increasing electricity costs for decades to come, harming Wisconsin consumers and businesses. We encourage lawmakers to continue embracing electricity transmission competition.”  

Organizations supporting transmission competition include:  

• AARP
• Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
• American Economic Liberties Project
• Americans for Prosperity
• Americans for Tax Reform
• Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin
• Clean Wisconsin
• Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition
• Glass Packaging Institute
• Industrial Energy Consumers of America
• Midwest Food Products Association
• Quad
• R Street Institute
• Wisconsin Cast Metals Association
• Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group
• Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty

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About the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition

The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC) is a broad-based, nation-wide coalition committed to increasing competition in America’s electricity transmission infrastructure. We advocate for common-sense policies and solutions that result in competitively priced transmission projects, which reduce energy costs for all ratepayers – from large manufacturers to residential consumers. The ETCC represents a diverse group of more than 80 companies and organizations from 48 states, including manufacturing groups, retail electric consumers, state consumer advocates, public power representatives, think tanks, and non-incumbent transmission developers.

For more information, visit: www.electricitytransmissioncompetitioncoalition.org.

Press Contact:
Julian Graham
jgraham@signaldc.com