WASHINGTON, DC – The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC), which represents 75 diverse consumer organizations, has sent letters to the Chairman and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees, calling on them to embrace electricity transmission competition, as was intended under FERC Order 1000. Competition can reduce costs by 25 percent and increase innovation. The letter requests a hearing that would allow consumers to explain needed changes to the FERC NOPR and their benefits.

These letters come in the wake of the recently released Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed rule at the Commission’s April 21 meeting, which rejects competition and protects incumbent utility monopolies from competition, instead of protecting captive consumers who are already facing rising inflation and energy prices. Nationwide, from 2014 to 2020, RTO/ISO transmission costs increased by $74.9 billion, or 79 percent, while electricity demand was flat.

“Incumbent electric utilities who oppose transmission competition would have you believe that electricity electrons stop at a state’s border. The vast majority of transmission is in interstate commerce and that is why it is subject to federal jurisdiction and why action is needed to ensure that consumers benefit from competition and lower costs,” the letter continued.

The ETCC urges FERC to require that all electricity transmission projects that are 100 kV or larger be competitively bid.

You can read the full Senate letter here and the House letter here.

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 70 companies and organizations from all 50 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