Washington, D.C. — The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC) applauds today’s announcement by the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission identifying more than 125 anti-competitive federal regulations for rescission or reform. This announcement follows President Trump’s Executive Order on Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers and represents a historic step toward strengthening market competition and lowering costs for American consumers.

The DOJ and FTC’s comprehensive, government-wide review recognized that outdated regulations often protect entrenched interests while blocking new entrants and stifling innovation. ETCC has long argued that this is especially true in the electricity transmission sector, where state laws and right-of-first-refusal (ROFR) policies unfairly shield incumbents from competition, driving up costs for ratepayers.

“We are encouraged by DOJ and FTC’s announcement and we are hopeful that regulations that prevent competition in building new transmission is included in the list.” said Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition. “Transmission is one of the biggest drivers of electricity prices. By removing anti-competitive barriers, policymakers can open the door to competition, lower rates, and deliver significant savings to American families and businesses.”

While the specific list of regulations identified by DOJ and FTC has not been released, ETCC is encouraged by the agencies’ clear commitment to addressing the structural barriers that have long disadvantaged consumers.

“Competition works,” Paul Cicio added. “FERC’s mandate is to provide reliable and affordable power; electricity transmission competition is how they can deliver that for Americans.”

Electricity prices are up for all Americans with rate increases double the rate of the Consumer Price Indx; transmission is the biggest driver of the cost hikes. In the PJM, the nation’s largest RTO network, transmission costs have risen as a percentage of the price of electricity from 7% to 34% in ten years.

In a statement, Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition, said: “The rise in electricity prices isn’t a short-term phenomenon it’s a long-term trend and FERC must do something about it. FERC’s failure to ensure that new transmission projects are competitively bid has given incumbent utilities unchecked market power to raise electricity prices. Only about 5 percent of transmission projects nationwide are competitive. Competitively bid transmission projects have saved consumers up to 40 percent.”  

“Across America, families, farmers, and business owners are facing soaring utility bills creating a new cost of living crisis. President Trump supports removing regulations that result in higher consumer energy costs. This is a perfect example of a regulatory failure impacting consumers. As an example, PJM, the nation’s largest RTO network, transmission costs have risen as a percentage of the price of electricity from 7% to 34% in ten years.”