The Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC) today released the following statement in response to the failure of Assembly Bill 892 to advance, which would have prevented electricity transmission project competition and led to higher electricity prices for Wisconsin businesses and households. The sponsors sought to implement a so-called right of first refusal (ROFR) law that would give the incumbent monopoly utility exclusive right to build any transmission project to the detriment of Wisconsin consumers. The bill expired after the state legislature adjourned.

“The defeat of AB 892 is a victory for Wisconsin businesses and families, who would have faced higher electricity prices if this bill had become law,” said Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition. “These multibillion-dollar transmission projects need to be competitively bid. Legislatures should not be protecting the incumbent utility from competition. Competition reduces costs and promotes innovation, which is critical to America’s energy transition and achieving net-zero carbon emission goals.”

The ETCC supports policies at the federal and state level that promote a competitive and transparent transmission planning and construction process. Independent research by the Brattle Group has found that transmission projects subjected to competition can have cost savings between 20% and 30%.

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