WASHINGTON – Under a new proposal for a multi-state, long-range electricity transmission project, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is poised to spend $10.4 billion without the cost saving benefits of transmission competition. Competitively bid electricity transmission projects have been shown to reduce costs to consumers by 20-30 percent.

MISO is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that spans 15 American states and the Canadian province of Manitoba, providing electricity to an estimated 42 million people.

In a statement, Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition, said: “At a time of rising inflation, when electricity prices are outpacing the Consumer Price Index, the recent proposal by MISO is a dereliction of duty to the ratepayer that will pad the pockets of incumbent utilities and send American families and businesses the bill.

“Transmission competition could avoid an estimated $2.6 billion,” he continued. “Ratepayers have been suffering from rising electricity prices for years because of a lack of competition in transmission projects,” he continued. “Competition is a proven anti-inflationary measure and drives innovation in the marketplace. It’s Economics 101.”

In April, the Consumer Price Index had an increase of 8.3% on a 12-month adjusted basis, electricity price increases were 11%and utility gas service prices rose by 22.7%. In short, inflation in the energy sector is far outpacing inflation across the rest of the economy, and now MISO wants to make this worse.

For a $10.4 billion project, assuming a mid-range cost savings benefit of 25 percent from competition, this project could save $2.6 billion.

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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 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