Lawmakers in both chambers of the state Legislature have held hearings on a bill that is aimed at protecting Wisconsin’s power grid from becoming an inefficient patchwork of separate transmission line operators.

The bills were introduced in the state Senate last week by Senator Julian Bradley, R-Franklin; and in the Assembly by Representative Peterson, R-Waupaca. The bills would give the current transmission line companies in Wisconsin the right of first refusal (ROFR) to build new lines connecting to their existing infrastructure.

This would prevent out-of-state investors from coming in and building a patchwork of lines connecting to our existing system. It comes after the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) last year approved $10.3 billion in new transmission projects across the Midwest to help the transition to renewable energy.

The bill will boost grid reliability and protects the role of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in deciding who owns and operates transmission infrastructure rather than giving control to out-of-state regulators. American Transmission Co., or ATC, which owns and operates much of Wisconsin’s transmission line system, is supporting the bill. Xcel Energy, other state electric utilities and Wisconsin Utility Investors are also supporting the bill.

The groups opposing the bill include Clean Wisconsin, Americans for Prosperity, Citizens Utility Board and AARP. These groups argue that allowing out of state investors to bid on transmission projects would inject competition into the process and lower costs. However, the experience in states that have used this process has shown that virtually all of the low bid projects have experienced significant cost overruns and extensive delays that will wind up costing consumers more in the long run. As a result most of our surrounding states have adopted legislation similar to that proposed in Wisconsin with
bipartisan support.

All WUI members need to take time to contact their state Legislators and urge them to support this legislation (SB 481 and AB 470).

CALL >> 1-800-362-9472 to be directed to your legislators.
EMAIL >> Click Here to to find your legislators.

Previous Legislative Alert:  WUI's Legislative Alert was sent to members via email and mail to mobilize the voice of investors with elected officials.