While the bill in the Oklahoma legislature that started out as a ROFR measure sits in a Senate Committee, opponents of any Right of First Refusal bill across the country observe the defeat of such a bill in Iowa.
The Iowa legislature rejected the ROFR measure and Paul Cicio, chairman of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition called it a “victory for Iowa families and businesses.”
Both HF 2551 and SF 2372 were not approved in the legislature.
In a statement issued this week, he noted how Iowa joined a growing list of states that have rejected ROFR legislation and embraced the power of competition. He identified Oklahoma as one of them along with Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Montana and Kansas. However, the Oklahoma effort could still be on life support as it sits idly in a legislative committee.
“Across the country, state legislatures, judges, and governors are standing up for consumers to lower costs, and fight monopoly utility interests,” added Cicio.
“The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should do the same as they finalize their transmission planning rule next month.”
Oklahoma’s measure, HB4097 sits in a Senate Appropriations Committee where it was sent March 19 following approval in the House. No action has been taken on the measure that some have labeled a NOFR/ROFR bill.
House author, Rep. Trey Caldwell contended the measure was not a ROFR bill and would allow competitive bidding on construction projects for a utility’s major transmission line project. But it would also allow the utility to retain control of the project once it was completed.
Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition released the following statement in response to the defeat of Iowa HF 2551 & SF 2372:
“The defeat of this anti-consumer Right of First Refusal bill is a victory for Iowa families and businesses. The Iowa Courts have previously rejected the state’s ROFR, calling it unconstitutional and “crony capitalism”. This newest attempt by incumbent utilities to pass anti-consumer legislation and end-run the Iowa Courts has been rejected by the state’s legislature. Iowa joins a growing list of states that have rejected ROFR legislation and embraced the power of competition, including: Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Across the country, state legislatures, judges, and governors are standing up for consumers to lower costs, and fight monopoly utility interests. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should do the same as they finalize their transmission planning rule next month.”