Overview
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article about a bill advancing in the Wisconsin General Assembly to establish a Wisconsin Right of First Refusal (“ROFR”) to promote the orderly development of new electric transmission to improve grid reliability and advance the State’s clean energy goals by connecting new renewable resources to Wisconsin consumers. The legislation would establish an option for transmission owners to construct new power lines that connect to their existing facilities. Steptoe partner and former Commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Marc Spitzer, testified in favor of the bill during state Senate and House committee hearings. In his testimony, Spitzer said: “Competitive procurement for transmission has not been the magic bullet. Elimination of the (federal right of first refusal) has led not to more wires but instead bureaucratic morass.” As it stands, ROFR legislation holds considerable significance for power companies and Mr. Spitzer, a former State Senate Majority Leader and State Utility Commission Chairman, has advanced ROFR legislation in several other jurisdictions.
Visit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s website for more information.
