An incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line.
If enacted, AB25 will require incumbent transmission facility owners to provide written notification to the PSC regarding their intent to construct approved transmission lines within a specified timeframe. The bill mandates these owners to include cost estimates in their applications, supported by documentation from competitively bid contracts. Additionally, they must submit quarterly reports until project completion, reflecting updated cost estimates and explaining any deviations from prior estimates, which ensures ongoing oversight during the construction phase.
Assembly Bill 25 (AB25) seeks to regulate the rights of incumbent transmission facility owners to construct, own, and maintain transmission lines that have been approved in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) transmission plan. The bill allows these owners, which may include transmission utilities and cooperatives, to have the right to build facilities that connect to their existing infrastructure, following specific procedures established by the Public Service Commission (PSC). This legislation highlights an effort to streamline the construction process while ensuring transparency about costs associated with these projects.
There are potential points of contention surrounding AB25. Critics may argue that while the bill aims to facilitate construction, it could unintentionally concentrate too much power in the hands of established transmission facility owners at the expense of other stakeholders. This could limit competition in the construction and maintenance of transmission lines. Furthermore, the long-term implications regarding cost allocations and transparency for energy consumers are areas that may require closer examination to ensure that the rights and responsibilities do not create a burden on consumers or undermine fair competition within the utility sector.