Protecting Consumers: Who Pays for Interstate Power Line Construction?
This law aims to protect residents of one state from paying for the construction of new interstate electric transmission lines driven by the energy policies of a neighboring state. Utility providers cannot pass these costs onto consumers unless the consumer's state explicitly agrees to the allocation. This measure is intended to prevent unexpected increases in electricity bills for citizens who do not directly benefit from the infrastructure.
Key points
Prohibits charging consumers for new transmission facility costs if the facility is primarily built to implement another state's energy policy.
Costs can only be allocated to out-of-state consumers if their state officials provide express consent.
Residents of the state that mandates the new energy policy are presumed to be the ones who benefit and should bear the costs.
Introduced
Citizen Poll