AFP-WI & Libre Initiative-WI Applaud Competitive Bidding Victory Following ROFR Defeat — A Victory for Wisconsin Ratepayers

Madison, WI — Americans for Prosperity–Wisconsin (AFP-WI) and Libre Initiative –WI (Libre-WI) applaud a long-overdue win for Wisconsin families and businesses after two major utility transmission projects were awarded through open, competitive bidding, delivering hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for ratepayers.

After the Evers-appointed Public Service Commission approved more than $2 billion in energy rate hikes, Wisconsin ratepayers finally have a victory.

This win was possible because lawmakers rejected Right of First Refusal (ROFR) legislation, one of the most heavily lobbied bills over multiple legislative sessions, that would allow incumbent monopoly utilities to block competition and lock in guaranteed profits. Incumbent utilities spent millions lobbying to enact the protectionist ROFR, and the results now make it crystal clear why.

The winning bids, submitted by new market entrants, came in more than 25% lower than competing proposals, with financing structures far below traditional monopoly utility returns.

Because competition was protected, Wisconsin ratepayers are seeing real savings:

• A transmission project estimated by MISO at $1.4 billion was awarded for approximately $1 billion
• A second project estimated at $662 million was awarded for approximately $349 million

Jerry Ponio, AFP-WI Legislative Director, issued the following statement:

“After years of skyrocketing utility bills, there is finally a victory for Wisconsin ratepayers.

“ROFR was one of the most aggressively lobbied bills in Madison because monopoly utilities knew they couldn’t compete in a fair market. Instead of lowering costs, they tried to use government to block competition and force families to pay more.

“The results speak for themselves: when competition is allowed, Wisconsin wins. These bids prove ROFR was never about reliability — it was about protecting monopoly profits.

“AFP-WI thanks legislators who stood by their principles and allowed the competitive bidding process to play out. With momentum finally on the side of ratepayers, AFP-WI looks forward to continuing to work with lawmakers on policies that protect consumers while delivering reliable, affordable, and abundant power for Wisconsin’s future.”