Here’s why Right of First Refusal is wrong for Iowa

As a lifelong Iowan and Alliant Energy customer, I’m tired of paying some of the highest electricity bills in the region. Like many in Eastern Iowa, my power runs through lines owned by ITC Midwest — which charges the highest transmission fees in the entire MISO region.

Now, they want even more.

There’s a push to give ITC Midwest and other monopoly utilities what’s called a “Right of First Refusal” — a loophole that lets them automatically build new high-voltage transmission lines without any competition. That means no bidding for the right to build, no incentive to lower costs, and guaranteed profits — passed straight to us on our monthly bills.

That’s not right.

If a new line is needed, ITC should have to earn it. They should compete — submit a bid, show the cost, and prove they can deliver the best value. Competition brings accountability, innovation, and lower prices. Monopolies don’t.

We’ve already seen what happens when there’s no competition: rates rise, protections vanish, and Iowans are left footing the bill.

Lawmakers should stand with working families — not utility monopolies.

I want to thank my state representative, Judd Lawler, for standing up for us and opposing ROFR legislation. I hope other Iowa lawmakers will follow his lead. If utilities want to build new transmission, they should put in the work and win the bid — just like everyone else.

David Schwendinger

Williamsburg