Right of First Refusal is wrong for Iowa energy bills

As a retiree on a fixed income, I’ve always tried to plan carefully. But lately it feels like no matter how well I budget, the necessities are getting out of reach. I just got my property tax assessment, and it went up again. Groceries and my energy bill are on the rise, which is why I really appreciate Althea Cole's perspective in her recent column on Right of First Refusal (ROFR).

I was also relieved to see that the U.S. Department of Justice weighed in against the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) provision in SSB1113. It’s encouraging to see the Trump administration speaking up for us ratepayers. They rightfully pointed out in a letter to the Iowa Legislature that ROFR would give monopoly utilities like MidAmerican and ITC Midwest the exclusive right to build new electric transmission line projects without having to compete for them and prove that they can provide the best deal for consumers.

As a lifelong and active Republican I believe in competition, not in letting politically connected corporations call the shots. The DOJ’s opposition to ROFR, which has come under both Republican and Democrat administrations, proves this isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about fairness and economic common sense.

I urge Gov. Reynolds and our Republican legislators not to let monopoly power grow unchecked. Remove ROFR from the energy bill. Iowa families like mine are counting on you to make the free market work for all of us, not just for the big energy companies!

Bruce Lindholm

Cedar Rapids