Critical transmission legislation continues to move forward during 2023 legislative session

Following committee approval, Missouri First Transmission Act sent to House Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee

The Missouri First Transmission Act continues to move through the legislative process during the 2023 legislative session. House Bill 992 gives existing owners of in-state transmission assets the right-of-first refusal on all transmission projects that connect to their systems and are approved by regional transmission organizations. In addition, the legislation includes language encouraging co-location of new transmission assets with other existing infrastructure and other measures designed to control costs within these projects.

Regional transmission organizations, such as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), have the power to decide when and where most of the new electric transmission projects should be built in the Midwest. These organizations can also determine who builds these projects. Despite this power, federal law includes a mechanism allowing states to assert more control over these decisions. While many of Missouri's neighboring states have laws in place to exercise this type of authority, legislation, like the Missouri First Transmission Act,  would need to be passed by lawmakers in the Show-Me State to grant Missouri, not out-of-state entities, this same decision-making ability.

As part of its Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) initiative, MISO has identified 18 projects that make up phase one of its long-term plan. Of those 18 projects, portions of three will take place in northern Missouri. In states with right-of-first-refusal laws, these LRTP projects can begin as soon as they are approved by MISO. In states without these policies in place, like Missouri, these transmission projects will be forced to go through a lengthy bid process that could take up to two years to complete.

Representative Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, discusses the Missouri First Transmission Act during the bill's hearing before the House Utilities Committee. Photo Courtesy of House Communications.

“Transmission lines are important; we need them in our modern society, and we need transmission lines that are going to improve the reliability of our energy grid,” said Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, the sponsor of HB 992. "In my mind, new transmission lines should be owned and operated by utility companies within our state, and those transmission lines should be co-located where there already are easements owned by utilities within the state."

On March 8, the House Utilities Committee approved the legislation by an 8-3 vote. The Missouri First Transmission Act has been referred to the House Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee for further consideration. Once approved by the Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee, the measure would move to the full House of Representatives for discussion and debate.