Indiana Poll: Voters See Right of First Refusal Legislation Raising Electricity Prices and Increasing the Power of Incumbent Utilities
April 6, 2023
A poll released today regarding Indiana legislation that would increase incumbent utility control over the state’s electric power grid shows that voters overwhelmingly do not support the idea.
Conducted by TargetPoint Consulting during the period of March 13-14, the poll found that a supermajority of voters agree that “Right of First Refusal Legislation” currently being considered by the Indiana General Assembly has many downsides for consumers. The legislation would limit competition on who can build transmission lines - the large powerlines that carry electricity from the power generating facilities to your local utility provider – and automatically grant current incumbent utility providers the right to build any new transmission lines in their service area, instead of allowing a competitive bidding process to take place.
Results of the poll show that:
86% of voters agree that ROFR’s elimination of competition will drive up prices and deprive customers of substantial cost savings seen in other states.
85% agree that ROFR will increase power of utilities and want legislators to act in interests of citizens.
82% agree that competition has worked in other states and will bring substantial savings to Indiana.
74% agree that ROFR simply runs against core principles of free-markets and open competition.
Additionally, 67% of Indiana voters say allowing competition for these billion-dollar projects is the best way to ensure that consumers get the best deal possible including 65% of Republicans, 67% of Democrats and 71% of Independents.
The poll also revealed that 6 in 10 voters say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who voted for Right of First Refusal legislation including 59% of Republicans, 61% of Democrats and 61% of Independents.
Organizations joining together to protect consumers and oppose Right of First Refusal legislation include Americans for Fair Energy Prices, Americans for Prosperity, R Street, Advanced Energy United, LS Power, in addition to more than 1,100 Hoosiers who agree that a lack of competition in building electric transmission leads to higher electricity rates, stifles innovation and increases risks for consumers.
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