Following years of debate, hours of committee testimony, and much negotiation, the legislature passed a two-bill package making reforms to the state’s energy market.  The original proposals would have essentially ended the current Electric Choice program in the state, which allows for 10% of consumers to choose their energy supplier.  However, following key negotiations, the passed legislation will preserve the energy choice program.  This has been a key program to help not only households, but schools and businesses to save thousands of dollars on their electric bill.  The final version also removed the proposed fee for customers wanting to leave the utilities, this was one of the key items that would have harmed the choice program by making it too expensive for customers to participate.  In a press release, Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) stated “The package updates key provisions of the state’s current energy laws. During the legislative process, I have spoken in defense of electric choice and lower electric rates for ALL taxpayers. I am happy that this final version removes the ‘poison pills’ that could have killed choice. The final result is a plan that prioritizes citizens, as it should.”

Additionally, the passed legislation protects ratepayers by striking proposed “decoupling” language, which would have increased customer costs by automatically increasing all electric rates if the utilities’ sales were lower than projected.  The proposal also provides more equitable options than earlier versions of the plan for competitive electricity suppliers to purchase and guarantee energy reliability in future years.  Furthermore, the approved language will require electric utilities to generate 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2021.  This provision was a key point for the Democratic caucus and members of the environmental and conservation community.

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