CFACT model legislation headed to the states

CFACT’s three “model bills” cleared a big hurdle at a recent American Legislative Exchange Council meeting in Denver.

The three bills — designed to strengthen grid reliability, protect ratepayers, and discourage land grabs by big companies and foreign governments – each cleared the Environment, Energy, and Agriculture Task Force committee with strong support and now move to final (and likely) approval. Model bills are important as they are sent, after approval by ALEC, to conservative and libertarian-leaning legislators in all 50 states to be considered for submission in their legislative bodies.

The first CFACT model bill was introduced by South Dakota representative Julie Auch and titled the “Natural Asset Company Prohibition Act”. It was designed to stop companies (some foreign, including China) from profiting through the purchase and locking up U.S. lands for no meaningful purpose other than to stop farming, ranching, or resource extraction.

The second CFACT model bill champions the creation of a “consumer advocate” to represent ratepayer interests at Public Service (Utility) meetings in various states. Dubbed the Ratepayer Affordability and Reliability Advocacy Act, this bill was introduced by Representatives Jeanine Notter and Michael Vos of New Hampshire and received unanimous support from ALEC attendees.

The third model bill, entitled Truth in Electricity Generation Labeling Act and introduced by Jack Colin of Utah, seeks to provide “Truth in Labeling” to power generation facilities. This has become important because, in many instances, renewable power facilities “sell” themselves as being able to provide 100 MW or so of electricity but, in actuality, only deliver about a quarter to a third of that amount in the real world.

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