Lowering Utility Bills Act

Lower Utility Rates: By requiring transmission providers to establish the authorized return on equity at the lowest end of a range of reasonableness, the bill aims to lower the rates charged to customers (Section 2(a)(2)(A)).

Prevention of Unjust Charges: The "Corrupt Rate Recovery Ban" prohibits utilities from recovering specific costs through customer rates, such as lobbying, political contributions, advertising, and even travel or food expenses for executives (Section 2(b) and Section 3(b)).

Cost-Saving Infrastructure: The bill requires the Commission to consider transmission project expenditures as prudent only if the provider proves they prioritized lower-cost alternatives, such as grid-enhancing technologies (Section 2(c)).

Increased Transparency: For investor-owned utilities using a higher return on equity than required, the bill mandates making public justifications, explanations of the difference, and the specific impact on average residential monthly bills (Section 3(a)(2)(C)).

Potential Difficulty Attracting Capital: Transmission providers may be allowed to seek a higher return on equity than the lowest in the range if they can provide "clear and convincing evidence" that a higher return is necessary to attract capital and maintain financial integrity (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).

Risk of Higher Costs for Specific Projects: While the bill emphasizes cost-saving, it requires specific evidence regarding grid-enhancing technologies and regional planning processes for a capital expenditure to be considered prudent (Section 2(c)).