AB748: Bill Text

AB748, s. 31 Section 31. 196.49 (3) (b) (intro.), 2. and 3. of the statutes are amended to read:

AB748,18,22 196.49 (3) (b) (intro.) Except as provided in par. pars. (d) and (e), the commission may require by rule or special order under par. (a) that no project may proceed until the commission has certified that public convenience and necessity require the project. The commission may refuse to certify a project if it appears that the completion of the project will do any of the following:

AB748,18,24 2. Provide facilities unreasonably in excess of the probable future requirements needs of the public.

AB748,19,4 3. When placed in operation, add to the cost of service without proportionately increasing the value or available quantity of service to customers that the public utility has a duty to serve unless the public utility waives consideration by the commission, in the fixation of rates, of such consequent increase of cost of service.

AB748, s. 32 Section 32. 196.49 (3) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,19,10 196.49 (3) (e) 1. A public utility that provides electric service is not required to obtain commission certification under par. (b) for a project proposed by the public utility, other than the construction of a nuclear power plant, as defined in s. 196.493 (1), that has a cost that is less than any of the following amounts, as annually adjusted for inflation by the commission in rules promulgated under subd. 2.:

AB748,19,12 a. If the public utility's annual gross operating revenues are less than $5,000,000, $100,000.

AB748,19,15 b. If the public utility's annual gross operating revenues are not less than $5,000,000 nor more than $250,000,000, 2% of the public utility's annual gross operating revenues.

AB748,19,17 c. If the public utility's annual gross operating revenues are more than $250,000,000, $5,000,000.

AB748,19,20 2. The commission shall promulgate rules that establish requirements for determining a public utility's annual gross operating revenues for purposes of subd. 1. and for annually adjusting the amounts specified in subd. 1. for inflation.

AB748, s. 33 Section 33. 196.491 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,19,23 196.491 (title) Advance planning of electric Strategic energy assessment; electric generating facilities and transmission lines.

AB748, s. 34 Section 34. 196.491 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB748, s. 35 Section 35. 196.491 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,20,1 196.491 (1) (am) "Affiliated interest" has the meaning given in s. 196.52 (1).

AB748, s. 36 Section 36. 196.491 (1) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,20,5 196.491 (1) (bm) "Cooperative association" means a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or furnishing electric energy at retail or wholesale to its members only.

AB748, s. 37 Section 37. 196.491 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,20,14 196.491 (1) (d) "Electric utility" means any public utility, as defined in s. 196.01, which is involved in the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy, and any corporation, company, individual or association, and any cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or furnishing electric energy at retail or wholesale to its members only, which owns or operates, or plans within the next 10 3 years to construct, own or operate, bulk electric generating facilities, large electric generating facilities or high-voltage transmission lines in the state.

AB748, s. 38 Section 38. 196.491 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,20,17 196.491 (1) (e) "Facility" means a bulk electric generating facility, a large electric generating facility or a high-voltage transmission line.

AB748, s. 39 Section 39. 196.491 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,20,24 196.491 (1) (f) Except as provided in subs. (2) (b) 8. and (3) (d) 3m., "high-voltage transmission line" means a conductor of electric energy exceeding one mile 5 miles in length designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 100 kilovolts or more, together with associated facilities, and does not include transmission line relocations that the commission determines are necessary to facilitate highway or airport projects.

AB748, s. 40 Section 40. 196.491 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,21,3 196.491 (1) (g) "Large electric generating facility" means electric generating equipment and associated facilities designed for nominal operation at a capacity of between 12,000 and 300,000 50,000 kilowatts or more.

AB748, s. 41 Section 41. 196.491 (1) (p) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,21,6 196.491 (1) (p) "Public utility affiliate" has the meaning given in s. 196.795 (1) (L).

AB748, s. 42 Section 42. 196.491 (1) (w) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,21,11 196.491 (1) (w) "Wholesale merchant plant" means electric generating equipment and associated facilities located in this state that are owned and operated by a person that is not a public utility, public utility affiliate, affiliated interest or cooperative association and that does not provide service to any retail customer.

AB748, s. 43 Section 43. 196.491 (2) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB748,21,13 196.491 (2) (title) Strategic energy assessment.

AB748, s. 44 Section 44. 196.491 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB748,21,19 196.491 (2) (a) (intro.) The commission shall prepare an annual strategic energy assessment that evaluates the adequacy and reliability of the state's current and future electrical supply. The strategic energy assessment shall do all of the following:

AB748, s. 45 Section 45. 196.491 (2) (a) 1. and 2. of the statutes are repealed.

AB748, s. 46 Section 46. 196.491 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,22,6 196.491 (2) (a) 3. Identify the location of proposed and alternative specific sites for all bulk electric generating facilities and all and describe large electric generating facilities over 200,000 kilowatts for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity has not been applied for under sub. (3) but the commencement of whose construction is planned within 3 years, or such longer period as the commission deems necessary and indicate the impacts of the proposed and alternative generating facilities on the environment and the means by which potential adverse effects on such values will be avoided or minimized; on which an electric utility plans to commence construction within 3 years and wholesale merchant plants on which a person plans to commence construction within 3 years.

AB748, s. 47 Section 47. 196.491 (2) (a) 3g. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,22,9 196.491 (2) (a) 3g. Assess the adequacy and reliability of purchased generation capacity and energy to serve the needs of the public.

AB748, s. 48 Section 48. 196.491 (2) (a) 3m. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,22,15 196.491 (2) (a) 3m. Identify the location of tentative and alternative routes for and describe high-voltage transmission lines on which an electric utility plans to commence construction is intended to be commenced in the succeeding within 18 months and indicate the effects of such transmission lines on the environment and the means by which potential adverse effects will be avoided or minimized;.

AB748, s. 49 Section 49. 196.491 (2) (a) 3r. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,22,19 196.491 (2) (a) 3r. Identify and describe any plans for assuring that there is an adequate ability to transfer electric power into the state and the transmission area, as defined in s. 196.48 (1) (b), in a reliable manner.

AB748, s. 50 Section 50. 196.491 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,22,22 196.491 (2) (a) 4. Indicate in detail Identify and describe the projected demand for electric energy and the basis for determining the projected demand ;.

AB748, s. 51 Section 51. 196.491 (2) (a) 5. and 6. of the statutes are repealed.

AB748, s. 52 Section 52. 196.491 (2) (a) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,23,2 196.491 (2) (a) 7. Identify and describe existing and planned programs and policies activities to discourage inefficient and excessive power use; and.

AB748, s. 53 Section 53. 196.491 (2) (a) 8. of the statutes is repealed.

AB748, s. 54 Section 54. 196.491 (2) (a) 9. to 13. of the statutes are created to read:

AB748,23,6 196.491 (2) (a) 9. Identify and describe existing and planned generating facilities that use renewable sources of energy.

AB748,23,9 10. Consider the public interest in economic development, public health and safety, protection of the environment and diversification of sources of energy supplies.

AB748,23,11 11. Assess the extent to which the regional bulk-power market is contributing to the adequacy and reliability of the state's electrical supply.

AB748,23,13 12. Assess the extent to which effective competition is contributing to a reliable, low-cost and environmentally sound source of electricity for the public.

AB748,23,15 13. Assess whether sufficient electric capacity and energy will be available to the public at a reasonable price.

AB748, s. 55 Section 55. 196.491 (2) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,23,19 196.491 (2) (ag) The commission shall promulgate rules that establish procedures and requirements for an electric utility to report information that is necessary for the commission to prepare strategic energy assessments under par. (a).

AB748, s. 56 Section 56. 196.491 (2) (am) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (2r) and amended to read:

AB748,24,2 196.491 (2r) (title) Local ordinances. No local ordinance may prohibit or restrict testing activities undertaken by a an electric utility for purposes of preparing advance plans or determining the suitability of a site for the placement of a facility. Any local unit of government objecting to such testing may petition the commission to impose reasonable restrictions on such activity.

AB748, s. 57 Section 57. 196.491 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB748,24,7 196.491 (2) (b) (intro.) On or before July 1, the commission shall issue a draft of the annual strategic energy assessment that it prepares under par. (a) to each of the following:

AB748, s. 58 Section 58. 196.491 (2) (b) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,24,12 196.491 (2) (b) 8. The lower Wisconsin state riverway board if the plan draft includes an assessment of the construction, modification or relocation of a high-voltage transmission line, as defined in s. 30.40 (3r), that is located in the lower Wisconsin riverway as defined in s. 30.40 (15).

AB748, s. 59 Section 59. 196.491 (2) (b) 9. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,24,15 196.491 (2) (b) 9. Each electric utility that is required to report information to the commission under the rules promulgated under par. (ag).

AB748, s. 60 Section 60. 196.491 (2) (c) and (d) of the statutes are repealed.

AB748, s. 61 Section 61. 196.491 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,24,21 196.491 (2) (e) Any state agency, as defined in s. 16.375 (1), county, municipality, town or person may submit written comments on any plan to the commission on a strategic energy assessment within 180 90 days after the plan is filed copies of the draft are issued under par. (b).

AB748, s. 62 Section 62. 196.491 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,25,17 196.491 (2) (f) Because the planning process for facilities siting otherwise incorporates consideration and analysis of environmental impact, s. Section 1.11 (2) (c) shall not apply to advance plans a strategic energy assessment prepared under par. (a) but the commission shall prepare a single environmental assessment on all plans submitted for approval under par. (a) the strategic energy assessment, which shall include a discussion of generic issues related thereto. Such and environmental impacts. The commission shall make the environmental assessment shall be made available to the public at least 30 days prior to the hearing under par. (g). The assessment on the plans is different from an environmental impact statement on a particular facility in that it need not identify the environmental effects of proposed sites for facilities in the plan with the same degree of detail as is required when a particular facility is considered for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3). The assessment need not repeat information included in an assessment prepared for a plan submitted under par. (a) on a prior reporting date and with respect to which no material additional data is required or as to which there has been no material change in circumstances. Applicable portions of such assessment may be included by reference in any environmental impact statement prepared by the commission, including a statement prepared in connection with the consideration of an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3).

AB748, s. 63 Section 63. 196.491 (2) (g) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 35, is amended to read:

AB748,26,20 196.491 (2) (g) Within 180 No sooner than 30 and no later than 90 days after the plan is filed copies of the draft are issued under par. (b), the commission shall hold a hearing thereon on the draft which may not be a hearing under s. 227.42 or 227.44. The hearing shall be held in an administrative district, established by executive order 22, issued August 24, 1970, which the commission determines will be significantly affected by facilities proposed in the plan to be constructed in the following on which an electric utility plans to commence construction within 3 years. The commission may thereafter adjourn the hearing to other locations or may conduct the hearing by interactive video conference or other electronic method. Notice of such hearing shall be given by class 1 notice, under ch. 985, published in the official state newspaper and such other regional papers of general circulation as may be designated by the commission. At such hearing the commission shall briefly describe the plan strategic energy assessment and give all interested persons an opportunity, subject to reasonable limitations on the presentation of repetitious material, to express their views on any aspect of the plan. The presentation of such views need not be under oath nor subject to cross-examination. The commission shall advise all persons present of their right to express their views orally or in writing, under oath or otherwise, and of the legal effect of each such form of testimony strategic energy assessment. A record of unsworn testimony the hearing shall be made and considered by the commission as comments on the plan strategic energy assessment under par. (e). Persons presenting such views shall not be parties. The utility, any state agency, county, municipality, town, or any person whose substantial rights may be adversely affected by the testing for or construction of facilities described in an advance plan, shall, upon filing written notice setting forth its interest at least 10 days in advance, be afforded all the rights of a party in a contested case.

AB748, s. 64 Section 64. 196.491 (2) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,27,2 196.491 (2) (gm) Based on comments received on a draft, the commission shall prepare a final strategic energy assessment within 90 days after a hearing under par. (g). The commission shall provide copies of the final strategic energy assessment to any state agency, county, municipality, town or other person who submitted comments on the draft under par. (e) and to the persons specified in par. (b).

AB748, s. 65 Section 65. 196.491 (2) (i) to (m) of the statutes are repealed.

AB748, s. 66 Section 66. 196.491 (2m) (title) of the statutes is repealed.

AB748, s. 67 Section 67. 196.491 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (3) (a) 3. a. and amended to read:

AB748,28,2 196.491 (3) (a) 3. a. At least 120 days prior to the filing of an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3) for a bulk or large electric generating facility, the applicant shall notify the department and the commission of its intention to make such application and At the same time that a person files an application under subd. 1., the person shall provide the department with an engineering plan showing the location of the facility, a description of the facility, including the major components thereof having of the facility that have a significant air, water or solid waste pollution potential, and a description of the anticipated effects of such the facility on air and water quality. Within 60 30 days thereafter after a person provides an engineering plan, the department shall provide the applicant person with a listing of each department permit or approval which, on the basis of the information contained in the engineering plan, appears to be required for the construction or operation of the facility. The department shall, in consultation with the commission, also designate which permits and approvals, or portions thereof, must be obtained prior to the issuance of the certificate of public convenience and necessity. Such designation shall be based on a finding by the department that the granting or denial of the same could significantly affect overall facility design or location. At any time prior to the issuance of the certificate of public convenience and necessity, the department may, in consultation with the commission, waive the necessity of obtaining any such permit or approval in advance of such certificate.

AB748, s. 68 Section 68. 196.491 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (3) (a) 1. and amended to read:

AB748,28,23 196.491 (3) (a) 1. No person may commence the construction of a facility unless such the person has applied for and received a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the commission as provided in this section. An application in the form and containing the information required by commission rules for such certificate shall be filed with the commission not less than 18 months prior to the commencement of construction of a bulk electric generating facility, and not less than 6 months prior to the commencement of construction of a large electric generating facility or a high-voltage transmission line. Within 10 days after filing the application, the commission shall send a copy of the application to the clerk of each municipality and town in which the proposed facility is to be located and to the main public library in each such county. The applicant shall apply for any permits or approvals required by the department prior to the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity within 20 days after the application to the commission. An applicant shall make a preliminary application for all other permits and approvals specified under sub. (2m). Such preliminary application shall be sufficient if it identifies the permits and approvals applied for and contains so much of the information required for each such permit or approval as is then available to the applicant. Thereafter the applicant shall supply necessary additional engineering and design information as it becomes available.

AB748, s. 69 Section 69. 196.491 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,29,9 196.491 (3) (a) 2. The commission shall determine whether an application filed under subd. 1. is complete and, no later than 30 days after the application is filed, notify the applicant about the determination. If the commission determines that the application is incomplete, the notice shall state the reason for the determination. An applicant may supplement and refile an application that the commission has determined to be incomplete. There is no limit on the number of times that an applicant may refile an application under this subdivision. If the commission fails to determine whether an application is complete within 30 days after the application is filed, the application shall be considered to be complete.

AB748, s. 70 Section 70. 196.491 (3) (a) 3. b. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,29,24 196.491 (3) (a) 3. b. Within 20 days after the department provides a listing specified in subd. 3. a. to a person, the person shall apply for the permits and approvals identified in the listing. The department shall determine whether an application under this subd. 3. b. is complete and, no later than 30 days after the application is filed, notify the applicant about the determination. If the department determines that the application is incomplete, the notice shall state the reason for the determination. An applicant may supplement and refile an application that the department has determined to be incomplete. There is no limit on the number of times that an applicant may refile an application under this subd. 3. b. If the department fails to determine whether an application is complete within 30 days after the application is filed, the application shall be considered to be complete. The department shall complete action on an application under this subd. 3. b. within 90 days after the date on which the application is determined or considered to be complete.

AB748, s. 71 Section 71. 196.491 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,30,4 196.491 (3) (b) The commission shall hold a public hearing on the an application that is determined or considered to be complete in the area affected pursuant to s. 227.44. A class 1 notice, under ch. 985, shall be given at least 30 days prior to the hearing.

AB748, s. 72 Section 72. 196.491 (3) (d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,30,9 196.491 (3) (d) (intro.) Except as provided under par. (e) and s. 196.493, the commission shall approve an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be approved only if the commission determines that all of the following:

AB748, s. 73 Section 73. 196.491 (3) (d) 1. of the statutes is repealed.

AB748, s. 74 Section 74. 196.491 (3) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read: