3. Location, site, or route issues concerning the proposed utility facility, including alternative locations, sites, or routes.
89,16
Section
16. 30.025 (2s) of the statutes is created to read:
30.025 (2s) Consideration of alternatives. (a) The department shall treat the commission's decision under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) as concluding that there is no practicable alternative for the utility facility if all of the following apply:
1. The department has participated in the commission's investigations or proceedings under sub. (2g).
2. The commission's decision under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) is consistent with the department's assessment and information under sub. (2g) considering those factors required to be considered by the commission under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3).
(b) If par. (a) applies, the department may not require the applicant for the proposed utility facility to undertake further analysis of any utility facility alternatives, including an analysis of alternative methods of meeting the need for the project or alternative locations, sites, or routes in order to satisfy the criteria under sub. (3). The department may identify adjustments that may be required to address permitting issues within the location, site, or route approved by the commission under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3).
89,17
Section
17. 30.025 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
30.025 (3) Permit issuance. (intro.) The department shall grant the necessary permits if, after hearing, it finds that the applicant has shown that the proposal:
89,18
Section
18. 30.025 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
30.025 (3m) Environmental assessments for certain projects. The department is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement under s. 1.11 (2) (c) for the construction of a project that is specified in s. 196.491 (4) (c) 1. and for which one or more permits are required, but shall prepare an environmental assessment regarding the construction if the department's rules require an environmental assessment.
89,19
Section
19. 30.025 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
30.025 (4) Permit conditions. The permit may be issued upon stated conditions deemed necessary to assure compliance with the criteria designated under sub. (3). The department shall grant or deny the application within the time limit applicable under s. 196.491 (3) (a) 3. b. for a permit for the utility facility within 30 days of the date on which the commission issues its decision under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3).
89,20
Section
20. 30.206 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
30.206 (1m) The department shall issue a general permit under this section for the construction of projects for which the commission is considered to have issued a certificate under s. 196.491 (3b).
89,21
Section
21. 32.03 (5) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
32.03 (5) (c) This subsection does not prohibit an electric utility from negotiating with the owner, or one of the owners, of a property, or the representative of an owner, before the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, if the electric utility advises the owner or representative that the electric utility does not have the authority to acquire the property by condemnation until the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
89,22
Section
22. 66.0119 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
66.0119 (1) (a) "Inspection purposes" include includes such purposes as building, housing, electrical, plumbing, heating, gas, fire, health, safety, environmental pollution, water quality, waterways, use of water, food, zoning, property assessment, meter and obtaining data required to be submitted in an initial site report or feasibility report under subch. III of ch. 289 or s. 291.23, 291.25, 291.29 or 291.31 or an environmental impact statement related to one of those reports. "Inspection purposes" also includes purposes for obtaining information specified in s. 196.02 (5m) by or on behalf of the public service commission.
89,23
Section
23. 79.04 (6) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
79.04 (6) (c) 3. For the purpose of determining the amount of the payment under par. (b), if a production plant is located in more than one county, the payment amount under par. (b) shall be divided among the counties in which the plant is located based on the net book value of that portion of the plant located in each county as of December 31, 2004, or as of the date on which the plant is operational, whichever is later.
79.04 (7) (c) 1m. Beginning with payments in 2005, if a cogeneration production plant, as described in sub. (6) (a), is built and completed after December 31, 2003, and has a name-plate capacity of at least one megawatt, each municipality and county in which such a cogeneration production plant is located shall receive annually from the public utility account a payment in an amount that is equal to the number of megawatts that represents the cogeneration production plant's name-plate capacity, multiplied by $1,000. Any municipality or county that receives a payment under this subdivision in any year may not receive a payment under subd. 1. in that year, if the payment under subd. 1. is based on the same production plant as the payment under this subdivision.
89,25
Section
25. 79.04 (7) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
79.04 (7) (d) For the purpose of determining the amount of any payment under this subsection, if a production plant is located in more than one municipality or county, the payment amount shall be divided among the municipalities or counties in which the plant is located based on the net book value of that portion of the plant located in each municipality or county as of December 31, 2004, or as of the date on which the plant is operational, whichever is later.
89,26
Section
26. 85.02 of the statutes is renumbered 85.02 (1).
89,27
Section
27. 85.02 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
85.02 (2) The department shall implement the policy specified in s. 1.12 (6) in making all decisions, orders, and rules affecting the siting of new electric transmission facilities.
89,28
Section
28. 91.75 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
91.75 (4) Such ordinances shall be considered local ordinances for purposes of s. 196.491 (3) (i) and (4) (c) 3. and shall provide that gas and electric utility uses not requiring authorization under s. 196.491 (3) are special exceptions or permitted or conditional uses and are uses that are consistent with agricultural use.
89,29
Section
29. 196.02 (5m) of the statutes is created to read:
196.02 (5m) Property inspections. The commission may inspect property for the purpose of obtaining any information related to the preparation or review of an application for a certificate under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3), including any information necessary to evaluate any environmental features or effects that are relevant to such an application.
89,30
Section
30. 196.025 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
196.025 (1m) The commission shall implement the policy specified in s. 1.12 (6) in making all decisions, orders, and rules affecting the siting of new electric transmission facilities.
89,31
Section
31. 196.025 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
196.025 (2) (intro.) The commission shall promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for the commission to carry out the duties under s. 1.11. Rules promulgated under this subsection shall include requirements and procedures for the commission to comply with sub. (2m) and for each of the following:
89,32
Section
32. 196.025 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
196.025 (2m) (a) In this subsection:
1. "Department" means the department of natural resources.
2. "Project" means a project or construction requiring a certificate under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) and requiring a permit or approval from the department.
(b) The commission and the department shall coordinate the execution of their respective duties under s. 1.11 for any action of the commission or department regarding a project as follows:
1. If the rules of either the commission or the department require the commission or the department to prepare an environmental impact statement on the project, the commission and the department shall cooperatively prepare an environmental impact statement.
2. If subd. 1. does not apply and the rules of either the commission or the department require the commission or the department to prepare an environmental assessment on the project, the commission and the department shall cooperatively prepare an environmental assessment.
3. The environmental impact statement or environmental assessment under subd. 1. or 2. shall include all of the information required for both the commission and the department to carry out their respective duties under s. 1.11.
(c) Paragraph (b) does not waive any duty of the commission or the department to comply with s. 1.11 or to take any other action required by law regarding a project, except that, in the consideration of alternative locations, sites, or routes for a project, the commission and the department are required to consider only the location, site, or route for the project identified in an application for a certificate under s. 196.49 and no more than one alternative location, site, or route; and, for a project identified in an application for a certificate under s. 196.491 (3), the commission and the department are required to consider only the location, site, or route for the project identified in the application and one alternative location, site, or route.
89,33
Section
33. 196.20 (7) of the statutes is created to read:
196.20 (7) (a) In this subsection, "mitigation payment" means, as approved by the commission, an unrestricted or recurring monetary payment to a local unit of government in which an electric generating facility is located to mitigate the impact of the electric generating facility on the local unit of government. "Mitigation payment" does not include payments made or in-kind contributions for restricted purposes to directly address health or safety impacts of the electric generating facility on the local unit of government.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), an electric public utility may not recover in rates any of the following:
1. The cost of mitigation payments paid by the utility.
2. The cost of mitigation payments paid by the owner or operator of an electric generating facility that the owner or operator recovers from the utility by selling electricity to the utility, by leasing the facility to the utility, or by any agreement between the owner or operator of the electric generating facility and the public utility.
(c) The commission shall only approve a mitigation payment agreement that is received by the commission before June 10, 2003, and, if the commission finds the agreement to be reasonable, shall not subsequently modify the agreement.
89,34
Section
34. 196.49 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
196.49 (4) The commission may not issue a certificate under sub. (1), (2), or (3) for the construction of electric generating equipment and associated facilities unless the commission determines that brownfields, as defined in s. 560.13 (1) (a), are used to the extent practicable.
89,35
Section
35. 196.491 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (a) 1. No Except as provided in sub. (3b), no person may commence the construction of a facility unless the person has applied for and received a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the commission as provided in this section under this subsection. An application for a certificate issued under this subsection shall be in the form and containing contain the information required by commission rules for such certificate and shall be filed with the commission not less than 6 months prior to the commencement of construction of a facility. Within 10 days after filing the an application under this subdivision, 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.
89,36
Section
36. 196.491 (3) (a) 3. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (a) 3. a. At least 60 days before a person files an application under subd. 1., the person shall provide the department with an engineering plan showing
if the facility is a large electric generating facility or a detailed project plan if the facility is a high-voltage transmission line. The engineering or project plan shall show the location of the facility, a description of the facility, including the major components of the facility that have a significant air, water or solid waste pollution potential, and a brief description of the anticipated effects of the facility on air and quality, water quality, wetlands, solid waste disposal capacity, and other natural resources. Within 30 days after a person provides an engineering or project plan, the department shall provide the person with a listing of each department permit or approval which, on the basis of the information contained in the engineering or project plan, appears to be required for the construction or operation of the facility.
89,37
Section
37. 196.491 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (b) The commission shall hold a public hearing on an application filed under par. (a) 1. 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.
89,38
Section
38. 196.491 (3) (d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (d) (intro.) Except as provided under par. (e) and s. 196.493, the commission shall approve an application filed under par. (a) 1. for a certificate of public convenience and necessity only if the commission determines all of the following:
89,39
Section
39. 196.491 (3) (d) 8. of the statutes is created to read:
196.491 (3) (d) 8. For a large electric generating facility, brownfields, as defined in s. 560.13 (1) (a), are used to the extent practicable.
89,40
Section
40. 196.491 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (e) If the an application filed under par. (a) 1. does not meet the criteria under par. (d), the commission shall reject the application or approve the application with such modifications as are necessary for an affirmative finding under par. (d). The commission may not issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this subsection until the department has issued all permits and approvals identified in the listing specified in par. (a) 3. a. that are required prior to construction.
89,41
Section
41. 196.491 (3) (g) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (3) (g) and amended to read:
196.491 (3) (g) The commission shall take final action on an application filed under par. (a) 1. within 180 days after the application is determined or considered to be complete under par. (a) 2. If the commission fails to take final action within the 180-day period, the commission is considered to have issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity with respect to the application, unless the commission, within the 180-day period, petitions the circuit court for Dane County for an extension of time for taking final action on the application and the court grants an extension. Upon a showing of good cause, the court may extend the 180-day period for no more than an additional 180 days . If the commission fails to take final action within the extended period, the commission is considered to have issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity with respect to the application.
89,42
Section
42. 196.491 (3) (g) 1m. of the statutes is repealed.
89,43
Section
43. 196.491 (3) (gm) of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (gm) The commission may not approve an application filed after October 29, 1999, under this section subsection for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a high-voltage transmission line that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more unless the approval includes the condition that the applicant shall pay the fees specified in sub. (3g) (a). If the commission has approved an application under this section subsection for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a high-voltage transmission line that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more that was filed after April 1, 1999, and before October 29, 1999, the commission shall require the applicant to pay the fees specified in sub. (3g) (a). For any application subject to this paragraph, the commission shall determine the cost of the high-voltage transmission line, identify the counties, towns, villages and cities through which the high-voltage transmission line is routed and allocate the amount of investment associated with the high-voltage transmission line to each such county, town, village and city.
89,44
Section
44. 196.491 (3) (h) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (6).
89,45
Section
45. 196.491 (3) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:
196.491 (3) (j) Any person whose substantial rights may be adversely affected or any county, municipality or town having jurisdiction over land affected by a certificate of public convenience and necessity for which an application is filed under par. (a) 1. may petition for judicial review, under ch. 227, of any decision of the commission regarding the certificate.
89,46
Section
46. 196.491 (3b) of the statutes is created to read:
196.491 (3b) Expedited review. (a) A person who proposes to construct a high-voltage transmission line may apply for a certificate under this subsection if the construction is limited to adding conductors to existing transmission poles or towers and if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
(b) The commission shall promulgate rules specifying the information that must be included in an application under this subsection. If the commission receives an application that complies with rules, the commission shall, as soon as practicable, notify the applicant that the commission has received a complete application.
(c) The commission is considered to have issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3) for construction specified in an application under par. (a) unless the commission notifies the applicant, no later than 30 business days after the date on which the commission notifies an applicant under par. (b) that the application is complete, that the commission has determined that the public interest requires the applicant to obtain a certificate under s. 196.49.
89,47
Section
47. 196.491 (4) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (4) (c) 1. and amended to read:
196.491 (4) (c) 1. A certificate under sub. (3) is not required for a person to construct a high-voltage transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less than 230 345 kilovolts if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
89,48
Section
48. 196.491 (4) (c) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
196.491 (4) (c) 2. The commission is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement under under s. 1.11 (2) (c) for construction that is specified in subd. 1., but shall prepare an environmental assessment regarding the construction if an environmental assessment is required under the commission's rules.
89,49
Section
49. 196.491 (4) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
196.491 (4) (c) 3. If construction or utilization of a high-voltage transmission line described in subd. 1. is precluded or inhibited by a local ordinance, the construction and utilization of the line may nevertheless proceed.
89,50
Section
50. 196.491 (6) (title) of the statutes is created to read:
196.491 (6) (title) Waiver.
89,51
Section
51.
Initial applicability.
(1) Utility aid payments. The treatment of section 79.04 (6) (c) 3. and (7) (c) 1m. and (d) of the statutes first applies to distributions made on the 4th Monday of July 2005.
(2) Department of natural resources procedures. The treatment of sections 30.02 (1) and (2), 30.025 (title), (1), (1b), (1e), (1m), (1s) (title) and (b), (2), (2g), (2s), (3) (intro.), (3m), and (4), and 30.206 (1m) of the statutes first applies to applications for permits, as defined in section 30.025 (1b) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, filed with the department of natural resources on the effective date of this subsection.
(3) Public service commission procedures. The treatment of sections 196.49 (4) and 196.491 (3) (a) 1. and 3. a., (b), (d) (intro.) and 8., (e), (g) 1. and 1m., (gm), and (j), (3b), and (4) (c) 2. and 3. of the statutes and the renumbering and amendment of section 196.491 (4) (c) of the statutes first apply to applications submitted on the effective date of this subsection.
