Staff time required
The Commission estimates that approximately 500 hours of Commission staff time will be required in this rulemaking.
Other resources necessary to develop rule
Commission staff may meet and consult with former members of the Governor's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables during the course of this rulemaking.
Entities affected by the rule
The rulemaking will affect all electric providers and wholesale suppliers. It may also affect the members or customers of a wholesale supplier. (
See Wis. Stat. ss.
196.378 (1) (c) and
(p)).
Public Service Commission
Subject
Objective of the rule. The proposed rule revisions adopt, for state purposes, changes to the federal pipeline safety code that have been enacted since the last revisions to the state pipeline safety code were enacted. The state has adopted federal pipeline safety provisions in Wis. Admin. Code ch.
PSC 135.
Policy analysis
Under an agreement with the federal Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, the Commission is authorized to enforce federal natural gas pipeline safety requirements as set out in the Code of Federal Regulations,
49 CFR Parts 192,
193 and
199. As part of the agreement, the Commission agrees to adopt those parts of the federal code that apply to pipeline safety. The state adopts the federal pipeline safety code in Wis. Admin. Code s.
PSC 135.019. The Commission last promulgated revisions to s. PSC 135 in 2003. Since then, the federal DOT has adopted several final rules which revise the pipeline safety code. These changes include:
Federal Amendment 192-94, relating to consensus industry standards and various technical standards. This rule took effect July 14, 2004.
Federal Amendment 192-95, relating to pipeline integrity management in high consequence areas. This rule took effect on January 14, 2004.
Federal Amendment 192-96, relating to the operation and capacity of existing pressure limiting and regulating stations on gas pipelines, and establishing an appropriate pressure limit. This rule took effect on September 14, 2004.
Federal Amendment 192-97, relating to transmission lines accommodating the passage of internal inspection devices. This rule took effect on July 28, 2004.
Federal Amendment 192-98, relating to periodic underwater inspections of pipeline facilities located in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets in waters less than 15 feet deep. This rule took effect on September 9, 2004.
Federal Amendment 192-99, relating to the requirements for pipeline operators to develop and implement public awareness programs. This rule took effect June 20, 2005.
Federal Amendment 192-100, relating to programs conducted by operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to qualify individuals who perform certain safety-related tasks on pipelines. This rule took effect July 1, 2005.
In this proceeding, the Commission will consider rule revisions designed to codify for state purposes these recently-enacted federal changes.
Comparison with federal regulations
Under an agreement with the federal Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, the Commission is authorized to enforce federal natural gas pipeline safety requirements as set out in the Code of Federal Regulations,
49 CFR Parts 192,
193 and
199. As part of the agreement, the Commission agrees to adopt those parts of the federal code that apply to pipeline safety.
Statutory authority
Staff time required
The Commission estimates that fewer than 200 hours of employee time will be required to develop the rules.
Other resources necessary to develop rule
No additional resources are likely to be needed in order to complete this project.
Entities affected by the rule
Every gas public utility and gas pipeline operator that operates gas transmission or distribution facilities in this state.
This rule would be adopted because it could be expanded to include the great lakes navigable waters in the future.
Workforce Development
Subject
Ch.
DWD 59, grants supporting community child care initiatives.
Policy analysis
Grants supporting community child care initiatives award federal child care funds to local governments and tribes that supply the required matching funds and meet other eligibility criteria for receiving the grants. Grants have been awarded to fund activities such as accommodation of children with disabilities, education of providers, and staff retention strategies. In recent years funding for this program has been cut by 86%. The reduced funding necessitates a change in the procedure for awarding the grants.
The current procedure for awarding grants provides for an initial one-year grant followed by 2 grant cycles of continuing grants. Under current law initial grantees receive up to continuing grants of up to 75% of the amount of their initial grants, and then may also compete, along with any eligible jurisdiction in the state, for the remaining 25% as initial grantees. This 2-step procedure was developed when funding for the program was $14 to 17 million. With the funding reduced to $2.4 million, a 2-step procedure is cumbersome and inefficient. The department proposes to focus the dramatically reduced funding on localities and tribes with a proven track record by removing the 75% ceiling on a grantee's continuing grants compared to their initial grant. This allows all funds to be awarded to continuing grantees for the next 2 grant cycles. Current grantees have shown an interest in the program, have the match on hand, and have the demand of grant-funded activities. There are currently 48 grantees representing approximately 86 local jurisdictions.
Statutory authority
Entities affected by the rule
Local governments and tribes.
Comparison with federal requirements
There are no comparable federal requirements.
Staff time required
75 hours.
