1999 Wisconsin Act 9

196.487 Reliability of electric service. (1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) "Public utility affiliate" has the meaning given in s. 196.795 (1) (L).

(b) "Transmission company" has the meaning given in s. 196.485 (1) (ge).

(2) Commission order. If the commission determines that a public utility affiliate or the transmission company is not making investments in the facilities under its control that are sufficient to ensure reliable electric service, the commission shall order the public utility affiliate or transmission company to make adequate investments in its facilities that are sufficient to ensure reliable electric service. An order under this subsection shall require the public utility affiliate or transmission company to provide security in an amount and form that, to the satisfaction of the commission, is sufficient to ensure that the public utility affiliate or transmission company expeditiously makes any investment that is ordered.

(3) Cost recovery. The commission shall allow a public utility affiliate that is subject to an order under sub. (2) to recover in its retail electric rates the costs that are prudently incurred in complying with the order.

9,2335wb Section 2335wb. 196.491 (3) (d) 3r. of the statutes is created to read:

196.491 (3) (d) 3r. For a high-voltage transmission line that is proposed to increase the transmission import capability into this state, existing rights-of-way are used to the extent practicable and the routing and design of the high-voltage transmission line minimizes environmental impacts in a manner that is consistent with achieving reasonable electric rates.

9,2335wd Section 2335wd. 196.491 (3) (d) 3t. of the statutes is created to read:

196.491 (3) (d) 3t. For a high-voltage transmission line that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more, the high-voltage transmission line provides usage, service or increased regional reliability benefits to the wholesale and retail customers or members in this state and the benefits of the high-voltage transmission line are reasonable in relation to the cost of the high-voltage transmission line.

9,2335wf Section 2335wf. 196.491 (3) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

196.491 (3) (gm) The commission may not approve an application filed after the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], under this section 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 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 the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], 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.

9,2335wh Section 2335wh. 196.491 (3g) of the statutes is created to read:

196.491 (3g) Fees for certain high-voltage transmission lines. (a) A person who receives 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 under sub. (3) shall pay the department of administration an annual impact fee as specified in the rules promulgated by the department of administration under s. 16.969 (2) (a) and shall pay the department of administration a one-time environmental impact fee as specified in the rules promulgated by the department of administration under s. 16.969 (2) (b).

(b) A person that pays a fee under par. (a) may not use the payment to offset any other mitigation measure that is required in an order by the commission under sub. (3) regarding the certificate of public convenience and necessity specified in par. (a).

9,2335wj Section 2335wj. 196.491 (3m) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

196.491 (3m) (b) 2. The analytical process specified in subd. 1. b. shall, to the extent practicable, be consistent with the analytical process described in the merger enforcement policy of the federal department of justice and the federal trade commission regarding horizontal acquisitions and mergers that are subject to 15 USC 1, 18 or 45, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (dr).

9,2335wL Section 2335wL. 196.494 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

196.494 (3) No later than December 31, 2004, the The commission may shall, under this subsection, issue an order requiring the transmission company, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (ge), or an electric utility to construct or procure, on a competitive basis, the construction of transmission facilities specified by the commission in its order if the commission determines that, based on the results of the study under sub. (2), such construction is necessary to relieve a constraint on a transmission system and the construction will materially benefit the customers of the transmission company or electric utility or other electric utilities or of an independent system operator, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (d), or independent transmission owner, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (dm).

9,2335wn Section 2335wn. 196.494 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

196.494 (5) The governor may, on behalf of this state, enter into an interstate compact that establishes a joint process for the states in the upper midwest region of the United States to determine the need for and siting of regional electric transmission facilities that may affect electric service in this state. The governor may not enter into a compact under this subsection unless the compact includes requirements and procedures for establishing each of the following:

(a) Compliance with each state's environmental and siting standards for transmission facilities.

(b) A regional need determination for transmission facilities.

(c) A mechanism for resolving conflicts between the states regarding the siting of transmission facilities.

9,2335wp Section 2335wp. 196.52 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

196.52 (3) (a) In this subsection, "contract or arrangement" means a contract or arrangement providing for the furnishing of management, supervisory, construction, engineering, accounting, legal, financial or similar services and any contract or arrangement for the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, right, or thing, or for the furnishing of any service, property, right, or thing, other than management, supervisory, construction, engineering, accounting, legal, financial or similar services, but "contract or arrangement" does not include a contract or arrangement under which a transmission utility, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (i), sells or transfers securities, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (fe), that have been issued by a transmission company, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (ge). Except as provided under par. (b), unless and until the commission gives its written approval, any contract or arrangement is not valid or effective if the contract or arrangement is made between a public utility and an affiliated interest after June 7, 1931. Every public utility shall file with the commission a verified copy of any contract or arrangement, a verified summary of any unwritten contract or arrangement, and any contract or arrangement, written or unwritten, which was in effect on June 7, 1931. The commission shall approve a contract or arrangement made or entered into after June 7, 1931, only if it shall clearly appear and be established upon investigation that it is reasonable and consistent with the public interest. The commission may not approve any contract or arrangement unless satisfactory proof is submitted to the commission of the cost to the affiliated interest of rendering the services or of furnishing the property or service to each public utility or of the cost to the public utility of rendering the services or of furnishing the property or service to each affiliated interest. No proof is satisfactory under this paragraph unless it includes the original (or verified copies) of the relevant cost records and other relevant accounts of the affiliated interest, or an abstract of the records and accounts or a summary taken from the records and accounts if the commission deems the abstract or summary adequate. The accounts shall be properly identified and duly authenticated. The commission, where reasonable, may approve or disapprove a contract or arrangement without submission of the cost records or accounts.

9,2335wr Section 2335wr. 196.77 of the statutes is amended to read:

196.77 Promotional rates. Except as provided in this section, nothing in this chapter prohibits a telecommunications utility from filing a tariff to make a limited offering of promotional rates. A promotional rate under this section shall take effect automatically at the time specified in the tariff but not earlier than 10 days after the date the tariff is filed with the commission unless the commission authorizes an earlier effective date or suspends the tariff within 10 days after the date on which it is filed. The commission may suspend a tariff if it believes that the tariff violates s. 196.204, 196.209 or 196.219. If the commission suspends a tariff, it shall investigate and resolve the matter within 60 days after the date on which the tariff is suspended or the tariff shall be effective as filed.

9,2335ya Section 2335ya. 196.795 (1) (g) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

196.795 (1) (g) 1. As a beneficial owner, to take, hold or acquire 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a public utility, other than a transmission company, with the unconditional power to vote those securities.

9,2335yb Section 2335yb. 196.795 (1) (g) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

196.795 (1) (g) 2. To exchange or convert 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a public utility, other than a municipality or other political subdivision or a transmission company, for or into the voting securities of a company organized, created, appointed or formed by or at the direction of the public utility or of a subsidiary of such company.

9,2335yc Section 2335yc. 196.795 (1) (h) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (1) (h) 3. "Holding company" does not include a transmission company.

9,2335yd Section 2335yd. 196.795 (1) (p) of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (1) (p) "Transmission company" has the meaning given in s. 196.485 (1) (ge).

9,2335ye Section 2335ye. 196.795 (5) (i) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

196.795 (5) (i) 1. Shall consider the public utility affiliate as a wholly independent corporation and shall impute a capital structure to the public utility affiliate and establish a cost of capital for the public utility affiliate on a stand-alone basis;

9,2335yf Section 2335yf. 196.795 (5) (p) 1., 2., 3. and 4. of the statutes are renumbered 196.795 (6m) (b) 1., 2., 3. and 4.

9,2335yg Section 2335yg. 196.795 (5) (pm) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is repealed.

9,2335yh Section 2335yh. 196.795 (5) (pm) 1. a. of the statutes is renumbered 196.795 (6m) (a) 3.

9,2335yi Section 2335yi. 196.795 (5) (pm) 1. b. of the statutes is renumbered 196.795 (6m) (a) 5.

9,2335yj Section 2335yj. 196.795 (5) (pm) 1. c. of the statutes is renumbered 196.795 (6m) (a) 6.

9,2335yk Section 2335yk. 196.795 (5) (pm) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 196.795 (6m) (c) and amended to read:

196.795 (6m) (c) Wholesale merchant plants. The assets of a wholesale merchant plant shall not be included in the sum of the assets of a public utility affiliate under par. (p) (b) 1. a., b. or c. and shall not be included in a nonutility affiliate's total assets under par. (p) (b) 2. a. if the requirements specified in s. 196.491 (3m) (a) 1. and 2. are satisfied or if the wholesale merchant plant qualifies for the exemption under s. 196.491 (3m) (e).

9,2335yL Section 2335yL. 196.795 (5) (pm) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 196.795 (6m) (d) and amended to read:

196.795 (6m) (d) Foreign affiliates. The assets of a foreign affiliate shall be included in the sum of the assets of a public utility affiliate under par. (p) (b) 1. a., b. or c. and shall not be included in a nonutility affiliate's total assets under par. (p) (b) 2. a.

9,2335ym Section 2335ym. 196.795 (6m) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (title) Asset cap.

9,2335yn Section 2335yn. 196.795 (6m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (a) Definitions. (intro.) In this subsection:

9,2335yo Section 2335yo. 196.795 (6m) (a) 1. of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (a) 1. "Contributor public utility affiliate" means a public utility affiliate that has contributed its transmission facilities to the transmission company under s. 196.485 (5) (b).

9,2335yp Section 2335yp. 196.795 (6m) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (a) 2. "Eligible asset" means an asset of a nonutility affiliate that is used for any of the following:

a. Producing, generating, transmitting, delivering, selling or furnishing gas, oil, electricity or steam energy.

b. Providing an energy management, conservation or efficiency product or service or a demand-side management product or service.

c. Providing an energy customer service, including metering or billing.

d. Recovering or producing energy from waste materials.

e. Processing waste materials.

f. Manufacturing, distributing or selling products for filtration, pumping water or other fluids, processing or heating water, handling fluids or other related activities.

g. Providing a telecommunications service, as defined in s. 196.01 (9m).

h. Providing an environmental engineering service.

9,2335yq Section 2335yq. 196.795 (6m) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (a) 4. "Generation assets" means assets that are classified as electric generation assets on the books of account of a public utility, as determined by the commission.

9,2335yr Section 2335yr. 196.795 (6m) (b) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (b) In general.

9,2335ys Section 2335ys. 196.795 (6m) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (6m) (e) Contributor public utility affiliates. 1. The eligible assets of a nonutility affiliate in a holding company system that includes each of the contributor public utility affiliates in the holding company system shall not be included in the sum of the assets of the public utility affiliates under par. (b) 1. a., b. or c. and shall not be included in the nonutility affiliate's total assets under par. (b) 2. a.

2. For purposes of subd. 1., all of the assets of a nonutility affiliate shall be considered eligible assets if each of the following is satisfied:

a. The bylaws of the nonutility affiliate or a resolution adopted by its board of directors specifies that the business of the nonutility affiliate is limited to activities involving eligible assets.

b. Substantially all of the assets of the nonutility affiliate are eligible assets.

3. The net book value of transmission facility assets that a contributor public utility affiliate has contributed to a transmission company under s. 196.485 (5) (b) shall be included in the sum of the assets of the public utility affiliate under par. (b) 1. a., b. and c. In determining net book value under this subdivision, accumulated depreciation shall be calculated as if the contributor public utility affiliate had not contributed the assets.

4. The net book value of generation assets that a contributor public utility affiliate has transferred to a person that is not affiliated with the public utility affiliate pursuant to the order of the commission, a court or a federal regulatory agency shall be included in the sum of the assets of the public utility affiliate under par. (b) 1. a., b. and c. In determining net book value under this subdivision, accumulated depreciation shall be calculated as if the contributor public utility affiliate had not transferred the assets.

9,2335ysm Section 2335ysm. 196.795 (7) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

196.795 (7) (a) (intro.) No sooner than the first day of the 36th month after the formation of a holding company and at least once every 3 years thereafter, the commission shall investigate the impact of the operation of every holding company system formed on or after November 28, 1985, on every public utility affiliate in the holding company system and shall determine whether each nonutility affiliate, except for the nonutility affiliates of a holding company that were affiliates of a holding company that was formed before November 28, 1985, does, or can reasonably be expected to do, at least one of the following:

9,2335yt Section 2335yt. 196.795 (11) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

196.795 (11) (b) This section shall be deemed to legalize and confirm the formation, prior to November 28, 1985, of any holding company, which is not itself a public utility, and shall be deemed to legalize and confirm the operations and issuances of securities of the holding company, except that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the commission from imposing reasonable terms, limitations or conditions on any holding company which are consistent with the requirements of sub. (5) (pm) (6m) (c) or (d) or which are consistent with and necessary to satisfy the requirements of sub. (5) (b) to (o) and (q) to (s) or which relate to future investments by the holding company unless the holding company owns, operates, manages or controls a telecommunications utility and does not also own, operate, manage or control a public utility which is not a telecommunications utility.

9,2335yu Section 2335yu. 196.795 (11) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

196.795 (11) (c) The commission may not impose upon a holding company the formation of which is considered to be legalized and confirmed under par. (b) any term, limitation or condition under par. (b) that establishes the sum of the holding company's nonutility affiliate assets at less than 25% of the sum of the holding company's utility affiliate assets. For purposes of this paragraph, any term, limitation or condition on nonutility affiliate assets shall not apply to the ownership, operation, management or control of any eligible asset, as defined under sub. (6m) (a) 2.

9,2335yum Section 2335yum. 196.796 of the statutes is created to read:

196.796 Real estate activities. (1) In this section:

(a) "Brownfields facility or site" means any abandoned, idle or underused industrial or commercial facility or site, the use, expansion or redevelopment of which is adversely affected by actual environmental contamination.

(b) 1. "Commercial construction" means the act of building any structure, or that part of any structure, that is not used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one or more persons maintaining a common household to the exclusion of all others.

2. "Commercial construction" does not include any of the following:

a. Any repair, maintenance, installation or construction of a structure owned or used by or for a public utility, or for a customer of a public utility, if the repair, maintenance, installation or construction is related to furnishing heat, light, water or power to the customer.

b. Any construction related to the evaluation, control or remediation of hazardous substances; solid, liquid or gaseous wastes; soils; air; or water.

c. Any construction performed in order to comply with federal, state or local environmental laws, regulations, orders or rules.

(c) "Economic development" means development that is designed to promote job growth or retention, expand the property tax base or improve the overall economic vitality of a municipality, as defined in s. 30.01 (4), or region.

(d) "Engage" means to actively participate in the daily operations or daily business decisions of an entity. "Engage" does not include taking an action necessary to protect an ownership interest in an entity.