Amendment SSA1-SB459

SB459-SSA1,20,16 (d) Transmission facilities. In a proceeding regarding a request by a public utility under s. 196.49, 196.491 (3), or 196.80, to acquire, construct, install, or operate an electric transmission facility or associated equipment, the commission is not required to find that approval of the proposal would implement the policies under s. 1.12 (4).

SB459-SSA1, s. 63 Section 63. 196.025 (1m) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB459-SSA1,20,18 196.025 (1m) (title) Transmission corridors.

SB459-SSA1, s. 64 Section 64. 196.025 (2) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB459-SSA1,20,20 196.025 (2) (title) Environmental impacts.

SB459-SSA1, s. 65 Section 65. 196.025 (2m) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB459-SSA1,20,22 196.025 (2m) (title) Coordination with department of natural resources.

SB459-SSA1, s. 66 Section 66. 196.025 (3) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB459-SSA1,20,24 196.025 (3) (title) Reliability reports.

SB459-SSA1, s. 67 Section 67. 196.025 (4) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB459-SSA1,21,1 196.025 (4) (title) Small-scale generation incentives.

SB459-SSA1, s. 68 Section 68. 196.025 (5) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB459-SSA1,21,3 196.025 (5) (title) Market power study.

SB459-SSA1, s. 69 Section 69. 196.374 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

SB459-SSA1,21,6 196.374 Energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB459-SSA1,21,8 (a) "Agricultural producer" means a person engaged in an agricultural activity, as defined in s. 101.10 (1) (a).

SB459-SSA1,21,11 (b) "Commitment to community program" means an energy efficiency or load management program by or on behalf of a municipal utility or retail electric cooperative.

SB459-SSA1,21,14 (c) "Customer application of renewable resources" means the generation of energy from renewable resources that takes place on the premises of a customer of an energy utility or municipal utility or a member of a retail electric cooperative.

SB459-SSA1,21,18 (d) "Energy efficiency program" means a program for reducing the usage or increasing the efficiency of the usage of energy by a customer or member of an energy utility, municipal utility, or retail electric cooperative. "Energy efficiency program" does not include load management.

SB459-SSA1,21,20 (e) "Energy utility" means an investor-owned electric or natural gas public utility.

SB459-SSA1,21,25 (f) "Load management program" means a program to allow an energy utility, municipal utility, wholesale electric cooperative, as defined in s. 16.957 (1) (v), retail electric cooperative, or municipal electric company, as defined in s. 66.0825 (3) (d), to control or manage daily or seasonal customer demand associated with equipment or devices used by customers or members.

SB459-SSA1,22,1 (g) "Local unit of government" has the meaning given in s. 23.24 (4) (a) 1.

SB459-SSA1,22,2 (h) "Municipal utility" has the meaning given in s. 16.957 (1) (q).

SB459-SSA1,22,6 (i) "Ordered program" means an energy efficiency or renewable resource program that an energy utility commenced on or after January 1, 2001, under a commission order issued on or after January 1, 2001, and in effect before the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date].

SB459-SSA1,22,10 (j) "Renewable resource" means a resource that derives energy from any source other than coal, petroleum products, nuclear power or, except as used in a fuel cell, natural gas. "Renewable resource" includes resources deriving energy from any of the following:

SB459-SSA1,22,11 1. Solar energy.

SB459-SSA1,22,12 2. Wind power.

SB459-SSA1,22,13 3. Water power.

SB459-SSA1,22,14 4. Biomass.

SB459-SSA1,22,15 5. Geothermal technology.

SB459-SSA1,22,16 6. Tidal or wave action.

SB459-SSA1,22,18 7. Fuel cell technology that uses, as determined by the commission, a renewable fuel.

SB459-SSA1,22,24 (k) "Renewable resource program" means a program for encouraging the development or use of customer applications of renewable resources, including educating customers or members about renewable resources, encouraging customers or members to use renewable resources, and encouraging the transfer of new or emerging technologies from research, development, and demonstration to commercial implementation.

SB459-SSA1,22,25 (L) "Retail electric cooperative" has the meaning given in s. 16.957 (1) (t).

SB459-SSA1,23,4 (m) "Shared savings program" means a program under which a person finances the installation of energy efficiency improvements or renewable resources systems in the facilities of a customer and recovers the cost of the installation from a portion of the cost savings realized by the customer as a result of the installation.

SB459-SSA1,23,5 (n) "Wholesale supplier" has the meaning given in s. 16.957 (1) (w).

SB459-SSA1,23,6 (o) "Wholesale supply percentage" has the meaning given in s. 16.957 (1) (x).

SB459-SSA1,23,14 (2) Energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. (a) Statewide programs. 1. The energy utilities in this state shall collectively establish and fund statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. The energy utilities shall contract, on the basis of competitive bids, with one or more persons to administer the programs. The utilities may not execute a contract under this subdivision unless the commission has approved the contract. The commission shall require each energy utility to spend the amount required under sub. (3) (b) 2. to fund statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs.

SB459-SSA1,23,19 2. The purpose of the programs under this paragraph shall be to help achieve environmentally sound and adequate energy supplies at reasonable cost, consistent with the commission's responsibilities under s. 196.025 (1) (a) and the utilities' obligations under this chapter. The programs shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

SB459-SSA1,23,22 a. Components to address the energy needs of residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional, and industrial energy users and local units of government.

SB459-SSA1,24,6 b. Components to reduce the energy costs incurred by local units of government and agricultural producers, by increasing the efficiency of energy use by local units of government and agricultural producers. The commission shall ensure that not less than 10 percent of the moneys utilities are required to spend under subd. 1. or sub. (3) (b) 2. is spent annually on programs under this subdivision except that, if the commission determines that the full amount cannot be spent on cost-effective programs for local units of government and agricultural producers, the commission shall ensure that any surplus funds be spent on programs to serve commercial, institutional, and industrial customers.

SB459-SSA1,24,10 c. Initiatives and market strategies that address the needs of individuals or businesses facing the most significant barriers to creation of or participation in markets for energy efficient products that the individual or business manufactures or sells or energy efficiency services that the individual or business provides.

SB459-SSA1,24,15 3. The commission may not require an energy utility to administer or fund any energy efficiency or renewable resource program that is in addition to the programs required under subd. 1. and any ordered program of the utility. This subdivision does not limit the authority of the commission to enforce an energy utility's obligations under s. 196.378.

SB459-SSA1,24,22 (b) Utility-administered programs. 1. An energy utility may, with commission approval, administer or fund one or more energy efficiency programs that is limited to large commercial, industrial, institutional, or agricultural customers in its service territory. An energy utility shall pay for a program under this subdivision with a portion of the amount required under sub. (3) (b) 2., as approved by the commission. The commission may not order an energy utility to administer or fund a program under this subdivision.

SB459-SSA1,25,2 2. An energy utility may, with commission approval, administer or fund an energy efficiency or renewable resource program that is in addition to the programs required under par. (a) or authorized under subd. 1. The commission may not order an energy utility to administer or fund a program under this subdivision.

SB459-SSA1,25,7 3. An energy utility that administers or funds a program under subd. 1. or 2. or an ordered program may request, and the commission may approve, to modify or discontinue, in whole or in part, the ordered program. An energy utility shall request the establishment, modification, or discontinuation of a program under subd. 1. or 2. or an ordered program as part of a proceeding under sub. (3) (b) 1.

SB459-SSA1,25,14 (c) Customer programs. A customer of an energy utility may, with commission approval, administer and fund its own energy efficiency programs. A customer that funds a program under this paragraph may deduct the amount of the funding from the amount the customer is required to pay for the energy utility's recovery of amounts under sub. (5) (a) and the energy utility may credit the amount of the funding against the amount the energy utility is required to spend under sub. (3) (b) 2.

SB459-SSA1,25,24 (3) Commission duties. (a) In general. The commission shall have oversight of programs under sub. (2). The commission shall maximize coordination of program delivery, including coordination between programs under subs. (2) (a) 1., (b) 1. and 2., and (c) and (7), ordered programs, low-income weatherization programs under s. 16.957, renewable resource programs under s. 196.378, and other energy efficiency or renewable resource programs. The commission shall cooperate with the department of natural resources to ensure coordination of energy efficiency and renewable resource programs with air quality programs and to maximize and document the air quality improvement benefits that can be realized from energy efficiency and renewable resource programs.

SB459-SSA1,26,9 (b) Programs and funding. 1. At least every 4 years, after notice and opportunity to be heard, the commission shall, by order, evaluate the energy efficiency and renewable resource programs under sub. (2) (a) 1., (b) 1. and 2., and (c) and ordered programs and set or revise goals, priorities, and measurable targets for the programs. The commission shall give priority to programs that moderate the growth in electric and natural gas demand and usage, facilitate markets and assist market providers to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency, promote energy reliability and adequacy, avoid adverse environmental impacts from the use of energy, and promote rural economic development.

SB459-SSA1,26,16 2. The commission shall require each energy utility to spend 1.2 percent of its annual operating revenues to fund the utility's programs under sub. (2) (b) 1., the utility's ordered programs, and the utility's share of the statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs under sub. (2) (a) 1. Subject to approval under subd. 3., the commission may require each energy utility to spend a larger percentage of its annual operating revenues to fund these programs. The commission may make such a requirement based on the commission's consideration of all of the following:

SB459-SSA1,26,20 a. Studies of potential energy-efficiency improvements that could be made in this state, including at least one study completed within the preceding 2 years that provides a prospective 5-year and 10-year estimate of such potential that is cost-effective.

SB459-SSA1,26,22 b. The potential short-term and long-term impacts on electric and natural gas rates and alternative means to mitigate such impacts.

SB459-SSA1,26,25 c. The impact on the continuation and effectiveness of existing energy efficiency and renewable resource programs, and the ability of such programs to capture time-limited and cost-effective energy-efficiency opportunities.

SB459-SSA1,27,2 d. The impact on the reliability and adequacy of systems for the generation and transmission of electricity and the transmission of natural gas.

SB459-SSA1,27,3 e. Societal impacts.

SB459-SSA1,27,5 f. The potential for displacing or delaying construction of electric generating plants and transmission lines.

SB459-SSA1,27,7 g. Economic impacts that are likely to accrue from reducing state and private expenditures on coal, natural gas, fuel oil, and other fossil fuel imports.

SB459-SSA1,27,8 h. Any other relevant factors.

SB459-SSA1,27,23 3. The commission shall submit to the joint committee on finance any proposal to require each energy utility to spend a larger percentage of its annual operating revenues than the percentage specified in subd. 2. (intro.) to fund the programs specified in subd. 2. (intro.). If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the commission within 10 working days after the commission submits such a proposal that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposal, the commission may require each energy utility to spend the percentage specified in the proposal. If, within 10 working days after the commission submits a proposal, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the commission that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposal, but, within 90 days of providing the notice, the committee does not object to the proposal, the commission may require each energy utility to spend the percentage specified in the proposal. If, within 90 days after providing the notice, the committee objects to the proposal, the commission may not require each energy utility to spend the percentage specified in the proposal.

SB459-SSA1,27,24 (c) Reviews and approvals. The commission shall do all of the following:

SB459-SSA1,28,2 1. Review and approve contracts under sub. (2) (a) 1. between the energy utilities and program administrators.

SB459-SSA1,28,7 2. Review requests under sub. (2) (b). The commission may condition its approval of a request under sub. (2) (b) as necessary to protect the public interest. The commission shall approve a request under sub. (2) (b) 1. or 2. if the commission determines that a proposed energy efficiency or renewable resource program is in the public interest and satisfies all of the following:

SB459-SSA1,28,9 a. The program has specific savings targets and performance goals approved by the commission.

SB459-SSA1,28,10 b. The program is subject to independent evaluation by the commission.

SB459-SSA1,28,12 c. Services under the program are provided through 3rd-party market providers on a nondiscriminatory basis.

SB459-SSA1,28,17 (d) Audits. Annually, the commission shall contract with one or more independent auditors to prepare a financial and performance audit of the programs specified in par. (b) 1. The purpose of the performance audit shall be to evaluate the programs and measure the performance of the programs against the goals and targets set by the commission under par. (b) 1.

SB459-SSA1,28,20 (e) Reports. Annually, the commission shall prepare and post on the commission's Internet site a report and submit a summary of not more than 2 pages to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2). The reports shall describe each of the following:

SB459-SSA1,28,23 1. The expenses of the commission, utilities, and program administrators contracted under sub. (2) (a) 1. in administering or participating in the programs under sub. (2) (a) 1.

SB459-SSA1,29,3 2. The effectiveness of the programs specified in par. (b) 1. and sub. (7) in reducing demand for electricity and increasing the use of renewable resources owned by customers or members.

SB459-SSA1,29,4 3. The results of audits under par. (d).

SB459-SSA1,29,5 4. Any other information required by the commission.

SB459-SSA1,29,7 (f) Rules. The commission shall promulgate rules to establish all of the following:

SB459-SSA1,29,11 1. Procedures for energy utilities to collectively contract with program administrators for administration of statewide programs under sub. (2) (a) 1. and to receive contributions from municipal utilities and retail electric cooperatives under sub. (7) (b) 2.

SB459-SSA1,29,14 2. Procedures and criteria for commission review and approval of contracts for administration of statewide programs under sub. (2) (a) 1., including criteria for the selection of program administrators under sub. (2) (a) 1.

SB459-SSA1,29,17 3. Procedures and criteria for commission review and approval of utility-administered programs under sub. (2) (b) 1. and 2., customer programs under sub. (2) (c), and requests under sub. (2) (b) 3.

SB459-SSA1,29,20 4. Minimum requirements for energy efficiency and renewable resource programs under sub. (2) (a) 1. and (b) 1. and 2. and customer energy efficiency programs under sub. (2) (c).

SB459-SSA1,29,24 (4) Discrimination prohibited; competition. (a) In implementing programs under sub. (2) (a) 1., including the awarding of grants or contracts, a person who contracts with the utilities under sub. (2) (a) 1., or a person who subcontracts with such a person:

SB459-SSA1,30,3 1. May not discriminate against an energy utility or its affiliate or a wholesale supplier or its affiliate solely on the basis of its status as an energy utility or its affiliate or wholesale supplier or its affiliate.

SB459-SSA1,30,5 2. Shall provide services to utility customers on a nondiscriminatory basis and subject to a customer's choice.

SB459-SSA1,30,12 (b) An energy utility that provides financing under an energy efficiency program under sub. (2) (b) 1. or 2. for installation, by a customer, of energy efficiency or renewable resource processes, equipment, or appliances, or an affiliate of such a utility, may not sell to or install for the customer those processes, equipment, appliances, or related materials. The customer shall acquire the installation of the processes, equipment, appliances, or related materials from an independent contractor of the customer's choice.

SB459-SSA1,30,15 (5) Cost recovery; equitable distribution. (a) The commission shall ensure in rate-making orders that an energy utility recovers from its ratepayers the amounts the energy utility is required to spend under sub. (3) (b) 2.

SB459-SSA1,30,23 (b) If a ratepayer was required to pay more than $750 for an energy utility's recovery of amounts under s. 196.374 (3), 2003 stats., in any month during 2005, the ratepayer shall pay the energy utility, for the recovery of amounts under par. (a), a monthly amount equal to the monthly average that the ratepayer paid the energy utility in 2005 for recovery under s. 196.374 (3), 2003 stats. Annually, the commission shall increase the amount that a ratepayer of an energy utility is required to pay under this paragraph by a percentage that is the lesser of the following:

SB459-SSA1,30,25 1. The percentage increase in the energy utility's operating revenues during the preceding year.

SB459-SSA1,31,3 2. The percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of labor, during the preceding year.

SB459-SSA1,31,6 (c) The commission may prescribe the accounting treatment of energy utility expenditures required under this section, including the use of any escrow accounting.

SB459-SSA1,31,16 (d) The commission shall ensure that the cost of energy efficiency and renewable resource programs is equitably divided among customer classes so that similarly situated ratepayers contribute equivalent amounts for the programs. The commission shall periodically review the amounts that the ratepayers of an energy utility pay for the recovery of amounts under par. (a) and shall make adjustments that ensure that ratepayers with similar levels of energy costs pay similar amounts. The commission shall also ensure that, on an annual basis, each customer class of an energy utility has the opportunity to receive grants and benefits under energy efficiency programs in an amount equal to the amount that is recovered from the customer class under par. (a).

SB459-SSA1,31,22 (e) The commission shall ensure that customers throughout the state have an equivalent opportunity to receive the benefits of the programs under sub. (2) (a) 1. and (b) 1. The commission shall ensure that statewide programs are designed to ensure that retail customers in areas not served by programs under sub. (2) (b) 1. receive equivalent opportunities as those in areas served by programs under sub. (2) (b) 1.

SB459-SSA1,32,2 (6) Annual statements. Annually, the commission shall prepare a statement that describes the programs under sub. (2) (a) 1., (b) 1. and 2., and (c), and ordered programs, administered or funded by the energy utility and presents cost and benefit information for those programs. An energy utility shall provide each of its customers with a copy of the statement.

SB459-SSA1,32,9 (7) Municipal utilities and retail electric cooperatives. (a) Requirement to charge fees. 1. Each retail electric cooperative and municipal utility shall charge a monthly fee to each customer or member in an amount that is sufficient for the retail electric cooperative or municipal utility to collect an annual average of $8 per meter. A retail electric cooperative or municipal utility may determine the amount that a particular class of customers or members is required to pay under this subdivision and may charge different fees to different classes of customers or members.