AB940,20,2524 3. The independent system operator or independent transmission owner has
25sufficient authority to carry out the duties specified in sub. (3).
AB940,21,5
1(b) A transmission utility that transfers control over its transmission facilities
2to an independent system operator shall, subject to the approval of the applicable
3federal agency, provide reasonable and cost-effective construction, operation and
4maintenance services to the independent system operator that are required for
5operation of the transmission facilities.
AB940, s. 31 6Section 31. 196.491 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,21,8 7196.491 (title) Advance planning of electric Strategic energy
8assessment; electric
generating facilities and transmission lines.
AB940, s. 32 9Section 32. 196.491 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.
AB940, s. 33 10Section 33. 196.491 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,21,1111 196.491 (1) (am) "Affiliated interest" has the meaning given in s. 196.52 (1).
AB940, s. 34 12Section 34. 196.491 (1) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,21,1513 196.491 (1) (bm) "Cooperative association" means a cooperative association
14organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or furnishing
15electric energy at retail or wholesale to its members only.
AB940, s. 35 16Section 35. 196.491 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,21,2417 196.491 (1) (d) "Electric utility" means any public utility, as defined in s.
18196.01, which is involved in the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy,
19and any corporation, company, individual or association, and any cooperative
20association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or
21furnishing electric energy at retail or wholesale to its members only
, which owns or
22operates, or plans within the next 10 3 years to construct, own or operate, bulk
23electric generating facilities, large electric generating
facilities or high-voltage
24transmission lines
in the state.
AB940, s. 36 25Section 36. 196.491 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,22,2
1196.491 (1) (e) "Facility" means a bulk electric generating facility, a large
2electric generating facility or a high-voltage transmission line.
AB940, s. 37 3Section 37. 196.491 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,22,64 196.491 (1) (g) "Large electric generating facility" means electric generating
5equipment and associated facilities designed for nominal operation at a capacity of
6between 12,000 and 300,000 kilowatts 100 megawatts or more.
AB940, s. 38 7Section 38. 196.491 (1) (w) of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,22,108 196.491 (1) (w) "Wholesale merchant plant" means electric generating
9equipment and associated facilities located in this state that do not provide service
10to any retail customer and that are owned and operated by any of the following:
AB940,22,1211 1. Subject to the approval of the commission under sub. (3m) (a), an affiliated
12interest of a public utility.
AB940,22,1313 2. A person that is not a public utility.
AB940, s. 39 14Section 39. 196.491 (2) (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
AB940,22,1515 196.491 (2) (title) Strategic energy assessment.
AB940, s. 40 16Section 40. 196.491 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
17read:
AB940,22,2118 196.491 (2) (a) (intro.) The commission shall prepare a biennial strategic
19energy assessment that evaluates the adequacy and reliability of the state's current
20and future electrical supply. The strategic energy assessment shall do all of the
21following:
AB940, s. 41 22Section 41. 196.491 (2) (a) 1. and 2. of the statutes are repealed.
AB940, s. 42 23Section 42. 196.491 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,23,724 196.491 (2) (a) 3. Identify the location of proposed and alternative specific sites
25for all bulk electric generating facilities and all
and describe large electric generating

1facilities over 200,000 kilowatts for which a certificate of public convenience and
2necessity has not been applied for under sub. (3) but the commencement of whose
3construction is planned within 3 years, or such longer period as the commission
4deems necessary and indicate the impacts of the proposed and alternative
5generating facilities on the environment and the means by which potential adverse
6effects on such values will be avoided or minimized;
on which an electric utility plans
7to commence construction within 3 years.
AB940, s. 43 8Section 43. 196.491 (2) (a) 3g. of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,23,109 196.491 (2) (a) 3g. Assess the adequacy and reliability of purchased generation
10capacity and energy to serve the needs of the public.
AB940, s. 44 11Section 44. 196.491 (2) (a) 3m. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,23,1612 196.491 (2) (a) 3m. Identify the location of tentative and alternative routes for
13and describe high-voltage transmission lines on which an electric utility plans to
14commence
construction is intended to be commenced in the succeeding within 18
15months and indicate the effects of such transmission lines on the environment and
16the means by which potential adverse effects will be avoided or minimized;
.
AB940, s. 45 17Section 45. 196.491 (2) (a) 3r. of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,23,2018 196.491 (2) (a) 3r. Identify and describe any plans for assuring that there is an
19adequate ability to transfer electric power into the state and the transmission area,
20as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (g), in a reliable manner.
AB940, s. 46 21Section 46. 196.491 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,23,2322 196.491 (2) (a) 4. Indicate in detail Identify and describe the projected demand
23for electric energy and the basis for determining the projected demand ;.
AB940, s. 47 24Section 47. 196.491 (2) (a) 5. and 6. of the statutes are repealed.
AB940, s. 48 25Section 48. 196.491 (2) (a) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,24,2
1196.491 (2) (a) 7. Identify and describe existing and planned programs and
2policies
activities to discourage inefficient and excessive power use; and.
AB940, s. 49 3Section 49. 196.491 (2) (a) 8. of the statutes is repealed.
AB940, s. 50 4Section 50. 196.491 (2) (a) 9. to 13. of the statutes are created to read:
AB940,24,65 196.491 (2) (a) 9. Identify and describe existing and planned generating
6facilities that use renewable sources of energy.
AB940,24,97 10. Consider the public interest in economic development, public health and
8safety, protection of the environment and diversification of sources of energy
9supplies.
AB940,24,1110 11. Assess the extent to which the regional bulk-power market is contributing
11to the adequacy and reliability of the state's electrical supply.
AB940,24,1312 12. Assess the extent to which effective competition is contributing to a reliable,
13low-cost and environmentally sound source of electricity for the public.
AB940,24,1514 13. Assess whether sufficient electric capacity and energy will be available to
15the public at a reasonable price.
AB940, s. 51 16Section 51. 196.491 (2) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,24,1917 196.491 (2) (ag) The commission shall promulgate rules that establish
18procedures and requirements for reporting information that is necessary for the
19commission to prepare strategic energy assessments under par. (a).
AB940, s. 52 20Section 52. 196.491 (2) (am) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (2r) and
21amended to read:
AB940,25,222 196.491 (2r) (title) Local ordinances. No local ordinance may prohibit or
23restrict testing activities undertaken by a an electric utility for purposes of preparing
24advance plans or
determining the suitability of a site for the placement of a facility.

1Any local unit of government objecting to such testing may petition the commission
2to impose reasonable restrictions on such activity.
AB940, s. 53 3Section 53. 196.491 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
4read:
AB940,25,75 196.491 (2) (b) (intro.) On or before July 1 biennially, the commission shall
6issue a draft of the biennial strategic energy assessment that it prepares under par.
7(a) to each of the following:
AB940, s. 54 8Section 54. 196.491 (2) (b) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,25,129 196.491 (2) (b) 8. The lower Wisconsin state riverway board if the plan draft
10includes an assessment of the construction, modification or relocation of a
11high-voltage transmission line, as defined in s. 30.40 (3r), that is located in the lower
12Wisconsin riverway as defined in s. 30.40 (15).
AB940, s. 55 13Section 55. 196.491 (2) (b) 9. and 10. of the statutes are created to read:
AB940,25,1514 196.491 (2) (b) 9. Each person that is required to report information to the
15commission under the rules promulgated under par. (ag).
AB940,25,1716 10. The clerk of each city, village, town and county that, as determined by the
17commission, is affected by the assessment.
AB940, s. 56 18Section 56. 196.491 (2) (c) and (d) of the statutes are repealed.
AB940, s. 57 19Section 57. 196.491 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,25,2320 196.491 (2) (e) Any state agency, as defined in s. 16.375 (1), county,
21municipality, town or person may submit written comments on any plan to the
22commission on a strategic energy assessment within 180 90 days after the plan is
23filed
copies of the draft are issued under par. (b).
AB940, s. 58 24Section 58. 196.491 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,26,20
1196.491 (2) (f) Because the planning process for facilities siting otherwise
2incorporates consideration and analysis of environmental impact, s.
Section 1.11 (2)
3(c) shall not apply to advance plans a strategic energy assessment prepared under
4par. (a) but the commission shall prepare a single environmental assessment on all
5plans submitted for approval under par. (a)
the strategic energy assessment, which
6shall include a discussion of generic issues related thereto. Such and environmental
7impacts. The commission shall make the environmental
assessment shall be made
8available to the public at least 30 days prior to the hearing under par. (g). The
9assessment on the plans is different from an environmental impact statement on a
10particular facility in that it need not identify the environmental effects of proposed
11sites for facilities in the plan with the same degree of detail as is required when a
12particular facility is considered for a certificate of public convenience and necessity
13under sub. (3). The assessment need not repeat information included in an
14assessment prepared for a plan submitted under par. (a) on a prior reporting date and
15with respect to which no material additional data is required or as to which there has
16been no material change in circumstances. Applicable portions of such assessment
17may be included by reference in any environmental impact statement prepared by
18the commission, including a statement prepared in connection with the
19consideration of an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity
20under sub. (3).
AB940, s. 59 21Section 59. 196.491 (2) (g) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act
2235
, is amended to read:
AB940,27,2323 196.491 (2) (g) Within 180 No sooner than 30 and no later than 90 days after
24the plan is filed copies of the draft are issued under par. (b), the commission shall hold
25a hearing thereon on the draft which may not be a hearing under s. 227.42 or 227.44.

1The hearing shall be held in an administrative district, established by executive
2order 22, issued August 24, 1970, which the commission determines will be
3significantly affected by facilities proposed in the plan to be constructed in the
4following
on which an electric utility plans to commence construction within 3 years.
5The commission may thereafter adjourn the hearing to other locations or may
6conduct the hearing by interactive video conference or other electronic method.
7Notice of such hearing shall be given by class 1 notice, under ch. 985, published in
8the official state newspaper and such other regional papers of general circulation as
9may be designated by the commission. At such hearing the commission shall briefly
10describe the plan strategic energy assessment and give all interested persons an
11opportunity, subject to reasonable limitations on the presentation of repetitious
12material, to express their views on any aspect of the plan. The presentation of such
13views need not be under oath nor subject to cross-examination. The commission
14shall advise all persons present of their right to express their views orally or in
15writing, under oath or otherwise, and of the legal effect of each such form of testimony

16strategic energy assessment. A record of unsworn testimony the hearing shall be
17made and considered by the commission as comments on the plan strategic energy
18assessment
under par. (e). Persons presenting such views shall not be parties. The
19utility, any state agency, county, municipality, town, or any person whose substantial
20rights may be adversely affected by the testing for or construction of facilities
21described in an advance plan, shall, upon filing written notice setting forth its
22interest at least 10 days in advance, be afforded all the rights of a party in a contested
23case.
AB940, s. 60 24Section 60. 196.491 (2) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,28,5
1196.491 (2) (gm) Based on comments received on a draft, the commission shall
2prepare a final strategic energy assessment within 90 days after a hearing under par.
3(g). The commission shall provide copies of the final strategic energy assessment to
4any state agency, county, municipality, town or other person who submitted
5comments on the draft under par. (e) and to the persons specified in par. (b).
AB940, s. 61 6Section 61. 196.491 (2) (i) to (m) of the statutes are repealed.
AB940, s. 62 7Section 62. 196.491 (2m) (title) of the statutes is repealed.
AB940, s. 63 8Section 63. 196.491 (2m) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (3) (a) 3. a. and
9amended to read:
AB940,29,410 196.491 (3) (a) 3. a. At least 120 days prior to the filing of an application for a
11certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3) for a bulk or large
12electric generating facility, the applicant shall notify the department and the
13commission of its intention to make such application and
At the same time that a
14person files an application under subd. 1., the person shall
provide the department
15with an engineering plan showing the location of the facility, a description of the
16facility, including the major components thereof having of the facility that have a
17significant air, water or solid waste pollution potential, and a description of the
18anticipated effects of such the facility on air and water quality. Within 60 30 days
19thereafter after a person provides an engineering plan, the department shall provide
20the applicant person with a listing of each department permit or approval which, on
21the basis of the information contained in the engineering plan, appears to be required
22for the construction or operation of the facility. The department shall, in consultation
23with the commission, also designate which permits and approvals, or portions
24thereof, must be obtained prior to the issuance of the certificate of public convenience
25and necessity. Such designation shall be based on a finding by the department that

1the granting or denial of the same could significantly affect overall facility design or
2location. At any time prior to the issuance of the certificate of public convenience and
3necessity, the department may, in consultation with the commission, waive the
4necessity of obtaining any such permit or approval in advance of such certificate.
AB940, s. 64 5Section 64. 196.491 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 196.491 (3) (a) 1. and
6amended to read:
AB940,29,257 196.491 (3) (a) 1. No person may commence the construction of a facility unless
8such the person has applied for and received a certificate of public convenience and
9necessity from the commission as provided in this section. An application in the form
10and containing the information required by commission rules for such certificate
11shall be filed with the commission not less than 18 months prior to the
12commencement of construction of a bulk electric generating facility, and not less than

136 months prior to the commencement of construction of a large electric generating
14facility or a high-voltage transmission line. Within 10 days after filing the
15application, the commission shall send a copy of the application to the clerk of each
16municipality and town in which the proposed facility is to be located and to the main
17public library in each such county. The applicant shall apply for any permits or
18approvals required by the department prior to the issuance of a certificate of public
19convenience and necessity within 20 days after the application to the commission.
20An applicant shall make a preliminary application for all other permits and
21approvals specified under sub. (2m). Such preliminary application shall be sufficient
22if it identifies the permits and approvals applied for and contains so much of the
23information required for each such permit or approval as is then available to the
24applicant. Thereafter the applicant shall supply necessary additional engineering
25and design information as it becomes available.
AB940, s. 65
1Section 65. 196.491 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,30,102 196.491 (3) (a) 2. The commission shall determine whether an application filed
3under subd. 1. is complete and, no later than 30 days after the application is filed,
4notify the applicant about the determination. If the commission determines that the
5application is incomplete, the notice shall state the reason for the determination. An
6applicant may supplement and refile an application that the commission has
7determined to be incomplete. There is no limit on the number of times that an
8applicant may refile an application under this subdivision. If the commission fails
9to determine whether an application is complete within 30 days after the application
10is filed, the application shall be considered to be complete.
AB940, s. 66 11Section 66. 196.491 (3) (a) 3. b. of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,31,212 196.491 (3) (a) 3. b. Within 20 days after the department provides a listing
13specified in subd. 3. a. to a person, the person shall apply for the permits and
14approvals identified in the listing. The department shall determine whether an
15application under this subd. 3. b. is complete and, no later than 30 days after the
16application is filed, notify the applicant about the determination. If the department
17determines that the application is incomplete, the notice shall state the reason for
18the determination. An applicant may supplement and refile an application that the
19department has determined to be incomplete. There is no limit on the number of
20times that an applicant may refile an application under this subd. 3. b. If the
21department fails to determine whether an application is complete within 30 days
22after the application is filed, the application shall be considered to be complete. The
23department shall complete action on an application under this subd. 3. b. within 90
24days after the date on which the application is determined or considered to be
25complete. If the department fails to take final action within the 90-day period, the

1department is considered to have issued the permits and approvals identified in the
2listing.
AB940, s. 67 3Section 67. 196.491 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,31,74 196.491 (3) (b) The commission shall hold a public hearing on the an
5application that is determined or considered to be complete in the area affected
6pursuant to s. 227.44. A class 1 notice, under ch. 985, shall be given at least 30 days
7prior to the hearing.
AB940, s. 68 8Section 68. 196.491 (3) (d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,31,129 196.491 (3) (d) (intro.) Except as provided under par. (e) and s. 196.493, the
10commission shall approve an application for a certificate of public convenience and
11necessity shall be approved only if the commission determines that all of the
12following
:
AB940, s. 69 13Section 69. 196.491 (3) (d) 1. of the statutes is repealed.
AB940, s. 70 14Section 70. 196.491 (3) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,31,1715 196.491 (3) (d) 2. The proposed facility is necessary to satisfy satisfies the
16reasonable needs of the public for an adequate supply of electric energy. This
17subdivision does not apply to a wholesale merchant plant.
AB940, s. 71 18Section 71. 196.491 (3) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,32,219 196.491 (3) (d) 3. The design and location or route is in the public interest
20considering alternative sources of supply, alternative locations or routes, individual
21hardships, engineering, economic, safety, reliability and environmental factors,
22except that the commission may not consider alternative sources of supply or
23engineering or economic factors if the application is for a wholesale merchant plant
.
24In its consideration of environmental factors, the commission may not determine

1that the design and location or route is not in the public interest because of the impact
2of air pollution if the proposed facility will meet the requirements of ch. 285.
AB940, s. 72 3Section 72. 196.491 (3) (d) 7. of the statutes is created to read:
AB940,32,54 196.491 (3) (d) 7. The proposed facility will not have a material adverse impact
5on competition in the relevant wholesale electric service market.
AB940, s. 73 6Section 73. 196.491 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB940,32,137 196.491 (3) (e) If the application does not meet the criteria under par. (d), the
8commission shall reject the application or approve the application with such
9modifications as are necessary for an affirmative finding under par. (d). The
10commission may not issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity until the
11department has issued all permits and approvals designated under sub. (2m) as
12necessary prior to the issuance of the certificate of public convenience and necessity

13identified in the listing specified in par. (a) 3. a.
AB940, s. 74 14Section 74. 196.491 (3) (f) and (ff) of the statutes are repealed.
AB940, s. 75 15Section 75. 196.491 (3) (g) (intro.) and 1. of the statutes are consolidated,
16renumbered 196.491 (3) (g) 1. and amended to read:
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