196.02(4)(a)(a) The commission may inquire into the management of the business of all public utilities. The commission shall keep itself informed as to the manner and method in which the same is conducted. The commission may obtain from any public utility any information necessary to enable the commission to perform its duties.
196.02(4)(b)
(b) Each public utility shall furnish to the commission, in such form and at such times as the commission requires, the following information respecting the identity of the holders of its voting capital stock in order to enable the commission to determine whether the holders constitute an affiliated interest within the meaning of this chapter:
196.02(4)(b)1.
1. The names of each holder of one percent or more of the voting capital stock of the public utility.
196.02(4)(b)2.
2. The nature of the property right or other legal or equitable interest which the holder has in the stock.
196.02(4)(b)3.
3. Any other similarly relevant information which the commission prescribes and directs.
196.02(4)(c)
(c) If any public utility fails to furnish the commission with information required of it by the commission, the commission may issue an order directing the delinquent public utility to furnish the information immediately or to show good cause why the information cannot be obtained. Failure of any public utility to comply with the order of the commission is a violation of this chapter within the meaning of
s. 196.66.
196.02(5)
(5) Inspect books. The commission or any commissioner or any person employed by the commission for that purpose may, upon demand, inspect the books, accounts, papers, records and memoranda of any public utility, and examine under oath any officer, agent or employee of the public utility in relation to its business and affairs. Any person, other than one of the commissioners, who makes a demand shall produce his or her authority to make the inspection.
196.02(5m)
(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.
196.02(6)
(6) Production of records. The commission may require, by order or subpoena served on any public utility as a summons is served in circuit court, the production within this state at the time and place the commission designates of any books, accounts, papers or records kept by the public utility outside the state, or verified copies in lieu thereof, if the commission orders. If a public utility fails or refuses to comply with the order or subpoena, for each day of the failure or refusal the public utility shall forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $500.
196.02(7)
(7) Commission initiative. In any matter within its jurisdiction, including, but not limited to,
chs. 197 and
201 and this chapter, the commission may initiate, investigate and order a hearing at its discretion upon such notice as it deems proper.
196.02(8)
(8) Employ counsel. The commission may employ counsel in any proceeding, investigation, hearing or trial had by it or in which it is a party, and the expenses thereby incurred shall be charged to the commission's appropriation.
196.02(9)
(9) Technicalities disregarded. Substantial compliance with the requirements of the statutes shall be sufficient to make effective any rule, regulation, order or action of the commission. No rule, regulation, order or action of the commission is invalid for any omission of a technical nature.
196.02(10)
(10) Commission notices; certifications. Any notice of investigation or hearing or certification to a copy of a record of the commission may be issued or certified by any member of the commission or by its secretary or assistant secretary.
196.02(12)
(12) Sue; be sued. The commission may sue and be sued in its own name, and may confer with or participate in any proceedings before any regulatory agency of any other state or of the federal government.
196.02 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also
PSC, Wis. adm. code.
196.02 Annotation
The PSC has authority to order a utility to refund compensation collected in violation of its filed tariffs. GTE North Inc. v. PSC
176 Wis. 2d 559,
500 N.W.2d 284 (1993).
196.02 Annotation
Public service commission ordered rebates for inadequate service. 1976 WLR 584.
196.025
196.025
Duties of the commission. 196.025(1)(ar)
(ar)
Consideration of energy priorities. Except as provided in
pars. (b) to
(d), to the extent cost-effective, technically feasible and environmentally sound, the commission shall implement the priorities under
s. 1.12 (4) in making all energy-related decisions and orders, including strategic energy assessment, rate setting and rule-making orders.
196.025(1)(b)1.1. In a proceeding in which an investor-owned electric public utility is a party, the commission shall not order or otherwise impose energy conservation or efficiency requirements on the investor-owned electric public utility if the commission has fulfilled all of its duties under
s. 196.374 and the investor-owned electric public utility has satisfied the requirements of
s. 196.374 for the year prior to commencement of the proceeding, as specified in
s. 196.374 (8).
196.025(1)(b)2.
2. In a proceeding in which a wholesale supplier is a party, the commission shall not order or otherwise impose energy conservation or efficiency requirements on the wholesale supplier if the commission has fulfilled all of its duties under
s. 196.374 and the wholesale supplier's members are in the aggregate substantially in compliance with
s. 196.374 (7).
196.025(1)(c)1.1. In a proceeding in which an investor-owned electric public utility is a party, the commission shall not order or otherwise impose any renewable resource requirements on the investor-owned electric public utility if the commission has fulfilled all of its duties under
s. 196.378 and the commission has informed the utility under
s. 196.378 (2) (c) that, with respect to the most recent report submitted under
s. 196.378 (2) (c), the utility is in compliance with the requirements of
s. 196.378 (2) (a) 2.
196.025(1)(c)2.
2. In a proceeding in which a wholesale supplier is a party, the commission shall not order or otherwise impose any renewable resource requirements on the wholesale supplier if the commission has fulfilled all of its duties under
s. 196.378 and the wholesale supplier's members are in the aggregate substantially in compliance with
s. 196.378 (2).
196.025(1)(d)
(d)
Transmission facilities. In a proceeding regarding a request by a public utility or wholesale supplier to acquire, construct, install, or operate an electric transmission facility or associated equipment, the commission shall not order or otherwise impose requirements on the public utility or wholesale supplier.
196.025(1m)
(1m) Transmission corridors. 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.
196.025(2)
(2) Environmental impacts. 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:
196.025(2)(a)
(a) Standards for determining the necessity of preparing an environmental impact statement.
196.025(2)(b)
(b) Adequate opportunities for interested persons to be heard on environmental impact statements, including adequate time for the preparation and submission of comments.
196.025(2)(c)
(c) Deadlines that allow thorough review of environmental issues without imposing unnecessary delays in addressing the need for additional electric transmission capacity in this state.
196.025(2m)
(2m) Coordination with department of natural resources. 196.025(2m)(a)2.
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.
196.025(2m)(b)
(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:
196.025(2m)(b)1.
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.
196.025(2m)(b)2.
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.
196.025(2m)(b)3.
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.
196.025(2m)(c)
(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.
196.025(3)
(3) Reliability reports. The commission shall promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for electric utilities, as defined under
s. 196.491 (1) (d), to file reports with the commission, on a frequency that the commission determines is reasonably necessary, on their current reliability status, including the status of operating and planning reserves, available transmission capacity and outages of major operational units and transmission lines. A report filed under the rules promulgated under this subsection is subject to inspection and copying under
s. 19.35 (1), except that the commission may withhold the report from inspection and copying for a period of time that the commission determines is reasonably necessary to prevent an adverse impact on the supply or price of energy in this state.
196.025(4)(a)(a) In consultation with the department of administration and the department of revenue, the commission shall study the establishment of a program for providing incentives for the development of high-efficiency, small-scale electric generating facilities in this state that do either of the following:
196.025(4)(a)1.
1. Provide benefits in the form of support for electric distribution or transmission systems, power quality or environmental performance.
196.025(4)(a)2.
2. Employ technologies such as combined heat and power systems, fuel cells, microturbines, or photovoltaic systems that may be situated in, on, or next to buildings or other electric load centers.
196.025(4)(b)
(b) No later than January 1, 2001, the commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations under
par. (a) to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under
s. 13.172 (3).
196.025(5)(ag)(ag) In this subsection, "electric cooperative" means a cooperative association organized under
ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or furnishing electric energy at retail or wholesale to its members only.
196.025(5)(ar)
(ar) The commission shall contract with an expert consultant in economics to conduct a study on the potential for horizontal market power, including the horizontal market power of electric generators, to frustrate the creation of an effectively competitive retail electricity market in this state and to make recommendations on measures to eliminate such market power on a sustainable basis. The study shall include each of the following:
196.025(5)(ar)1.
1. An assessment of the effect of each recommendation on public utility workers and shareholders and electric cooperative workers and members.
196.025(5)(ar)1m.
1m. An assessment of the effect of each recommendation on rates for each class of public utility customers and electric cooperative members.
196.025(5)(ar)2.
2. An evaluation of the impact of transmission constraints on the market power of electric generators in local areas.
196.025(5)(b)
(b) No later than January 1, 2001, the commission shall submit a report of the results of the study under
par. (ar) to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under
s. 13.172 (3).
196.025(6)(a)1.
1. "Communications provider" means a person that provides communications service.
196.025(6)(a)2.
2. "Communications service" means active retail voice communications service.
196.025(6)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., a communications provider shall impose a monthly fee of $0.75 on each communications service connection with an assigned telephone number, including a communication service provided via a voice over Internet protocol connection. If a communications provider provides multiple communications service connections to a subscriber, the communications provider shall impose a separate fee under this subdivision on each of the first 10 connections and one additional fee for each 10 additional connections per billed account. A communications provider may list the fee separately from other charges on a subscriber's bill, and if a communications provider does so, the communications provider shall identify the fee as "police and fire protection fee," or, if the communications provider combines the fee with a charge imposed under
s. 256.35 (3), the communications provider shall identify the combined fee and charge as "charge for funding countywide 911 systems plus police and fire protection fee." Any partial payment of a fee by a subscriber shall first be applied to any amount the subscriber owes the communications provider for communications service.
196.025(6)(b)2.
2. A communications provider that offers a prepaid wireless telecommunications plan, or a retailer that offers such a plan on behalf of a communications provider, shall impose a fee equal to $0.38 on each retail transaction for such a plan that occurs in this state. A communications provider or retailer may state the amount of the fee separately on a bill for the retail transaction, and if a communications provider or retailer does so, the communications provider or retailer shall identify the fee as "police and fire protection fee."
196.025(6)(c)1.1. Except as provided in
subd. 2., no later than the first calendar month following the calendar month in which a communications provider or retailer receives from a subscriber a fee imposed under
par. (b), the communications provider or retailer shall remit the fee to the commission.
196.025(6)(c)2.
2. The commission may contract with the department for the collection of fees imposed under
par. (b) 2. If the commission and department enter into such a contract, no later than the first calendar month following the calendar month in which a communications provider or retailer receives from a subscriber a fee imposed under
par. (b) 2., the communications provider or retailer shall remit the fee to the department.
196.025(6)(c)3.
3. The commission and department shall deposit all fees remitted under
subds. 1. and
2. into the police and fire protection fund.
196.025(6)(d)2.
2. Bring an action to collect any amount that is required to be remitted under
par. (c).
196.025 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PSC 172, Wis. adm. code.
196.025 Note
NOTE: 1993 Wis. Act 414, which creates this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.
196.025 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also
PSC, Wis. adm. code.
196.027
196.027
Environmental trust financing. 196.027(1)(a)
(a) "Ancillary agreement" means any bond insurance policy or other financial arrangement entered into in connection with the issuance of environmental trust bonds.
196.027(1)(b)
(b) "Assignee" means any person to which an interest in environmental control property is sold, assigned, transferred, or conveyed and any successor to such a person.
196.027(1)(c)
(c) "Energy utility" means a public utility engaged in the transmission, delivery, or furnishing of natural gas by means of pipes or mains or of heat, light, or power.
196.027(1)(d)
(d) "Environmental control activity" means any of the following:
196.027(1)(d)1.
1. The construction, installation, or otherwise putting into place of environmental control equipment in connection with an energy utility plant that, before March 30, 2004, has been used to provide service to customers.
196.027(1)(d)2.
2. The retiring of any existing plant, facility, or other property to reduce, control, or eliminate environmental pollution in accordance with federal or state law.
196.027(1)(e)
(e) "Environmental control charge" means a charge paid by customers of an energy utility or its successors for the energy utility to recover environmental control costs and financing costs.
196.027(1)(f)
(f) "Environmental control cost" means capital cost, including capitalized cost relating to regulatory assets, incurred or expected to be incurred by an energy utility in undertaking an environmental control activity and, with respect to an environmental control activity described in
par. (d) 2., includes the unrecovered value of property that is retired, including any demolition or similar cost that exceeds the salvage value of the property. "Environmental control cost" does not include any monetary penalty, fine, or forfeiture assessed against an energy utility by a government agency or court under a federal or state environmental statute, rule, or regulation.
196.027(1)(g)
(g) "Environmental control equipment" means any device, equipment, structure, process, facility, or technology, owned or controlled by an energy utility, that is designed for the primary purpose of preventing, reducing, or remediating environmental pollution.
196.027(1)(h)
(h) "Environmental control property" means all of the following:
