Current Cases
Nelson Dewey Power Plant
Docket 6680-CE-170
On February 7, 2007, WPL filed an application for a construction permit for a 300 MW coal plant at its Nelson Dewey site on the shore of the Mississippi River near Cassville. The plant and related facilities would cost at least $1.26 billion, up from Alliant's original estimate of $777 million. CUB and Clean Wisconsin worked together to oppose this power plant, because it would increase Wisconsin's emission of global warming pollution, and would threaten ratepayers with higher rates due to the likelihood that global warming pollution will be regulated in the future.
The Commission decided the case on November 11, 2008, unanimously rejecting WPL's proposed power plant. The Commission agreed with CUB and Clean Wisconsin that the plant would be too expensive and too polluting compared to alternatives, such as purchasing power from other utilities or expanding existing plants that burn natural gas. This was a huge victory for CUB and Clean Wisconsin; this was the first time the Commission rejected a utility proposal for a large power plant.
Wisconsin Power & Light (dba Alliant Energy)
Rate Case for 2009-2010 Rates
Docket 6680-UR-116
On February 22, 2008, WPL filed an application to raise its electric and gas rates starting January 2009. WPL asked to raise electric rates by $144 million, or 9% in 2009 and 4% in 2010. Gas charges (excluding the cost of the gas itself) would decline by 1%. WPL stated that the electric rate increase is needed because of rising fuel costs, costs for new transmission projects, costs for a new wind farm, and costs related to the Nelson Dewey power plant (which has not been approved).
CUB intervened in the case to urge the PSC and the utility to reduce rates for residential customers, who have been paying too much when compared to commercial and industrial customers. CUB also urged the utility to offer new rate options so that consumers could reduce their energy use and save money on their energy bills.
Due to rapidly falling natural gas prices, WPL, CUB, and other intervenors agreed to a settlement in which rates would remain unchanged for 2009. The PSC accepted this settlement on December 23, 2008.
Wisconsin Public Service Corp.
Rate Case for 2009-2010 Rates
Docket 6690-UR-119
On April 1, 2008, WPS filed an application to raise its electric and gas rates starting January 2009. WPS asked to raise electric rates by $107 million, or 8% in 2009. Gas charges (excluding the cost of the gas itself) would increase by 2%. WPS stated that the electric rate increase is needed because of rising fuel costs, costs for new transmission projects, costs for a new wind farm, and costs related to the new Weston 4 power plant.
As a part of this case, CUB has entered into an agreement with WPS to greatly increase investments in energy efficiency programs for customers. WPS has agreed to ramp up its support for Focus on Energy over the next four years from about $12 million per year to $36 million per year. WPS will also test new rate designs and load management opportunities for customers through 3-year pilots operating in three communities served by WPS; the communities have not been chosen at this time. WPS has also agreed to knock off $2 million from rates charged to residential and commercial customers. In exchange, WPS can "decouple" its sales of electricity from the profits it is authorized to collect.
Due to rapidly falling natural gas prices, WPS, CUB, and other intervenors agreed to a settlement in which rates would remain unchanged for 2009. The PSC accepted this settlement on December 23, 2008. The Commission also accepted the agreement between WPS and CUB regarding decoupling, but the Commission added "conditions" to the agreement that may make it unworkable. WPS and CUB will likely ask the PSC to reconsider these conditions.
We Energies
Rate Case for 2008 & 2009 Rates
Docket 05-UR-103
In a follow-up to this rate case, CUB is working with We Energies on alternative rate designs, which would encourage customers to use less electricity. This work will continue during 2009.
Public Service Commission
Telephone Deregulation
Docket 05-TI-1777
The PSC has opened an investigation regarding whether and to what extent regulations for local telephone service should be changed. CUB submitted comments on March 25, 2008 asking that the PSC consider policies that would make broadband Internet service more available and more affordable. CUB also suggested that consumer protections for any type of telecommunication service should be strengthened. CUB attended a PSC technical conference on May 28, 2008. CUB's expert witness Mark Cooper met with PSC staff on September 25, 2008 to provide staff with CUB's viewpoint regarding universal service and broadband. The PSC has delayed issuing a draft report due to pending decisions by the Federal Communications Commission.
American Transmission Company
Rockdale-West Middleton Transmission Line
Docket 137-CE-147
ATC has applied for permission to build a 60 mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line across southern and central Dane County. CUB will likely provide testimony at a public hearing regarding whether the cost of the line is reasonable.
Northern States Power-Wisconsin (dba Xcel Energy)
Gasifier at Bayfront Power Plant
Docket 4220-CE-169
NSP intends to add a biomass gasifier at its Bayfront facility so that it can burn biogas instead of coal. However, NSP may request the use of "fixed financial parameters," which would fix returns on equity for the life of the facility, instead of allowing the PSC to adjust Return on equity to balance the interests of ratepayers and utility shareholders. CUB will likely intervene in this docket to oppose the use of fixed financial parameters.
Wisconsin Power & Light (dba Alliant Energy)
Retrofit of Edgewater 5
Docket 05-CE-137
On November 14, 2008, WPL and co-owner We Energies applied for permission from the Commission to add pollution controls to Edgewater Unit #5, a 430 megawatt coal-burner on Lake Michigan near Sheboygan. The pollution controls would cost a minimum of $153 million. CUB and Clean Wisconsin will work together in this case to make sure the cost of the retrofit would be reasonable, or whether it would make more sense to shut the unit down due to the increasing costs for global warming and air pollution controls on coal plants.
We Energies
Declaratory Ruling
Docket 6630-DR-105
On November 5, 2008 We Energies submitted a request for a "declaratory ruling" by the Commission to approve plans and future costs associated with meeting Wisconsin's requirement for renewable electricity. CUB will intervene in this docket, challenging We Energies request for a declaratory ruling, which if granted, would provide We Energies with a "blank check" for meeting renewable electricity requirements.
Public Service Commission
Gas Service Standards
Docket 1-AC-210
The PSC is revising the section of its administrative code that defines the standards by which utilities provide natural gas to retail customers, including issues of safety, service calls, customer service, disconnections, and reconnections. CUB is intervening to make sure customer needs are protected in this revision. On June 30, 2008, CUB submitted comments on proposed changes to the gas service rules codified in PSC 134. The Commission has taken no further action.
We Energies
Glacier Hills Wind Farm
Docket 6630-CE-302
On June 18, 2008, We Energies submitted a request to the Commission for authorization to build a 200 megawatt wind farm (expected cost of $500 million) in Columbia County. CUB will intervene in this docket to make sure the cost of the project is reasonable.
Public Service Commission
Energy Efficiency Cost Allocation
Docket 05-UI-113
On June 13, 2008, the Commission opened an investigation into how to allocate the costs among ratepayers of energy efficiency programs such as Focus on Energy. The issues are how much should customers of each utility pay, and how much should residential customers pay versus industrial customers. CUB submitted comments on July 7, 2008.
On December 20, 2008, the Commission issued draft legislative language that would require industrial customers to cover the costs of the energy efficiency and renewable energy services provided to them by Focus on Energy (currently, some industrial customers are not paying their fair share). The Commission's decision largely agreed with the position advocated by CUB.
Wisconsin Power & Light (dba Alliant Energy)
Bent Tree Wind Farm
Docket 6680-CE-173
On June 6, 2008, WPL requested authorization from the Commission to build a 200 megawatt wind farm in Minnesota, at an expected cost of $500 million. The Commission issued an interim order agreeing with WPL that, since the wind farm would be built in Minnesota, WPL would not need to receive a "certificate of public convenience and necessity," (CPCN) which is required for any proposed power plant of 100 megawatts or larger, or any high-voltage power line. CPCNs require a more rigorous economic and environmental review, and CUB believes that a project of this size and cost deserves the highest level of scrutiny by the PSC. CUB, Clean Wisconsin, and RENEW are working together in this case to determine if there are more economical and environmentally acceptable alternatives to WPL's proposal.
Public Service Commission
Decoupling
Docket 05-UI-114
On June 3, 2008, the PSC opened an investigation into whether ratepayers would benefit if utilities were able to "decouple" revenues from sales of electricity and gas. Decoupling is a controversial issue, because it can reduce risk for utilities regarding recovery of revenues from ratepayers, but this reduced risk may not be factored into reduced utility profit levels (less risk should result in lower profits). Proponents argue that decoupling could make utilities more willing partners in energy efficiency programs. CUB, along with Clean Wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin, submitted comments on July 22, 2008. Activity in this docket will likely resume in 2009.
Public Service Commission
Rate Design
Docket 05-UI-116
On May 16, 2008, the PSC opened an investigation in alternative rate designs and load management. CUB, along with Clean Wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin, will submit comments later in 2009.
Public Service Commission
Energy Efficiency Goals
Docket 05-UI-115
On April 3, 2008, the PSC opened an investigation regarding the budget for the Focus on Energy program, and to establish goals for the amount of energy to be saved through the program. CUB, along with Clean Wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin, will submit comments later in 2009.
Public Service Commission
Reserve Margin for Generation
Docket 05-EI-141
The PSC asked for comments on whether the "electric capacity planning reserve margin" of 18 percent should be reduced. CUB, Clean Wisconsin, and RENEW Wisconsin submitted comments asking the PSC to lower the planning reserve margin to 15 percent; utilities would need fewer power plants to meet electricity needs, and fewer power plants would lead to lower rates. The comments were submitted on March 28, 2008. The Commission issued an order on October 9, 2008 reducing the reserve margin to 14.5 percent, along the recommendations of CUB, Clean Wisconsin, and RENEW Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Power & Light (dba Alliant Energy)
Retrofit of Nelson Dewey 1&2
Docket 6680-CE-172
On January 15, 2008, WPL updated its application for authorization from the PSC to add pollution controls to units 1 and 2 at the Nelson Dewey power plant near Cassville. CUB has intervened to make sure the cost of the retrofit would be reasonable, or whether it would make more sense to shut the units down.
Public Service Commission
Fuel Rules
Docket 1-AC-224
In February 2006, the commission requested comments from CUB, the utilities, and other stakeholders on whether the "fuel rules" need to be changed given the volatility in natural gas prices. The draft rules have serious problems: they would raise rates for consumers, require far more proceedings at the PSC (straining Commission staff and intervenor resources), and violate existing statutes prohibiting automatic adjustment clauses and retroactive ratemaking. Given opposition from customer groups, and the unwillingness by legislators up for re-election to take up a rulemaking that would raise rates, the Commission has postponed further action on these rules until 2009.
Public Service Commission
Cost of Service
Docket 05-EI-137
In October 2005, CUB and the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group submitted joint comments on how utility costs should be allocated to customers, and how rates should be designed to recover these costs. CUB and WIEG are traditionally at odds on these issues, but we submitted joint comments showing where we agree and disagree. There has been no action in this docket for several years.
Public Service Commission
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator
Docket 9300-EI-100
A new market for wholesale electricity opened on April 1, 2005 for many utilities in the Midwest, including most of Wisconsin's utilities. CUB will represent residential consumer interests at the Midwest ISO.
