CR 21-049 Hearing Information

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NOTICE OF HEARING

Hearing Date:

Monday, August 2, 2021 – 1:00 p.m.

Hearing Location:

Audiovisual Hearing – No physical location Anyone who wishes to comment appears by audiovisual connection over the internet, or may use the audio-only telephone connection, if no adequate internet connection exists. Alternatively, a person may submit a written comment. Anyone may observe by audiovisual connection over the internet, or by audio-only telephone connection.

The Commission will livestream the audio of this hearing on its website.

Comments Due: Friday, August 6, 2021

Address Comments To:   Steffany Powell Coker Secretary to the Commission Public Service Commission P.O. Box 7854 Madison, WI 53707-7854

NOTICE IS GIVEN that pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.16(5) the Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed rule changes to Wis. Admin. Code ch. 135, Gas Safety, on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. A copy of the draft proposed rules is available on the Commission’s Electronic Records Filing system at PSC REF#: 413556

This hearing has no physical location. Anyone who wishes to comment appears by audiovisual connection over the internet, or may use the audio-only telephone connection, if no adequate internet connection exists. The ALJ may receive an oral comment from anyone in attendance. The ALJ will receive an oral comment by unmuting each member of the public connected, and inviting that person to comment. Alternatively, a person may submit a written comment. Anyone may observe by audiovisual connection over the internet, or by audio-only telephone connection. In addition, the Commission will livestream the audio of this hearing on its website.

To join by audiovisual connection[1]:

Go to:

Zoom at https://zoom.us/

Select:

Join A Meeting

Enter:

pschearings (Personal Link Name)

To join by telephone:

Dial:

[phone]

Enter:

809 513 2930# (Meeting ID)

Each participant shall provide their name, and status as either a party representative, Commission staff, or a member of the public. Each participant using the internet connection shall provide this information in the “Join Meeting” dialog screen, or by renaming the participant’s screenname after gaining admittance to the hearing. Each person connecting by telephone shall provide this information immediately after gaining admittance to the hearing

Upon connecting to the hearing, each participant will enter a waiting room and await admittance to the hearing. Before commencing the hearing, the ALJ will admit each participant who connected before the designated start time. The ALJ will admit each participant who connects after the hearing begins at the earliest opportunity that does not disrupt the hearing. Each member of the public shall remain muted until the ALJ invites that person to comment.

The Commission will livestream the audio of this hearing on its website. The livestream allows anyone with an adequate internet connection to listen to the hearing without joining to it. To access the livestream, go to the Commission’s website at http://psc.wi.gov, and select “Live Broadcast” button.[2] The live broadcast webpage provides neither: (1) an opportunity to make a comment, nor (2) closed captioning.

DOCUMENTS. All documents in this docket are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Records Filing (ERF) system. To view these documents: (1) go to the Commission’s E-Services Portal at http://apps.psc.wi.gov, (2) enter “1-AC-255” in the box labeled “Quick Single Docket Search,” and (3) select “Documents.” [3] To receive electronic notifications when new documents are filed in this docket, go to ERF - EZ Subscriptions and follow the instructions to subscribe to this docket.

WRITTEN COMMENTS. Any person may submit written comments on these proposed rules. The record will be open for written comments from the public, effective immediately, and until Friday, August 6, 2021. All written comments must include a reference on the filing to docket 1-AC-255. File by one mode only.[4]

Any utilities, organizations, or interest groups shall file one comment using the Commission’s ERF system. To file such a comment, go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, and click on the “ERF - Electronic Regulatory Filing” graphic on the side menu bar. On the next page, click on “Need Help?” in the side menu bar for instructions on how to upload a document.

Any member of the public shall file only one comment either through the Commission’s web site or by mail as follows:

•

Web Comment. File a comment on-line. Go to the Commission’s web site at, click on “File a Comment” button. On the next page, select the “File a comment” link that appears for docket number 1-AC-255.[5] Web comments shall be received no later than Friday, August 6, 2021.

•

Mail Comment. Send a comment by U.S. Mail. All comments submitted by U.S. mail shall be received no later than Friday, August 6, 2021. A mail comment shall include the phrase “Docket 1-AC-255 Comments” in the heading, and shall be addressed to:

Docket 1-AC-255 Comments

Public Service Commission

P.O. Box 7854

Madison, WI 53707-7854

The Commission does not accept comments submitted via e-mail or facsimile (fax). Any material submitted to the Commission is a public record and may appear on the Commission’s web site. The Commission may reject a comment that does not comply with the requirements described in this notice.

  INITIAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS. This rulemaking will not affect small businesses. The Wis. Stat. § 227.114 (12) definition of “small business” states that to be considered a small business, the business must not be dominant in its field. Since gas utilities are monopolies in their service territories, they are dominant in their field and are not small businesses. Further, the contract between the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Commission requires that treatment be uniform across the state and across gas pipeline operators. As a result, the Commission cannot make special provisions for small business.

WISCONSIN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT. This is a Type III action under Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 4.10 (3). The Commission has reviewed the potential environmental effects of the project. The proposed revisions will not result in possible significant adverse environmental or social impacts. The preparation of an environmental impact statement under Wis. Stat. §1.11 or an environmental assessment is not necessary.

CONTACT. Questions regarding this matter should be directed to the docket coordinator Alex Kirschling, at [phone] or [e-mail]. Small business questions should be directed to Tara Pray at [phone] or [e-mail]. Media questions should be directed to the Communications Director Jerel Ballard at [phone].

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. The Commission does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the provision of programs, services, or employment. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations to participate in this proceeding or who needs to get this document in a different format should contact the docket coordinator, as indicated in the previous paragraph, as soon as possible.

Dated at Madison, Wisconsin, the 10th day of June, 2021.

By the Commission: