Chapter 196

196.137(1)(a) (a) “Customer information” means any information received from customers which serves to identify customers individually by usage or account status.

196.137(1)(b) (b) “Municipal utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.377 (2) (a) 3.

196.137(2) (2) Prohibition. A municipal utility may not release customer information to any person except with the consent of the customer obtained on a form specified under sub. (4), or except to any of the following:

196.137(2)(a) (a) Agents, vendors, partners, or affiliates of the municipal utility that are engaged to perform any services or functions for or on behalf of the municipal utility.

196.137(2)(ae) (ae) In connection with an issue of municipal securities and to the extent the municipal utility determines release is necessary to comply with securities disclosure obligations, a lender or a purchaser, or potential purchaser, of or investor, or potential investor, in municipal securities.

196.137(2)(am) (am) In connection with the preparation of real estate closing documents, a title agent, insurer, lender, mortgage broker, or attorney providing legal services.

196.137(2)(ap) (ap) In connection with a real estate transaction or appraisal of real property, a real estate broker or salesperson licensed under ch. 452 or an appraiser certified or licensed under ch. 458.

196.137(2)(as) (as) In connection with the foreclosure of real property, a lender or prospective purchaser.

196.137(2)(b) (b) Transmission and distribution utilities and operators within whose geographic service territory the customer is located.

196.137(2)(c) (c) The commission or any person whom the commission authorizes by order or rule to receive the customer information.

196.137(2)(cm) (cm) An owner of a rental dwelling unit to whom the municipal utility provides notice of past-due charges pursuant to s. 66.0809 (5).

196.137(2)(cr) (cr) An owner of real property provided with municipal utility service or the owner’s designated agent or representative.

196.137(2)(d) (d) Any person who is otherwise authorized by law to receive the customer information.

196.137(3) (3) Public record exception. Customer information is not subject to inspection or copying under s. 19.35.

196.137(4) (4) Consent form. No later than April 1, 2014, the commission shall specify a form for a municipal utility to obtain a customer’s consent to the release of customer information.

196.137(5) (5) Customer postcards. A municipal utility that sends a billing statement to a customer on a postcard does not violate the prohibition under sub. (2).

196.137 History History: 2013 a. 25, 47, 134.

196.14 196.14 Public record exception. The commission may withhold from public inspection any information which would aid a competitor of a public utility in competition with the public utility.

196.14 History History: 1983 a. 53; 1985 a. 236, 297.

196.14 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 19.36 for other public record exceptions.

196.15 196.15 Units of product or service. The commission shall prescribe for each kind of public utility, other than a telecommunications utility, suitable and convenient standard commercial units of product or service.

196.15 History History: 1993 a. 496.

196.15 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.16 196.16 Standard measurements; accurate appliances.

196.16(1) (1) The commission shall fix adequate and serviceable standards for the measurement of quality, pressure, initial voltage or other condition pertaining to the supply of the product or service rendered by a public utility. The commission shall prescribe reasonable regulations for measurement, examination and testing of the product or service.

196.16(2) (2) The commission shall establish reasonable rules, regulations, specifications and standards to secure the accuracy of all meters and appliances for measurement of public utility service.

196.16(3) (3) This section does not limit any power of a municipal governing body under s. 196.58.

196.16 History History: 1983 a. 53; 1997 a. 254.

196.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.17 196.17 Tests of meters; fees.

196.17(1) (1) The commission shall provide for the examination and testing of every appliance used for measuring any product or service of a public utility.

196.17(2) (2) Any consumer may have an appliance tested under this section upon payment of a fee fixed by the commission.

196.17(3) (3) The commission shall establish a reasonable fee to be paid for testing appliances under this section if a consumer requests the test. The fee shall be paid by the consumer at the time of his or her request, but shall be repaid to the consumer if the appliance is found to be defective or incorrect to the disadvantage of the consumer.

196.17(4) (4) The commission may purchase materials, apparatus and standard measuring instruments for examinations and tests under this section.

196.17 History History: 1983 a. 53.

196.17 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.171 196.171 Examination of meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works; entering buildings for.

196.171(1) (1) Any officer or agent of any public utility furnishing or transmitting water, gas or electric current to the public or for public purposes may enter, at any reasonable time, any place supplied with gas, electricity or water by the public utility, for the purpose of inspecting, examining, repairing, installing or removing the meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works for supplying or regulating the supply of gas, electricity or water and for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of gas, electricity or water supplied.

196.171(2) (2) No officer or agent of a public utility may enter any premises under this section unless the officer or agent:

196.171(2)(a) (a) Was duly appointed by the public utility for the purpose of acting under this section.

196.171(2)(b) (b) Exhibits written authority signed by the president, by a vice president and secretary, or by a vice president and assistant secretary of the public utility. The authority of any officer or agent of a municipally owned public utility shall be signed by the commissioner of public works or by any other official in charge of the public utility.

196.171(3) (3) Any person who directly or indirectly prevents or hinders any officer or agent from entering a premises, or from making an inspection, examination, removal or installation under this section shall be fined not more than $25 for each offense.

196.171 History History: 1983 a. 53.

196.171 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. PSC 113.0611, 134.15, and 185.41, Wis. adm. code.

196.175 196.175 Construction and occupancy standards. The commission may not establish or enforce construction or occupancy standards applicable to any public building, as defined in s. 101.01 (12), dwelling, as defined in s. 101.71 (2) or any occupancy standard applicable to any place of employment as defined in s. 101.01 (11).

196.175 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (4); 1995 a. 27.

196.18 196.18 Entry upon premises. The commission, its agents, experts or examiners may enter any premises occupied by a public utility to make any examination or test under this chapter and may set up and use on the premises any apparatus or appliance and occupy reasonable space for the examination or test.

196.18 History History: 1983 a. 53.

196.19 196.19 Publish schedules; regulations; files; joint rates.

196.19(1) (1) Each public utility shall file with the commission schedules showing all rates, tolls and charges which it has established and which are in force at the time for any service performed by it within the state, or for any service in connection therewith or performed by any public utility controlled or operated by it. The rates, tolls and charges shown on such schedules may not be changed except as provided under this chapter.

196.19(2) (2) Every public utility shall file with and as a part of such schedule all rules and regulations that, in the judgment of the commission, in any manner affect the service or product, or the rates charged or to be charged for any service or product, as well as any contracts, agreements or arrangements relating to the service or product or the rates to be charged for any service or product to which the schedule is applicable as the commission may by general or special order direct.

196.19(3) (3) A copy of as much of the schedules filed under sub. (1) as the commission determines necessary for the use of the public shall be produced in plain type, kept on file at the public utility, and made available to the public at least 10 days before the schedules take effect, unless the commission prescribes a shorter time period. In making a copy available to the public, a public utility may make the copy available at locations where customer payments are accepted, on the public utility’s Internet site, or in a form and place that is otherwise readily accessible to the public.

196.19(4) (4) If a schedule of joint rates or charges is in force between public utilities, the schedule shall be filed with the commission under sub. (1). The commission shall determine the portion of the schedule necessary for the use of the public. The public utilities shall make the portion of the schedule available to the public as provided under sub. (3).

196.19(6) (6) The commission may prescribe the form in which any schedule is issued under this section by any public utility.

196.19 History History: 1983 a. 53 ss. 28, 35; 1985 a. 297; 1993 a. 496; 1999 a. 9; 2011 a. 22; 2013 a. 125.

196.19 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.191 196.191 Telecommunications utility and alternative telecommunications utility tariffs.

196.191(1) (1) No later than the 90th day beginning after June 9, 2011, any telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility that provides intrastate switched access service within this state shall at all times have on file with the commission a tariff showing all rates, tolls, and charges that it has established and that are in force for such intrastate switched access service. The absence of such a tariff before the 90th day beginning after June 9, 2011, shall not prohibit a telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility from charging intrastate switched access rates for any intrastate switched access service that it provides, or limit or excuse any entity from its obligation to pay intrastate switched access rates, provided that such intrastate switched access rates comply with the requirements of ss. 196.212 and 196.219 (2r). A telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility may not withdraw a tariff for switched access service once the tariff is in effect. Except as allowed under this section or to comply with ss. 196.212 and 196.219 (2r), a telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility may not file to change the rates, tolls, and charges shown in a tariff for switched access service.

196.191(2) (2) Except as provided in this section and s. 196.212, notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, any telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility may do any of the following:

196.191(2)(a) (a) Retain on file with the commission tariffs already on file with the commission as of June 9, 2011, showing the rates, tolls, and charges and the terms and conditions that the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility has established as of June 9, 2011, for some or all of the services performed by the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility within the state or for any service in connection therewith or performed by any telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility controlled or operated by the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility.

196.191(2)(b) (b) File with the commission new tariffs showing the rates, tolls, and charges and the terms and conditions that the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility has established, as provided in the tariff filings, for some or all of the services performed by the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility within the state or for any service in connection therewith or performed by any telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility controlled or operated by the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility.

196.191(2)(c) (c) Except as provided in sub. (1), withdraw a tariff for any service by providing notice to the commission.

196.191(2)(d) (d)

196.191(2)(d)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., change the rates, tolls, and charges and the terms and conditions of a tariff on file with the commission by filing a revised tariff with the commission. Except as provided in subd. 2., a proposed change in a tariff shall be effective at the time specified in the revised tariff as filed with the commission.

196.191(2)(d)2. 2. No change in a tariff that constitutes an increase in intrastate switched access rates may be made unless the change is consistent with the public interest factors set forth in s. 196.03 (6) and does not violate ss. 196.212 and 196.219 (2r) and the commission by order, after investigation and opportunity for a hearing, approves the change, except that an increase in intrastate switched access rates shall be effective at the time specified in the revised tariff as filed with the commission, if either of the following is satisfied:

196.191(2)(d)2.a. a. The increase results in the intrastate switched access rates mirroring the interstate switched access rates for the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility.

196.191(2)(d)2.b. b. If the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility is a small telecommunications utility, the increase does not violate s. 196.212 or 196.219 (2r), does not exceed, in any 12-month period, the percentage increase in the U.S. consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, for the previous year, and is not greater than the corresponding increase in interstate switched access rates for the small telecommunications utility.

196.191(3) (3) 

196.191(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility files a new tariff under sub. (2) (b), all of the following apply:

196.191(3)(a)1. 1. The new tariff shall become effective on the date specified in the tariff, unless the commission suspends the operation of the new tariff upon serving a written notice of the suspension on the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility within 10 days after the date of filing. The notice shall include a statement of the reason under subd. 2. upon which the commission believes the tariff may be modified.

196.191(3)(a)2. 2. The commission may modify the new tariff after an opportunity for a hearing only to the extent that the tariff violates s. 196.212 or 196.219 and only to the extent that s. 196.212 or 196.219 applies to the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility.

196.191(3)(a)3. 3. If the commission does not conduct a hearing under subd. 2., the commission shall issue its final order within 60 days after issuing the notice of suspension under subd. 1. If the commission conducts a hearing, the commission shall issue its final order within 120 days after issuing the notice of suspension under subd. 1. If a final order is not issued within the time limits specified in this subdivision, the new tariff becomes effective as filed.

196.191(3)(b) (b) If a telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility files a new tariff under sub. (2) (b) to comply with sub. (1) for intrastate switched access service that includes intrastate switched access rates higher than the intrastate switched access rates it charged on January 1, 2011, the tariff shall not be effective unless the new tariff is consistent with the public interest factors set forth in s. 196.03 (6) and does not violate s. 196.212 or 196.219 (2r) and the commission by order, after investigation and opportunity for a hearing, approves the new tariff and rates, except that an increase in intrastate switched access rates shall be effective at the time specified in the new tariff as filed with the commission if sub. (2) (d) 2. a. is satisfied or, if the telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility is a small telecommunications utility, sub. (2) (d) 2. a. or b. is satisfied.

196.191(4) (4) Nothing in this section shall give the commission jurisdiction over the rates, tolls, and charges or the terms and conditions of any service that is not subject to a tariff under this section.

196.191(5) (5) Every telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility that files a tariff with the commission under this section shall include all rates, tolls, and charges and all terms and conditions that apply to the services specified in the tariff.

196.191(6) (6) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a tariff for a service that permits a telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility to enter into a contract with a customer for that tariffed service that includes rates, tolls, and charges and terms and conditions that are different from those in the tariff.

196.191(7) (7) Except as provided in sub. (6), no telecommunications utility or alternative telecommunications utility may charge, demand, collect, or receive more or less compensation for any service for which a tariff is filed under this section than is specified in the tariff, as may at the time be in force, or demand, collect, or receive any rate, toll, or charge for such service not specified in the tariff.

196.191(8) (8) A copy of the tariffs filed under this section shall be made available to consumers in a form and place readily accessible to the public.

196.191 History History: 2011 a. 22; 2021 a. 24.

196.192 196.192 Market-based compensation, rates and contracts.

196.192(1) (1) In this section:

196.192(1)(a) (a) “Electric public utility” means a public utility whose purpose is the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy.

196.192(1)(b) (b) “Electronics and information technology manufacturing zone” means a zone designated under s. 238.396 (1m).

196.192(2) (2) 

196.192(2)(bm) (bm) Except as provided in par. (br), the commission shall approve market-based rates for each investor-owned electric public utility that satisfy all of the following:

196.192(2)(bm)1. 1. The rates result in customers receiving market-based compensation for voluntary interruptions of firm load during peak periods of electric use.

196.192(2)(bm)2. 2. The rates include market-based pricing options and options for individual contracts that allow a retail customer, through service from its existing public utility, to receive market benefits and take market risks for the customer’s purchases of capacity or energy.

196.192(2)(br) (br) The commission may not approve a market-based rate under par. (bm) unless the commission determines that the rate will not harm shareholders of the investor-owned electric public utility or customers who are not subject to the rate.

196.192(2)(c) (c) Subject to any approval of the commission that is necessary, an electric public utility that is not an investor-owned electric public utility may implement market-based rates approved under par. (bm).