Chapter PSC 112

PSC 112.05 Note Note: The commission maintains or has access to the Handy-Whitman Index of Public Utility Construction Costs and this reference or a copy may be reviewed by contacting the commission’s offices.

PSC 112.05 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (1m) (a), (2) and (3), Register, October, 1998, No. 514, eff. 11-1-98; CR 14-053: renum. (3) (a) (intro.) to (3) (a) and am., r. (3) (a) 1. to 3., am. (3) (b), cr. (3) (c) Register April 2015 No. 712, eff. 5-1-15; correction in (3) (a), (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2017 No. 733.

PSC 112.06 PSC 112.06 Applications for commission authorization.

PSC 112.06(1) (1) Prior to filing an application. Before filing an application for commission authorization under s. 196.49, Stats., the applicant shall do all of the following:

PSC 112.06(1)(a) (a) Notify the department and the commission of its intent to seek commission authorization.

PSC 112.06(1)(b) (b) Consult with commission staff, in cooperation with staff from the department, on the scope of the proposed project, the alternatives that must be considered in the application, and additional information that the commission will require as part of the commission authorization application.

PSC 112.06(1m) (1m) An electric utility seeking authorization from the commission for a project under s. PSC 112.03, 112.04 or 112.05 shall submit an application to the commission including all of the following, where applicable:

PSC 112.06 Note Note: Section PSC 111.53 prescribes the contents of an application for commission approval to construct, install or place in operation a bulk or large electric generating facility and s. PSC 111.55 prescribes the contents of an application for commission approval to construct, install or place in operation a high-voltage transmission line, including related substation construction.

PSC 112.06(1m)(a) (a) A description of the project, including:

PSC 112.06(1m)(a)1. 1. Facility design, size, capacity and voltage.

PSC 112.06(1m)(a)2. 2. Line design, size and material.

PSC 112.06(1m)(a)3. 3. Line length and right-of-way width required.

PSC 112.06(1m)(a)4. 4. The size of the plant’s or site’s developed area.

PSC 112.06(1m)(a)5. 5. The approximate construction schedule.

PSC 112.06(1m)(b) (b) The gross cost and proposed method of financing the project.

PSC 112.06(1m)(c) (c) The purpose and necessity of the project with supporting data.

PSC 112.06(1m)(d) (d) The effect of the project on cost of operation and on the quality and reliability of service.

PSC 112.06(1m)(e) (e) A description of and the cost of any property being replaced.

PSC 112.06(1m)(f) (f) A description of and the gross cost of alternative methods, locations or routes which the electric utility considered for accomplishing the purpose of the project with a statement of the reasons for rejecting these alternatives.

PSC 112.06(1m)(g) (g) Environmental information including, where applicable:

PSC 112.06(1m)(g)1. 1. A map or drawing of the affected part of the existing electric system clearly showing the location of the proposed sites or routes of the proposed facilities and any alternate sites or routes considered.

PSC 112.06(1m)(g)2. 2. The proximity to designated flood plains or flood prone areas.

PSC 112.06(1m)(g)3. 3. For facilities that produce magnetic fields, including lines and substations, estimates of magnetic field strengths near the facility and the proximity of the site or route to nearby residences, work places, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, day care centers, parks and playgrounds.

PSC 112.06(1m)(g)4. 4. Information concerning applicable environmental factors for affected lands, such as land use or zoning, forest lands, rivers, streams, wetlands, endangered or threatened species and historical or archaeological resources.

PSC 112.06(1m)(g)5. 5. A listing of permits or approvals required by other units of government.

PSC 112.06(1m)(g)6. 6. Any other environmental screening information that the commission staff requests.

PSC 112.06(1m)(h) (h) For building projects, information on energy efficiency or conservation features, including:

PSC 112.06(1m)(h)1. 1. The whole building heat loss in Btu/square foot of the building envelope.

PSC 112.06(1m)(h)2. 2. The type and R-value of insulating material used for walls, ceilings, roofs, doors and windows.

PSC 112.06(1m)(h)3. 3. The type of heating and cooling system selected and the annual end-use energy estimate in Btu/square foot/year for space heating, space cooling, and any process use.

PSC 112.06(1m)(h)4. 4. The type and source of fuel or fuels selected.

PSC 112.06(1m)(h)5. 5. The type of lighting system selected and the annual end-use energy estimate for lighting.

PSC 112.06(1m)(i) (i) A designation of public utilities, municipalities, cooperative associations and others principally affected by the project and a statement as to which, if any, the applicant has notified.

PSC 112.06(1m)(j) (j) Any other information necessary to understand the project or information requested by the commission staff.

PSC 112.06(2) (2) The applicant shall file an original and 2 copies of each application. If the commission notifies the applicant that additional copies are required, the applicant shall promptly furnish them. If the original filing contains special material, such as commercial maps and aerial photographs, any required additional copies of the application may contain photocopies or other reproductions of these special materials.

PSC 112.06 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; CR 07-044: renum. (1) to be (1m), cr. (1) Register May 2008 No. 629, eff. 6-1-08.

PSC 112.07 PSC 112.07 Processing of applications by the commission.

PSC 112.07(1) (1) If upon consideration of the application, together with any supplemental information and objections, the commission finds that the public convenience and necessity require the project as proposed and the project complies with s. 196.49 (3) (b), Stats., the commission may authorize the project without public hearing but with modifications and conditions it considers necessary.

PSC 112.07(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (1), the commission shall hold a public hearing on the application and grant or deny the application, in whole or in part, subject to any conditions the commission finds are necessary to protect the public interest or promote the public convenience and necessity.

PSC 112.07 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95.

PSC 112.073 PSC 112.073 Notification of additional work areas. After the commission has issued an authorization under s. 196.49, Stats., the applicant shall, before establishing any lay down area, staging area or access route that was not identified and described in the project application, notify the commission of the location of the lay down area, staging area or access route, and demonstrate that the use of the lay down area, staging area or access route will not affect any threatened or endangered species, historic resources, wetlands, waterways or other sensitive resources.

PSC 112.073 History History: CR 07-044: cr. Register May 2008 No. 629, eff. 6-1-08.

PSC 112.075 PSC 112.075 Emergency work. In case of emergency, an electric utility may begin necessary work without complying with ss. PSC 112.06 and 112.07. The utility shall do all of the following:

PSC 112.075(1) (1) Notify the commission of its actions within 48 hours of commencement of the work.

PSC 112.075(2) (2) Furnish the commission the information required under s. PSC 112.06 within 30 days of commencement of the work.

PSC 112.075 History History: CR 07-044: cr. Register May 2008 No. 629, eff. 6-1-08.

PSC 112.08 PSC 112.08 Extensions of electric service under s. 196.495, Stats.

PSC 112.08(1) (1) In addition to any other conditions established by law or commission order, the measurement of an extension’s length under s. 196.495 (1) (b), Stats., shall be from an existing local service distribution line that is, or has been, actually used in rendering local service to a customer. A street light or security light is not a principal building or facility under s. 196.495 (1) (b), Stats.

PSC 112.08(2) (2) The commission shall enforce any written territorial agreement filed by 2 utilities, a utility and a cooperative association, or 2 cooperative associations to avoid duplication of facilities, if:

PSC 112.08(2)(a) (a) The agreement governs the extension of electric distribution lines and the right to serve customers; and

PSC 112.08(2)(b) (b) The commission has approved the agreement as being in the public interest.

PSC 112.08 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95.