The Wisconsin 3rd District of Appeals upheld Wisconsin’s wind siting standards on March 22nd. This means that the PSC will not have to produce a report on how wind turbines affect property values while imposing the siting standards. The Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Builders Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association along with a few individuals, brought […]
Legislative Update: Roundabouts, Tax Credits, and Leadership Shifts
Date Tue, Mar. 11, 2014 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Rewable Energy Act Introduced Despite its sweeping policies, the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Act was recently introduced with muted fanfare and debate that reflects its likely demise. Fair to say: too late, too much, and wrong party. Introduced by Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona), Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), and Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine), the legislation […]
Supreme Court Hears Case on Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Date Thu, Mar. 6, 2014 - 6:05pm By Hamilton
Supreme Court Hears Case Determining Scope of EPA’s Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Clean Air Act On Monday, February 24, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the case Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency.This is the first case since the Court’s Massachusetts v. EPA opinion to address the EPA’s authority […]
Applications Available – Broadband Expansion Grants for FY 2014
Date Wed, Jan. 22, 2014 - 4:33pm By Hamilton
A new grant program adopted for the first time in the recent state budget, 2013 Wis. Act 20, provides that the Public Service Commission may award up to $500,000 in grants during Fiscal Year 2014 to improve broadband communications services in Wisconsin. Grant funds can only be used to reimburse the construction of broadband facilities. […]
Last Floor Sessions of 2013
Date Tue, Nov. 19, 2013 - 11:59pm By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly have adjourned their last regular sessions for 2013. Both houses had busy agendas as they moved to get bills passed before the end of the calendar year. Elections and Politics The most contentious issues involved elections – from voting to recalls and redistricting. Party line votes and long debates were abundant. […]
Roundtable Discusses Opportunities for Expanding the Use of Natural Gas in Wisconsin
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2013 - 8:23pm By Hamilton
The Department of Administration recently hosted a forum to provide information to businesses and citizens about expanding the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a transportation fuel. “Businesses across Wisconsin are looking for ways to offset and reduce high gasoline and diesel prices. The use of natural gas as a transportation fuel is a […]
New Bills Signed Into Law
Date Mon, Jul. 8, 2013 - 10:57am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker signed several bills into law on Friday, July 5, 2013. Please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team if you require further information on any of the laws below. Assembly Bill 20 – relating to the notice and degree requirements for the examination to practice as a certified public accountant. This […]
Pres. Obama Unveils Climate Change Plan
Date Wed, Jul. 3, 2013 - 4:42pm By Hamilton
Pres. Obama has laid out a sweeping new climate change plan. The plan, which would cut carbon emissions in the United States and encourage other countries to do so as well, bypasses Congress, opting to achieve the president’s policy goals via executive action. Video of Pres. Obama’s remarks on his plan. Click here for the […]
Settlement Shutters More Wisconsin Coal Plants
Date Mon, Apr. 22, 2013 - 5:34pm By Hamilton
The EPA, Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), and various co-defendants and co-plaintiffs, have entered into a settlement agreement which will significantly alter Wisconsin’s energy generation portfolio and cost over a billion dollars. This action is part of a larger EPA plan to “eliminate or minimize emissions from coal-fired power plants, cement plants, glass plants […]
Interview with PSC Highlights Regional & Federal Regulation
Date Mon, Mar. 18, 2013 - 12:37pm By Hamilton
In an interview with The Wheeler Report, Phil Montgomery, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin discussed the challenges of the agency and the agencies move to more regional work. What are the recent accomplishments of your agency?When Governor Walker appointed me in March 2011, I wanted to make sure we providing the […]