Assembly Republicans Announce Environmental and Energy Proposals

Assembly Republicans recently announced a package of several environmental and energy proposals, including state support for electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy rebates. Language of the proposals has yet to be introduced. Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) said funding for the proposals would come entirely from existing revenue. Below are details on the proposals.   […]

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PSC Approves Wisconsin’s First Large Scale Solar Projects

On April 11, the Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Wisconsin’s first utility scale solar projects. According to PSC, the two projects together will more than quadruple Wisconsin’s solar capacity and produce enough energy to power 120,000 households annually. The Two Creeks solar generation facility will be located in Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties near Two Rivers […]

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PSCW Approves Notice of Investigation of Electric Vehicles

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) unanimously voted on Feb. 21 to open a generic docket (PSCW Docket # 5-EI-156) for the investigation of electric vehicle (EV) policy and regulation. The Notice of Investigation lists eight considerations that the Commission’s investigation will include, such as EV impacts on electric storage and transmission; policies and […]

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PSC Begins Rulemaking on Renewable Resource Credits, Declines to Promulgate Large-Scale Solar Rules

Renewable Resource Credits The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has begun rulemaking related to renewable resource credits. The proposed rule would conform Wis. Admin. Code PSC 118  to incorporate changes from a bill enacted last session (2017 Wisconsin Act 53). Act 53 changed the definition of a renewable resource to include heat that is […]

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EPA Proposes Affordable Clean Energy Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, which replaces the 2015 Clean Power Plan. A rule promulgated during the previous administration, the Clean Power Plan imposed costly regulatory burdens on power plants in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA proposed repealing the Clean Power Plan […]

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First Municipal Customer Side Lead Pipe Removal Program Approved

On Aug. 16, the Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the state’s first municipal customer side lead pipe removal program. In March, Gov. Scott Walker signed the Leading on Lead Act (Act 136) into law, thereby paving the way for water utilities to provide financial assistance to replace water laterals on private property containing lead.  The […]

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Study Committee on Investment and Use of School Trust Funds Meets

The Study Committee on the Investment and Use of the School Trust Funds met for the first time on Aug. 16, 2018. The committee, chaired by Rep. Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg) and Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), is tasked with reviewing the investment process and loan programs under the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL). The […]

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PSC, Governor’s Office Staff Changes

Earlier this month, Gov. Scott Walker appointed his chief of staff, Rich Zipperer, as Public Service Commissioner. Zipperer fills a vacancy created when Walker appointed Ellen Nowak as Department of Administration secretary in February. Zipperer has worked as Walker’s chief of staff since 2015 and was previously elected to the Wisconsin state Senate and Assembly. […]

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Signed by Governor: Leading on Lead Act, Wisconsin Health Care Stability Plan, and Worker’s Compensation Fix

Signed by Governor: Leading on Lead Act, Wisconsin Health Care Stability Plan, and Worker’s Compensation Fix

In the last week, Gov. Scott Walker signed several major bills into law. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, in Milwaukee, the governor signed the Leading on Lead Act into law as Act 136. The Act allows water utilities to provide financial assistance to replace water laterals on private property containing lead. The law requires a municipal […]

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Xcel Energy Legislative Day 2018

Xcel Energy Legislative Day 2018

Xcel Energy held their 18th annual Legislative Day in Madison on Feb. 27. Xcel Wisconsin-Michigan President Mark Stoering and Regional Government Affairs Director Matt Pagel welcomed attendees at Monona Terrace. Then, Gov. Scott Walker addressed the group, honoring Xcel for their commitment to hiring veterans. Following Walker, Public Service Commissioner Lon Roberts discussed workforce training […]

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