On Thursday, June 1, Gov. Scott Walker signed into law 2017 Wisconsin Act 10 that changes statutes regarding the repair, replacement, reconstruction or transfer of high capacity wells. The legislation, authored by Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) eliminates the need for the Department of Natural Resources to provide additional approval for an owner of […]
Wisconsin Rural Water Association, Others Hold Municipal Government & Utility Day
Date Fri, May. 12, 2017 - 9:05am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA), joined by other municipal government and utility organizations, held the annual Municipal Government & Utility Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday. Local officials and utilities met with their legislators about issues impacting local governments and municipal utilities. Kicking off the day, Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, chair of the […]
Bills of Note: High Capacity Wells
Date Fri, Mar. 31, 2017 - 10:17am By Hamilton
Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) introduced legislation (SB 76) in February that would change laws regulating the repair, replacement, reconstruction or transfer of high capacity wells. Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) introduced its counterpart AB 105 in the Assembly. The bill would eliminate the need for the Department of Natural Resources to provide additional approval […]
Bills of Note: Leading on Lead
Date Fri, Mar. 10, 2017 - 9:32am By Hamilton
Sen. Cowles (R – Green Bay) and Rep. Thiesfeldt (R – Fond du Lac) recently introduced SB 48/AB 78, called “Leading on Lead Act.” The bill has received significant bipartisan support, with a total of 47 co-sponsors supporting the authors’ efforts. The bill allows water utilities to provide financial assistance to remove private lead laterals. […]
Gov. Walker Appoints New PSC Commissioner
Date Fri, Feb. 24, 2017 - 11:09am By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker announced this week that Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Lon Roberts will replace current Public Service Commissioner Phil Montgomery whose term on PSC ends next month. Montgomery had served 12 years in the Wisconsin Assembly before his six-year term on PSC. Roberts, Montgomery’s replacement, was a partner and president at a law […]
Agricultural and Manufacturing Groups to Fight Clean Wisconsin Suit
Date Thu, Jan. 12, 2017 - 4:40pm By Hamilton
On Jan. 6, eight business associations asked a Dane County court for permission to intervene in litigation challenging Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) high capacity well permit program. Although the litigation is aimed at individual permit holders, if the relief requested by Clean Wisconsin is granted, the court decision could threaten the validity of hundreds […]
PSC Energy Assessment Prompts Strong Industry Response
Date Thu, Sep. 1, 2016 - 11:08am By Hamilton
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s (PSC) draft biennial energy assessment became a vehicle for state manufacturing groups to put a marker with the agency on electrical rates. The statutorily required assessment, entitled Strategic Energy Assessment (SEA), describes the agency’s views on the availability, reliability, and sustainability of Wisconsin’s electric energy system. PSCs final report […]
PSC Reform Bill Signed into Law
Date Wed, Mar. 30, 2016 - 3:45pm By Hamilton
On March 30, 2016, Governor Walker signed Assembly Bill 804, otherwise known as the Public Service Commission (PSC) Reform Bill, into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 299. Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) and Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) introduced Assembly Bill 804 and Senate Bill 654. The PSC developed the legislation through many discussions with PSC […]
PSC Reform Bill Passes Legislature
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:31am By Hamilton
On their last session day, the Senate concurred in Assembly Bill 804, otherwise known as the Public Service Commission (PSC) Reform Bill. The bill now heads to Governor Scott Walker for his signature. The Assembly passed the legislation in February. Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) and Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) introduced Assembly Bill 804 and […]
Legislation to Allow Out-of-State Companies to Purchase Water & Sewer Utilities Dies in Senate
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:26am By Hamilton
Introduced by Representative Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) and Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) in December, Assembly Bill 554/Senate Bill 432 would have created a new process for out-of-state utility companies to purchase or lease water or sewer utilities in Wisconsin. The Assembly passed AB 554 on a voice vote in January. The Senate Committee on […]