Assembly Bill 1167 introduces significant changes to the regulation of electric service utility rates and the construction of large electric generating facilities in Wisconsin. The bill prohibits electric public utilities from recovering any rate of return on equity for retired electric generating facilities, which alters the current framework that allows such recovery under specific conditions set by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Additionally, the bill creates an exemption from the requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for constructing large electric generating facilities, provided that the facility will consume at least 70 percent of its output for nonresidential purposes and the developer agrees to cover all interconnection costs with public utility infrastructure.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the PSC to maintain a web page that displays the procedural status of all CPCN applications and any related permits or approvals necessary for construction. This includes tracking approvals from federal, state, and local authorities. The amendments to existing statutes include a change in the language regarding the consumption of energy output, shifting from a focus on manufacturing processes to nonresidential purposes, and the introduction of new provisions to enhance transparency in the permitting process for electric generating facilities.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 196.491(4)(b)2, 196.491