Legislative
WIEG had an enormous influence on state energy policy during the 2009 – 2010 session. Every single bill on WIEG’s list of legislative priorities this session was either successfully enacted or defeated (such as the costly global warming bill).
Defeated the Global Warming Bill
WIEG member companies are the largest and most energy-intensive consumers and are uniquely impacted by greenhouse gas and air emission reduction policies. WIEG members have facilities in many states and countries. In order to maintain a level playing field, WIEG advocates for global warming/air emissions regulations to be federalized to the greatest extent practicable and meet strong cost-benefit criteria. Our industries need government to be a partner in helping to reduce costs and improve competitiveness, not increase costs and reduce competitiveness. Due in large part to WIEG’s aggressive lobbying and coalition building efforts, the state’s global warming bill officially died at the end of the session.
WIEG testimony in opposition to AB 649/SB 450
• Click here to view AB 649/SB 450 - Governor Doyle’s global warming legislation
Mitigated the Cost of the Current 10% Renewable Mandate (2009 Wisconsin Act 406)
The cost of the current 10% state mandate on renewable energy is rising quickly as it is spurring the need for billions in new renewable infrastructure construction. WIEG supported legislative efforts to promote new energy displacement technologies to create Wisconsin jobs and mitigate the cost of the renewables mandate. The new law expands the definition of renewables to include sources such as light tubes and waste-related technologies to count toward the Renewable Resource Credits (RRCs) created for compliance with the 10% renewables law.
• Click here to view Act 406
Fuel Rules Reform (2009 Wisconsin Act 403)
Wisconsin law prohibits automatic fuel adjustment clauses in utility rate schedules. The new revision to the Fuel Rules adopts the compromise language worked out in a customer coalition led by WIEG (CUB, Wisconsin Paper Council and Wausau Paper). Ultimately, all parties supported the bill with none opposed. Act 403 creates by statute those elements of a new rule that WIEG has long believed critical: a requirement for hearings and a “deadband.” We believe the changes maintain incentives for utilities to be prudent when purchasing their fuel.
• Click here to view Act 403
Outside of the 2009 – 2010 legislative session, here are examples of major legislative efforts that WIEG influenced and supported in recent years:
Energy Efficiency & Renewables Act (2005 Wisconsin Act 141)
WIEG eventually signed off on the legislation that later became known as Act 141 after gaining important ratepayer protections such as the industrial cap on Public Benefits. The law added new protections for our energy efficiency funds to secure them from state budget raids. Act 141 also adds new renewable resources into the state’s generation mix with an “off ramp” to protect against rising costs (it has later become apparent these off ramps need revision to do a better job of protecting ratepayers).
• Click here to view 2005 Wisconsin Act 141
Environmental Trust Financing (2003 Wisconsin Act 152)
The environmental trust financing law gives utilities in Wisconsin the option to finance certain environmental control activities through bond financing rather than through the traditional approach. Bond financing lowers costs to consumers as utilities forego a return on equity investment. Environmental control activities eligible for this financing approach under the Act include installing pollution control equipment on existing plants or retiring older plants.
• Click here to view 2003 Wisconsin Act 152
Regulatory Streamlining (2003 Wisconsin Act 89)
Prior to the passage of Act 89, a large powerline project could take a decade or more for regulatory approval. Utility siting regulations were often costly, overlapping and sometimes contradictory. Act 89 established regulatory timelines and certainty. The law has streamlined the siting process without eroding environmental protections or economic considerations.
• Click here to view 2003 Wisconsin Act 89
MISO Act (2003 Wisconsin Act 40)
Also known as the MISO amendment, this new law allows the state's Public Service Commission to authorize the state transmission utility, the American Transmission Company, to withdraw from the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), the grid operator for the transmission of high voltage electricity across much of the Upper Midwest, if it deems such withdrawal is in the public interest.
• Click here to view 2003 Wisconsin Act 40
Reliability 2000 (1999 Wisconsin Act 9)
Included as a part of the 1999-2001 state budget, Reliability 2000 maintained limits on utility diversification, allowing additional energy-related diversification only if the utility divested its transmission assets. Reliability 2000 also encouraged the divestiture of transmission assets to an independent transmission company now called the American Transmission Company, created a new statewide energy efficiency and energy assistance program known as Public Benefits and created the state renewable portfolio standard.
• Click here to view 1999 Wisconsin Act 9
Electric Reliability Act (1997 Wisconsin Act 204)
This legislation is the precursor to Reliability 2000. It shortened approval times for needed new generation and high voltage transmission lines, required construction of new generation; including renewables, required the independent operation of transmission facilities and authorized wholesale merchant plants. Additionally, the legislation also improved Wisconsin's strict standards for approving new generation and transmission.
• Click here to view 1997 Wisconsin Act 204
