Wisconsin Utility Regulation Report » Natural Gas http://preferred-int.com Published by Preferred Intelligence, LLC Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:59:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Approved the Application of Madison Gas and Electric Company for Authority to Change Electric and Natural Gas Rates http://preferred-int.com/approved-the-application-of-madison-gas-and-electric-company-for-authority-to-change-electric-and-natural-gas-rates/ http://preferred-int.com/approved-the-application-of-madison-gas-and-electric-company-for-authority-to-change-electric-and-natural-gas-rates/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:32:42 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=150

Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE or the Company) filed on April 29, 2009, for authority to increase its electric and natural gas rates on January 1, 2010. MGE requested a $15,971,000 (4.53 percent) increase for electric operations and a $4,351,000 (2.26 percent) increase for natural gas operations. On July 7, 2009, a prehearing conference was held.
In supplemental direct testimony submitted on August 10, 2009, MGE updated its electric request to $16,871,000 (4.78 percent) and updated its natural gas request to $3,487,000 (1.81 percent) to reflect a number of changes. These changes consist of an additional $704,000 for American Transmission Company (ATC)/Midwest Independent Transmission System Operation (MISO) budgeted Schedule 26 costs not included in MGE’s original filing, estimated electric decrease of $163,000 for updated 2009 deferred pension expense amortized over four years, estimated natural gas decrease of $163,000 for updated 2009 deferred pension expense amortized over two years, estimated electric and natural gas decreases of $1,211,000 and $681,000, respectively, for updated 2010 pension and benefits expenses, estimated increased electric fuel costs of $974,000 due to buyout provisions of not meeting its minimum coal commitments and rail service in 2010, and the electric revenue requirement impacts of MGE’s application for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant money from the economic stimulus package earmarked for clean energy projects estimated at $596,000 for 2010.
On October 22, 2009, technical and public hearings were held in Madison. Simultaneous briefs and reply briefs were filed with the Commission on November 11 and November 17, 2009, respectively.

Consistent with their other rate case decisions, the Commissioners trimmed the request before they approved it.

Docket 3270-UR-116

]]> http://preferred-int.com/approved-the-application-of-madison-gas-and-electric-company-for-authority-to-change-electric-and-natural-gas-rates/feed/ 0 Commission Decides WPSC Motions http://preferred-int.com/commission-decides-wpsc-motions/ http://preferred-int.com/commission-decides-wpsc-motions/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:34:56 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=31

After their discussion, the Commission made several decisions relative to the Wisconsin Public Service Request for Rehearing and Reconsideration of Docket 6690-UR-119.

    3-0, The Commission moved to reopen this docket under Wis. Stat. § 196.39.
    3-0, The Commission agreed to remove order point 14 and any associated language in the other parts of the order.
    2-1, The Commission amended the rate adjustment band consistent with their discussion and moved to clarify the Commission position on their right to accept or withdraw the stipulation.    Azar dissented.

]]> http://preferred-int.com/commission-decides-wpsc-motions/feed/ 0 Commission Approves $11,000 in Additional Intervenor Compensation http://preferred-int.com/commission-approves-11000-in-additional-intervenor-compensation/ http://preferred-int.com/commission-approves-11000-in-additional-intervenor-compensation/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:15:28 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=30

On a 2-1 vote, the Commission approved $11,000 in additional intervenor funding to Sierra Club for its participation in two recent cases involving Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and Wisconsin Power & Light.

]]> http://preferred-int.com/commission-approves-11000-in-additional-intervenor-compensation/feed/ 0 Wisconsin Commission breaks with tradition – settles rate cases by stipulation http://preferred-int.com/wisconsin-commission-breaks-with-tradition-settles-rate-cases-by-stipulation/ http://preferred-int.com/wisconsin-commission-breaks-with-tradition-settles-rate-cases-by-stipulation/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:24:44 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=27

History was made by the Commission today. It accepted rate case settlements by stipulation between the parties in Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (Integrys) Docket 6690-UR-110 and Wisconsin Power & Light (Alliant Energy) Docket 6680-UR-116 matters.

This is the first time utility rate cases have been settled by stipulations among the parties, which were then approved by the Commission. While unusual for this Commission, the practice is common in other states.

]]> http://preferred-int.com/wisconsin-commission-breaks-with-tradition-settles-rate-cases-by-stipulation/feed/ 0 We Energies Gets Energy Efficiency Program Approval http://preferred-int.com/we-energies-gets-energy-efficiency-program-approval/ http://preferred-int.com/we-energies-gets-energy-efficiency-program-approval/#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:19:29 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=22

The Commission approved Wisconsin Electric Power Company’s 2009 voluntary energy efficiency and renewable energy programs consistent with the Commission’s discussion. This involves a component of the Joint Application of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC, both d/b/a We Energies, for Wisconsin Electric Power Company to Increase Its Electric, Natural Gas, and Steam Rates and for Wisconsin Gas LLC to Increase Its Natural Gas Rates.

WEPCO proposes to implement ten energy efficiency and demand response programs. These programs consist of both continuing programs and new programs.

]]> http://preferred-int.com/we-energies-gets-energy-efficiency-program-approval/feed/ 0 Strategic Energy Assessment Issued http://preferred-int.com/strategic-energy-assessment-issued/ http://preferred-int.com/strategic-energy-assessment-issued/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:44:09 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=19

The SEA identifies, describes, and assesses different aspects of Wisconsin’s electric energy picture for the next seven years. The SEA evaluates the adequacy and reliability of the state’s current and future electrical supply (Wis. Stat. § 196.491(2)(a)). The purpose of this EA is to discuss generic issues presented in the SEA and describe their potential environmental impacts. Copies can be downloaded at http://www.psc.wi.gov.

]]> http://preferred-int.com/strategic-energy-assessment-issued/feed/ 0 Commission Issues Report on Bill Itemization http://preferred-int.com/commission-issues-report-on-bill-itemization/ http://preferred-int.com/commission-issues-report-on-bill-itemization/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:25:37 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=17

From the Executive Summary to the Legislature:

2005 Wisconsin Act 141 § 102(7)(b) directs that no later than July 1, 2008, the Public Service Commission shall submit a report to the governor and chief clerk of each house that consists of its recommendations on whether any component of an energy utility’s revenue requirement should be itemized on ratepayer bills. On March 20, 2008, the Commission issued a Notice of Investigation (NOI) to consider this issue. Commission staff examined bills from various Wisconsin utilities and utilities in other states and sought stakeholder input through the NOI. Based on its review of utility bills and stakeholder comments, Commission staff developed five options to be considered:

(1) Status Quo or leave bills as they currently appear;

(2) Eliminate all non-energy itemizations; (3) Itemize all energy efficiency charges; (4) Itemize specific items for specific customer classes; or

(5) Itemize all charges.

Commission staff developed four key criteria to consider during the analysis:

(1) Does the option provide new, useful information that allows the customer to make choices or take actions regarding their energy usage, timing, rate structure or future considerations?;

(2) What are the expected implementation costs of the option to ratepayers?;

(3) Does the option increase administrative costs for utilities and the PSC?; and

(4) What are the potential “regrets” of implementing the option? Will it impede or complicate upcoming legislative activities?

After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages using the above criteria, the Commission recommends a status quo approach in which bills would remain as they currently appear. However, the Commission has asked PSC staff to evaluate options other than bill itemization that may provide similar information to customers.

]]> http://preferred-int.com/commission-issues-report-on-bill-itemization/feed/ 0 PSCW Approves 55 MW CT For Marshfield Utility http://preferred-int.com/pscw-approves-55-mw-ct-for-marshfield-utility/ http://preferred-int.com/pscw-approves-55-mw-ct-for-marshfield-utility/#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:33:38 +0000 preferred http://preferred-int.com/?p=14

The natural gas and oil fired CT and associated gas supply line will cost about $30 million. The CT is designated as a peaking facility and is expected to operate for about 500 hours per year. The plant should be online for the summer of 2009.

Marshfield Utility is owned by the City of Marshfield, Wood County. The utility serves about 13,000 customers, including the well-known Marshfield Clinic.

Docket 3420-CE-111

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