MADISON – Today the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) denied Dane County
and the City of Madison’s request for an independent study on the need for new transmission
facilities in the Dane County area.
“One-hundred years ago, the Wisconsin Legislature created the PSC, an independent state
agency, to ensure the state has a safe, reliable and affordable energy infrastructure and that the
public’s best interest is protected,” said Chairperson Dan Ebert. “PSC staff is dedicated to
energy planning and is constantly reviewing transmission needs at the local, state and regional
levels. The staff has the technical expertise and professionalism to perform the thorough,
comprehensive and independent analysis that the city and county requested.”
In February 2007, Dane County and the City of Madison filed a petition with the PSC requesting
that the Commission order an independent study to examine transmission needs in Dane County.
They asked the Commission to look at options to meet energy demands and to examine the need
for new transmission lines in the area.
The Commission has the authority to approve, deny or modify any proposed electric construction
project. The Commission, in today’s decision, explained that the PSC follows a process outlined
by state law for every case. First, the Commission must determine if there is a need for a
proposed transmission line and consider alternatives, including different energy sources, route
options and energy efficiency and conservation measures. Under state statutes, the Commission
must also consider individual hardships, engineering, economic, safety, reliability and
environmental factors during its review process.
“The PSC has a long history of having an open process and encouraging those who may be
affected by Commission decisions to get involved,” said Commissioner Mark Meyer. “Dane
County residents who voted in support of an independent transmission study can rest assured that
the Commission will look at every possible alternative and will consider the comments,
suggestions and testimony provided for each case when making decisions on upcoming
proposals.”
Members of the public and organizations are encouraged to participate in cases before the
Commission. There are a number of ways to get involved with a case, including testifying at
public hearings, submitting comments through the PSC’s website or becoming an intervenor to a
case. Financial assistance is also available for organizations and individuals who choose to
become an intervenor. For more information on how to get involved in a case before the
Commission, please visit the PSC’s public involvement and intervenor web page at:
http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/publicinvolvement/intervenor.htm
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