Wisconsin Administrative Code Public Service Commission
maps.psc.wi.gov/apps/bbe...
Here's a comprehensive overview of the Public Service Commission (PSC) under the Wisconsin Administrative Code:
🏛️ Regulatory Authority & Statutory Basis
The PSC is established by Wis. Stat. § 15.79, functioning as a state regulatory agency overseeing public utilities across energy, telecommunications, gas, and water sectors (ballotpedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).
Its core mission (per Ballotpedia) involves ensuring fair rates, reliable and efficient utility service, environmental stewardship, accountability to consumers and investors, and fostering informed public participation .
⚖️ Organizational Structure & Membership
PSC comprises three full-time commissioners, each appointed by the Governor for staggered six-year terms; one is designated as Chair for a two-year term (ballotpedia.org).
As of early 2025, the commissioners are Marcus Hawkins, Kristy Nieto, and Summer Strand, with Strand serving as Chair (ballotpedia.org).
Members must avoid financial ties to regulated industries and comply with strict conflict-of-interest rules .
📚 Administrative Rules & Code Chapters
The PSC’s responsibilities and operations are codified in Wis. Admin. Code Chapters PSC 1–PSC 187 (and more), covering areas such as:
PSC 1 – Agents of the Commission (agency officials, authority, duties) (regulations.justia.com)
PSC 2 – Procedure & Practice (docketing rules, hearings) (law.cornell.edu)
PSC 3 – Intervenor Compensation (funding for public participation) (psc.wi.gov)
PSC 4 – Environmental Analysis
PSC 5–6, 8, 12 – Cost assessments, reporting, advertising, etc.
PSC 100–104, 108–118, … – Financial relations, resource tracking, grid interconnection, energy efficiency (regulations.justia.com)
PSC 113 – Rules governing billing, disconnection procedures, and service protection for electric utilities (law.cornell.edu)
PSC 128 – Wind Siting Rules, standardizing turbine permitting at the local level (psc.wi.gov)
PSC 185 – Standards for water utilities: rates, engineering, metering, conservation (regulations.justia.com)
📞 Key Roles & Public Engagement
PSC 1 outlines roles for staff and hearing supervisors within the organization (regulations.justia.com).
PSC 2 regulates procedural aspects like docket filings, hearings, and ruling structures (law.cornell.edu).
PSC 3 provides compensation for intervenors (e.g., citizens or groups) to participate in rate cases or utility proceedings (psc.wi.gov).
🔌 Major Functional Areas
Environmental oversight of utility expansions and infrastructure.
Utility financial and operational oversight, including advertising, billing, and cost-sharing practices (see Chapters PSC 5–6, 8, 12).
Electric & gas utilities: handles accounting, disconnections, safety, and disaster response (e.g., PSC 113).
Renewables: rules for distributed generation, energy efficiency, and renewable credits.
Water services: ensuring safe and reliable public water per PSC 185.
🗃️ Statutes & Budget
PSC operates under Chapter 196 (Public Utilities) and Chapter 20.155 (appropriations) of the Wisconsin Statutes (pbswisconsin.org, regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu, psc.wi.gov).
Its Fiscal Year 2025 budget is approximately $30.5 million, and commissioners receive an annual salary around $126,000 (ballotpedia.org).
✅ In Summary
The PSC functions as Wisconsin’s main regulatory body ensuring that utility services are safe, fairly priced, reliable, and environmentally responsible. Its comprehensive code—spanning PSC Chapters 1 through 187+—lays out its structure, authority, procedural frameworks, and policy for utility regulation, consumer protection, infrastructure planning, and renewable energy siting.
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