Judge reverses PSC’s 2022 third-party financing decision: Dane County Circuit Court Judge Frank Remington says the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) was wrong when a majority ruled that a solar installer need not be regulated under the rules that normally apply when a company sells electricity to the public. The 22-page decision was released April 26 in the case of Wisconsin Utilities Association, Inc. v. Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and is a win for MEUW member utilities. While still subject to appeal, the decision effectively concludes a nearly two-years-long debate over whether third parties that finance distributed energy resources on behalf of utility customers (roof-top solar panels, for example) should be regulated as “public utilities” under Chapter 196 of the Wisconsin statutes.
The PSC opened proceedings in July 2022 after Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Vote Solar filed separate but nearly identical requests for a declaratory ruling. The Commissioners voted 2-1 in December 2022 to allow a Stevens Point family served by Wisconsin Public Service Corp. to lease solar panels from North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative, which is affiliated with Vote Solar and is not a regulated public utility. More than a dozen parties, including municipal utilities represented by MEUW, intervened in the docket, with many subsequently joining WUA, the trade group for the state’s investor-owned utilities, to contest the PSC decision in court. Throughout the process, MEUW has worked collaboratively with others, including Great Lakes Utilities and WPPI Energy, to advocate for public power’s interests in protecting the current, long-standing, and proven regulatory model in Wisconsin.
Have you registered for the Annual Conference? Time is running out to register for this year’s Annual Conference in Marshfield! The “early bird” discount of $30 expires tomorrow (Wednesday, May 1). You won’t want to miss the great agenda or the opportunity to connect with your colleagues from across the state. The Annual Conference will take place May 15–17 in Marshfield, with the bulk of the programming (and the awards ceremony) set for Thursday, May 16. You’re invited to attend as much or as little of the conference as your schedule allows. Join in the golf outing Wednesday morning, a tour of our host utility, Marshfield Utilities (MU) Wednesday afternoon, and then a welcome reception at MU on Wednesday evening, May 15. Don’t miss your chance — registration closes next week on May 10.
Be sure your utility’s vote is counted: Elections for Directors and Alternate Directors in even-numbered districts are currently underway. Instructions have been provided to a contact at impacted utilities. Voting closes on May 8, and the results will be announced at the association’s Annual Business Meeting on May 17.
Improve your Communications and Project Management skills: Enhance your leadership skills by learning the important role of effective communications and project management skills. The next offering in MEUW’s professional development programming will be a one-day course that covers techniques for planning your time, prioritizing your obligations, and evaluating your success, as well as how to communicate clear instructions, and listen well for meaningful feedback. Held in Mauston on Wednesday, June 5, full details and registration are available here.
Register today to learn effective coaching: High performing leaders develop the skills and emotional intelligence to coach others effectively. Take the next step in your leadership journey by joining this one-day class focusing on the importance of effective coaching. Good coaches are seen as role models and need to understand those things that cause them to have frustration and how to channel their emotions productively. Participants will take away practical ideas they can apply to setting a good example and becoming a leader who gets the most from others. The class will be held in Mauston on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Registration and details about what you’ll learn are available here.
The Executive Committee of MEUW’s Board of Directors held a regular meeting on April 3. The draft minutes of their discussions are here (member log-in required).
Start spreading the news: We’d like to share your utility’s news with other MEUW members. Please take time to let us know about new hires, promotions, retirements, honors, and awards. Simply send an email to office@meuw.org. We will review and include it in our member communications.