(1) TIMING AND COST
INCREASES.
(a) For any project requiring
commission authorization under s.
PSC
184.03, a person or utility shall submit the
information required in this section at least 90 days, but no earlier than 2
years, before beginning the project.
(b) For any project receiving commission
authorization under s.
PSC 184.05
that is not be gun within 2 years from the date of the authorization, a utility
shall notify the commission of revised project costs, the schedule for
completion, and any other changes to the proposed project. The commission may
reconsider its authorization for a revised project under s.
PSC
184.05.
(c) If the scope, design, or location of a
project receiving commission authorization under s.
PSC 184.05
changes significantly, or if it is discovered or identified that the project
cost may exceed the estimated project cost by more than 10 percent, the utility
shall promptly notify the commission as soon as the utility becomes aware of
the possible change or cost increase. The commission may reconsider its
authorization for a revised project under s.
PSC
184.05.
(2) CONSULTATION. For projects subject to s.
196.025(2m),
Stats., before submitting an application for a certificate, a utility shall
consult with commission staff, in cooperation with staff from the department,
on the scope of the proposed project, the alternatives that must be considered
in the application, and additional information that the commission may require
as part of the application.
(3)
CONTENTS OF APPLICATION. A person or utility seeking authorization for any
activity under s.
PSC
184.03(1) and (2) or a utility
seeking a certificate under s.
PSC
184.03(3) shall submit an application
to the commission that includes all of the following, where applicable:
(a) A description of the project including
all project components, phases, and a schedule of construction.
(b) Information supporting the purpose and
necessity of the project.
(c) An
analysis and description of alternatives to the project.
(d) An analysis of the effect of the project
on the quality and reliability of service.
(e) The project cost itemized by major plant
accounts as identified in the uniform system of accounts, including all
administrative, overhead, engineering, legal, construction, and inspection
costs.
(f) Identification of the
proposed project funding sources, including utility or municipal sources and
outside grants or loans. If the project will be financed, the utility shall
include expected financing rates and terms.
(g) An estimate of annual operating costs of
the project, by major expense accounts as identified in the uniform system of
accounts.
(h) A description of any
plant being retired or replaced and the year it was placed in service, if
known.
(i) A map showing the
location of the project and all proposed facilities by Public Land Survey
System (PLSS) quarter-quarter section or by another methodology approved by the
commission.
(j) A list of any
permits or approvals required by other state agencies or local governmental
units and a statement indicating whether the permits or approvals have been
applied for or obtained.
(k) For a
project under s.
PSC
184.03(3), that includes new or
expanded groundwater wells, surface water intakes, or other sources of water
supply, information on any action the utility has taken to mitigate the need
for the project.
(L) The
identification of any flood-sensitive facilities that would be located in
designated flood plains or flood-prone areas.
(m) For utility main construction projects,
include all of the following:
1. The
identification and description of each surface water potentially affected by
construction.
2. The identification
and description of each wetland potentially affected by construction.
3. An evaluation of whether any endangered or
threatened species are present and what affect the project could have on those
species. For each species identified, describe how the proposed project may be
modified to reduce or eliminate any potential effect on the species.
4. An evaluation of whether any known
archeological or historical resources are present. For each resource
identified, describe how the proposed project may be modified to reduce or
eliminate any potential effect on the resource.
(n) Information to allow the commission to
prepare an environmental assessment for a project subject to s.
PSC
4.10(2), or for a project that
require coordinated commission and department review under s.
30.025,
Stats. After consultation with the applicant, the commission shall identify any
additional information required on a case-by-case basis.
(p) Any other information relevant to the
project requested by the commission.
(4) GROUPING OF PROJECTS. As an alternative
to requesting a certificate for each project separately, a utility may submit
on an annual basis a list of projects requiring approval under s.
PSC
184.03(3) that the utility intends to
begin constructing within one year. For each project on this list, the utility
shall include the information required by this section.
(5) APPLICATION SUBMITTAL. A person or
utility shall submit an application under this section using the commission's
Electronic Regulatory Filing (ERF) system.
