[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6228268,"mediaKeyId","3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77","parentId",3476666,"title","Public Service Commission grants Oak Creek  CPCN for about 1,100 MW gas-fired plant; opens cost-overrun investigation","audioSeconds",6095,"startMs",364985,"endMs",6460485,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77&start=364&end=6460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77/thumbnail_364985.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228268/Wisconsin/Public-Service-Commission-grants-Oak-Creek-CPCN-for-about-1100-MW-gas-fired-plant-opens-cost-overrun-investigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228268-f9410ad555549d96c4ef296d689699f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505650&Signature=ZGOiwPJvearCg8oWis3D5fsVA5Be93iRUcyEDl3eyw70HQHCFR9cQdgj6kqLY3jW08Gv2V~8fWq7DwzYceggYcFHGM-DDkJrt7gm3cXFflOav5V~iv2T8ZDvz1KOKqS-b-fFVc0cS-aGwXPdWC19gIydv2mXhLKiorkYGDBZ4qRQduEqWlASLh6kFvb0ZcZ3t6jjTtPy0VBeHPjO38dKUYDFN6Rsrw6bRrrLMXyaRc~OqcUabNaDWku~JUOzETjr5mikr-Q3G2r~I~Hfe0NoNt~R4SK50g0xLAyNzWFcd4g54pnP~fllXZcUVUob~TW9swosKiSbot-~EoH5tzzBpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Public Service Commission, WI","date","2025-05-24T00:05:56.96Z","article","The Public Service Commission on May 22, 2025, voted to grant Wisconsin Electric Power Company a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to build the Oak Creek CT project — a proposal of five combustion-turbine generators, each with a nominal 220-megawatt capacity for a total of about 1,100 megawatts — subject to project-specific conditions and new reporting requirements.

The commission said the project is intended to address significant near-term load growth in southeastern Wisconsin and provide dispatchable, on-demand generation to complement intermittent renewable resources. Chairperson Strand said the record and modeling work demonstrated need and that, with conditions, the project meets statutory criteria for a CPCN. The commission also voted to open a generic investigation into cost overruns affecting major construction projects.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the decision around reliability, near-term forecasted load growth in the I‑94 corridor, and the need for dispatchable generation that can run when renewables cannot. The project drew heavy public participation, extensive intervenor testimony, and detailed modeling and environmental review. The DNR-PSC environmental review concluded the proposal could be permitted and noted that, with the retirement of existing Oak Creek coal units and proposed emission limits, regulated emissions from the site would decrease.

Most important facts

- Proposal: the Oak Creek CT (OCCT) project consists of five combustion-turbine generators, each having a nominal 220 MW capacity (approximately 1,100 MW total). Chairperson Strand summarized the proposal and the procedural history, including notice of proceeding issued Aug. 15, 2024.

- Record and public participation: PSC staff and interveners undertook modeling, environmental assessments and numerous data requests; the docket included public hearings and 553 written public comments filed through the PSC website. Interveners in the proceeding included Citizens Utility Board, Clean Wisconsin, Sierra Club, Renew Wisconsin, Walnut Way Conservation Corps, the Union of Concerned Scientists and several others.

- Commission findings: Commissioners concluded, after reviewing the record and modeling sensitivities, that the project satisfies the statutory tests for a CPCN (need, public interest, energy-priority law alternatives, impacts on applicant service efficiency and land-use). The commission found the project was routinely selected in the applicant’s portfolio modeling and that other alternatives were not shown to be cost‑effective, technically feasible, and environmentally preferable in the relevant timeframes.

- Environmental review: PSC staff and DNR prepared an environmental assessment. The record states staff did not identify potential environmental effects considered significant and that the project—combined with the permanent shutdown of existing Oak Creek coal-fired units—would result in “significant permanent reductions to emissions from the Oak Creek Power Plant,” according to the environmental assessment included in the record.

- Conditions adopted and reporting requirements: The commission attached multiple conditions to the approval. Key condition and reporting decisions include:
- A strict notification and reporting regime for potential cost increases and overruns: if the project cost (excluding AFUDC) may be exceeded, the applicant must notify the commission within 30 days of discovery and \"itemize and segregate those costs by major accounts and provide sufficient documentation to support and explain the reasons for such deviations.\" Chairperson Strand said the documentation must be “forthcoming, substantive, thorough, and detailed.”
- The commission declined to adopt the applicant’s proposed 10% tolerance band and instead retained a hard-cap/notification practice the commission has used since 2023.
- The commission will require the applicant to notify the PSC within 30 days if a very large customer’s load forecast “significantly decreases,” and to trigger the customer-protection mechanisms described in testimony and approved tariffs.
- The commission included standard construction conditions but modified them for this docket: it removed a standard condition applicable to merchant developers (romanette 6), retained quarterly labor-reporting requirements (romanette 9 subitems 5–7), and kept a “line-of-sight” mitigation requirement but modified it to require mitigation only “to the extent practicable.”
- The commission directed the applicant to incorporate competitive bid reporting into quarterly reports where applicable.
- The commission accepted a commissioner-proposed requirement that the applicant include a plan to pursue additional demand-response opportunities in its next rate proceeding, and reserved judgment on the specifics until that filing.

- Generic investigation: Chairperson Strand proposed and the commission authorized opening a generic investigation into cost-overrun causes, management, mitigation and prevention strategies. Strand said, “I am going to propose that the commission open an investigation on the cost overrun topic,” and described a scope that would include causes, frequency, contract provisions (including force majeure), monitoring, and study of how other states handle the issue. Commissioners said the investigation would be prioritized by staff and that, in the interim, staff would continue to collect project‑specific information and issue data requests as needed.

Record excerpts and attribution

Chairperson Strand: “I am going to propose that the commission open an investigation on the cost overrun topic.” Chairperson Strand also described the reporting expectation: the applicant must provide “sufficient documentation to support and explain the reasons” for any cost deviations.

Commissioner Nieto: supported the approach of spreading project benefits and the demand-response follow-up requirement in a future rate case.

Commissioner Hawkins: emphasized reliability as the primary standard and said the commission must protect ratepayers by ensuring utilities plan sufficient resources.

What the commission did not do

- The commission did not adopt several intervener-proposed prescriptive measures that the commissioners judged legally or procedurally premature for a single CPCN order (for example, certain detailed change-order approvals or prescriptive force‑majeure definitions), and directed those topics into the new generic investigation.

Next steps and implementation

The commission’s written order will set out the detailed conditions and reporting templates. Staff was directed to open the generic investigation and prepare a scoping memo for the commission’s consideration. The motion to grant the CPCN and the related conditions passed unanimously. The PSC recorded the motion on docket 6630CU317.

Ending

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed under the terms and conditions adopted today; staff and interveners will remain engaged through the reporting and investigation process as the project progresses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PSC Commission Meeting 5/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Service Commission on May 22, 2025, voted to grant Wisconsin Electric Power Company a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to build the Oak Creek CT project — five combustion turbines totaling about 1,100 megawatts — subject to strict cost-reporting, customer-protection and environmental conditions.","taxTitle","Public Service Commission, State Agencies, Executive, Wisconsin","taxId",28457,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228258,"PSC awards Wisconsin Lifeline grants to spread discounts for low-income households; approves alternative that funds more projects",216,128525,345254,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77&start=128&end=345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77/thumbnail_128525.jpg","/articles/6228258/Wisconsin/PSC-awards-Wisconsin-Lifeline-grants-to-spread-discounts-for-low-income-households-approves-alternative-that-funds-more-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228258-7597390223122b38bf865f80ad59e508/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505650&Signature=NHNVRR18kWD3JfsofGIHjJjNa7-6YQaUAjLANcvBDJgO4r4127d3M3WVnqcJpAk4VF5GaTMwF7jQ8FT-ZKWvftNXgYIoL1hDE~~FNJP8nh1f9Zx7Rij-kxdLMjGf5xtJykoki78ScjiZHF6Tv~Mqv49Nt9KGtuRHiKr0tvdAFVYtn9wjqgCU23MnmudqYPq33KPdyysWsUAuc1XJcx-2lewSUfe9BizDiP5cNObUgpfeCnE~Hh0cc3AgyVHPRnEAMId34L3kN0kznahRvsTlzho~u7Be-EpxCcx1MPASjBYkY-8AJ950gv38-x6W4kTUaaM~ayPumDTFXc8Gv3ng~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Commission on May 22, 2025, approved awards from Wisconsin’s Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline program and chose a funding alternative that balances merit and broader geographic reach. The commission recorded nine applications for the Lifeline grants — eight under Track 1 and one under Track 2 — with a combined funding request of $420,392.64.

The Lifeline program provides an additional state discount to eligible low-income households on top of the federal Lifeline benefit, delivered through eligible telecommunications carriers operating across the state. The commission said the current funding cycle drew more applications and larger requested funding than prior cycles, which staff attributed to outreach efforts.

Screening and decision

A five-member screening panel (two PSC staff and three USF council members) independently evaluated the applications and recommended funding priorities. Chairperson Strand told commissioners the panel presented two viable award alternatives in the staff memo and said, “Ultimately, I decided alternative 2 was my preferred option because it strikes a balance between awarding funding based on merit while supporting a larger number of projects in more areas across the state.” Commissioners Nieto and Hawkins said they supported alternative 2 as well.

Commission action

The commission adopted a motion to award the USF Lifeline grants consistent with the discussion. The motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor.

What the record shows

- Applications and funding: Nine applications were received (eight Track 1, one Track 2) requesting $420,392.64 in total; the record shows increased participation compared with earlier funding cycles.

- Evaluation: A screening panel of five reviewers (two PSC staff and three USF council members) completed independent evaluations. The panel recommended two alternatives; commissioners selected the second alternative, which made partial awards intended to allow applicants to complete their projects while distributing funds to more areas.

- Next steps: PSC staff will finalize award notices and work with awarded applicants and eligible carriers on implementation and reporting. The commission did not announce specific dollar awards for individual applicants on the public docket during the meeting.

Quotes

Chairperson Strand: “Ultimately, I decided alternative 2 was my preferred option because it strikes a balance between awarding funding based on merit while supporting a larger number of projects in more areas across the state.”

Commissioner Nieto: praised staff outreach and noted the program was highly subscribed compared to available funds.

Ending

The commission’s action authorizes staff to implement the alternative 2 awards and coordinate with applicants and carriers to deliver the Lifeline discounts to eligible low-income households across Wisconsin.","The Public Service Commission voted May 22, 2025, to approve funding awards for Wisconsin's Universal Service Lifeline program, endorsing a staff-sponsored alternative that spreads partial awards across more applicants after the commission received nine applications requesting $420,392.64 in total.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228263,"PSC approves Paris RICE project, selects alternate site 2 and requires incremental cost reporting",3270,7813260,11083745,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77&start=7813&end=11083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3476666-7c4ae52f1cf7f7d8c9f29d3908cc1a77/thumbnail_7813260.jpg","/articles/6228263/Wisconsin/PSC-approves-Paris-RICE-project-selects-alternate-site-2-and-requires-incremental-cost-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228263-790fd4a3c4a0d2aef625f82ee5a52765/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505650&Signature=X83S5fdXTGEgc4VeWWUHrPPDw96m~5rue2smtPiUa4ZI6XyY7mcpOQ-ZOF6BfAkJDuS-RjU7YvkZ7taUrDkknO9keUC5jjRllr3lwggeNW61QOsXvRIKHYVdATliktNXdtOu-ZoyGYcq7MkN0GC20SkFxidvCISMXeeit2dLt7tnn-v9xqSlkUr6H0B0T8YrSQq5HTtdhu~GXXB8~LTnAz6dFWxirvut-5aygRsUR-fQXnb~2SAmM3aeNACqBjVLetE88hNczxQcpbutsSlup7VO3ayH7MtWXTKXmEdoUhiEYIAhbq2npILwu9Iog88bfJz8zrf~W8CXHK9iEQXTzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Service Commission on May 22, 2025, approved a certificate of public convenience and necessity for Wisconsin Electric Power Company to construct, own and operate the Paris RICE project: seven reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) generators with a combined capacity of approximately 128 megawatts and a 138-kilovolt generator tie line to the nearby Paris solar collector substation. The commission authorized the project at the applicant’s alternate site 2 and attached conditions requiring detailed cost reporting and standard environmental and construction conditions.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the project would provide flexible, dispatchable capacity to back up renewable generation as the applicant serves expected near‑term load growth. The proceeding included a jointly prepared environmental impact statement under the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), extensive modeling and multiple interveners. Commissioners weighed timing, interconnection capacity, and local land‑use considerations when choosing the site.

Key facts

- Project description and cost: The Paris RICE project is comprised of seven generators, each with a stated 18.8 MW capacity for approximately 128 MW total. The applicant estimated project construction costs of approximately $279.6 million with an allowance for funds used during construction of $23.7 million.

- Environmental review and interveners: PSC and DNR staff prepared a joint environmental impact statement (EIS) under WEPA. Interveners and parties included Citizens Utility Board, Clean Wisconsin, the City of Milwaukee, Kenosha County, Renew Wisconsin, the Town of Paris, the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group and the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition.

- Modeling and interconnection issues: The record included modeling and sensitivity scenarios; some sensitivities (for example, removal of greenhouse-gas constraints or greatly reduced demand) did not select the Paris RICE units, but the overall modeling package included scenarios where Paris was selected. Commissioners discussed concerns about surplus interconnection service and whether surplus capacity could materially change project economics; applicant testimony showed most of the project’s energy was expected to be scheduled at high-priced, non-solar hours, limiting the economic effect of early surplus service.

- Siting decision and local input: The applicant evaluated three potential sites in the Town of Paris. The Town of Paris expressed strong opposition to the applicant’s preferred site, raising land‑use, drainage and aesthetic concerns and supporting alternative site 2. Commissioners balanced those local concerns against schedule and cost impacts. After deliberation the commission authorized the project at alternative site 2.

- Reporting on alternative-site incremental costs: Commissioners required the applicant to provide post‑approval reporting on any incremental final project costs attributable to the use of alternative site 2. The commission directed the applicant to itemize incremental costs in three categories: (1) engine-related warranty extensions, additional storage/handling and similar equipment-owner charges; (2) procurement and transport of equipment, reperforming site-specific design and geotechnical work and inflation; and (3) owner’s costs for land acquisition, permit modifications, inflation, and insurance. Commissioners said the requirement is intended to provide transparency and a basis for later review in rate or other proceedings should costs increase.

Commissioner statements and attribution

- Chairperson Strand framed the proceeding around statutory CPCN criteria and the modeling record, and said the commission’s decision would include site‑specific conditions.

- Commissioner Nieto said she supports a reporting requirement in the event a very large customer’s load forecast significantly decreases, and she supported alternative site 2 given the record and the Town of Paris’s participation.

- Commissioner Hawkins, who emphasized local participation, stated that the Town of Paris raised valid concerns about impacts to land use and that alternative site 2 would limit impacts to non‑residential properties. Hawkins proposed the specific incremental-cost reporting elements the commission adopted and asked that the commission keep the baseline cost estimate (the $279.6 million figure) as the reported cap for the project so that any incremental costs above that baseline would be tracked and subject to later review.

What the commission did not adopt

- The commission did not adopt intervener proposals that would impose prescriptive project changes judged legally or procedurally infeasible; several such topics were referred into the generic cost‑overrun investigation instead.

Outcome and next steps

- The commission granted the CPCN for the Paris RICE project (docket 6630CE316) with the conditions described above and with standard environmental and construction conditions.

- Staff was directed to continue project oversight, to accept the incremental-cost reports identified above if they arise, and to include any relevant scope items in the generic cost‑overrun investigation authorized the same day.

Ending

The commission’s written order will list the approved site, the cost-reporting template and the specific standard conditions. The motion to grant the CPCN passed unanimously. The commission noted it will address cost‑recovery and other ratemaking questions in future proceedings if and when project costs are presented for recovery.","The Public Service Commission on May 22, 2025, granted Wisconsin Electric Power Company a CPCN for the Paris reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) project — seven 18.8-MW units (about 128 MW) — and, after siting debate, authorized the applicant to use the alternate site 2; the commission also required the applicant to report incremental","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Service Commission grants Oak Creek CPCN for about 1,100 MW gas-fired plant; opens cost-overrun investigation

PSC awards Wisconsin Lifeline grants to spread discounts for low-income households; approves alternative that funds more projects

PSC approves Paris RICE project, selects alternate site 2 and requires incremental cost reporting

Public Service Commission grants Oak Creek  CPCN for about 1,100 MW gas-fired plant; opens cost-overrun investigation