Wis. Admin. Code Public Service Commission PSC 4.80

Current through October 28, 2024

Section PSC 4.80 - WEPA coordinator

(1) POWERS AND DUTIES. The commission shall designate a qualified staff person as WEPA coordinator, to coordinate and oversee performance of environmental impact statement procedures and other WEPA requirements. The WEPA coordinator shall:

(a) Act as contact for other state agencies seeking assistance or opinions on environmental impact matters.

(b) Participate on behalf of the commission in inter-agency environmental activities.

(c) Determine appropriate categorization of proposed actions under s. PSC 4.10.

(d) Determine whether an EIS is required for actions listed in s. PSC 4.10(2) or (3).

(e) Determine whether an EA is required for proposed actions listed in s. PSC 4.10(3) or (3m).

(f) Ensure the commission's environmental review of a proposed action complies with s. 1.11, Stats.

(g) Determine the proper time periods for review of EA and EIS documents under ss. PSC 4.20(1m) and (3) (c), 4.30(4) (e) and (5) (d) and 4.50(1).

(2) ASSISTANCE TO APPLICANTS. Any person uncertain as to whether s. PSC 4.10(1), (2) or (3) applies to a project may contact the WEPA coordinator for assistance.

Table 1. Type I Actions

a.	Construct a hydroelectric generating facility at a new dam site.
bg.	Construct an electric transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 k V, if the line is more than 10 miles long and if any related construction activity takes place outside the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
br.	Upgrade an electric transmission line so it is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 k V, if the line is more than 10 miles long and if any related construction activity takes place outside the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
c.	Construct an electric transmission line or substation designed for operation at a nominal voltage greater than 345 kV.
d. e.	Rebuild or upgrade an electric transmission line or substation to a nominal voltage greater than 345 k V. Construct an electric generation facility powered by nuclear energy.
f. g.	Construct an electric generation facility fueled by coal. Construct, at a new electric generation site, any of the following electric generation facilities: a combustion turbine facility; a combined cycle facility; or a cogeneration facility.

Table 2. Type II Actions

a.	Construct, at the site of an existing electric generation facility, any of the following electric generation facilities (if not powered by nuclear energy or fueled by coal): a combustion turbine facility; a combined cycle facility; or a cogeneration facility.
b.	Construct a hydroelectric generation facility at an existing dam site.
br.	Construct any electric generation facility not otherwise specified in Tables 1, 2, or 3.
c.	Construct an electric energy storage facility.
d.	Increase an electric generation facility's capacity significantly beyond its nominal design rating, change the facility's fuel type, add an additional fuel type, or extend the facility's life significantly.
e.	Construct a steam production facility by a steam utility.
f.	Construct an electric transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 100 kV to 345 k V, if any related construction activity takes place outside the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way. This paragraph does not apply to electric transmission lines specified in Item bg., Table 1.
fm.	Rebuild or upgrade an electric transmission line so it is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 100 kV to 345 k V, if any related construction activity takes place outside the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way. This paragraph does not apply to electric transmission lines specified in Item br., Table 1.
g.	Construct an electric transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 k V, if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
gm.	Upgrade an electric transmission line so it is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 k V, if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
h.	Construct an electrical substation designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 100 kV to 345 k V. This paragraph does not apply to distribution substations.
i.	Construct or replace a coal slurry, oil, gas or steam pipeline or water main facility, if the pipeline or main is eight inches or greater in nominal diameter and three or more miles long.
j.	Construct a fuel processing facility, including a coal gasification plant or a resource recovery facility.
k.	Construct a liquefied natural gas plant.
L.	Construct an underground natural gas storage facility.
m.	Adopt or approve long-range commission plans or policies that would predetermine future individual commission actions, if these future actions may significantly affect the human environment.

Table 3. Type III Actions

ac.	Construct an electric transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less than 100 k V.
ah.	Rebuild or upgrade an electric transmission line so it is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less than 100 kV.
am.	Construct an electric transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less than 345 k V, if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
ar.	Upgrade an electric transmission line so it is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less than 345 k V, if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
aw.	Rebuild an electric transmission line so it is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kV or less, if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
b.	Construct an electric distribution line.
c.	Construct an electric substation, designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less than 100 k V, or construct a distribution substation.
cg.	Construct a wind-powered electric generation facility whose nominal capacity is less than 10 MW.
cr.	Construct a solar-powered electric generation facility.
d.	Modify an existing substation.
e.	Construct an electric utility ash disposal facility at a new site, or construct an expansion of an electric utility ash disposal facility at an existing site.
f.	Construct a water well, water storage and distribution system by a water public utility or combined water and sewer public utility under s. 66.077, Stats., except as provided in Item i, Table 2.
g.	Construct a sewage treatment facility by a combined water and sewer utility under s. 66.077, Stats.
h.	Issue an order concerning a telecommunications utility, an alternative telecommunications utility, a telecommunications carrier or a telecommunications provider.
i.	Construct or replace a gas, coal slurry, oil or steam pipeline or water main facility, except as provided in Item i, Table 2.
j.	Construct a fuel storage facility, except as provided in Item l, Table 2.
k.	Establish utility rates.
L.	Issue securities.
m.	Certify depreciation rates.
n.	Provide utility service to a new area.
o.	Purchase, sell or transfer utility property.
p.	Construct a utility facility, other than an electric generation facility, not otherwise specified in Table 1, 2 or 3.
q.	Establish river water power toll allocations.
r.	Establish a territorial agreement between utilities.
s.	Conduct an affiliated interest transaction under s. 196.52, Stats.
t.	Conduct a generic commission investigation of rate-making methods or rate structures.
u.	Issue an order specifying proper utility accounting methods.
v.	Issue an order concerning the adequacy of utility service.
vm.	A docket opened to review a petition under s. PSC 128.51.
w.	Proposed changes or additions to Administrative Code.
x.	Proposed legislation.
y.	Formation of holding companies.
z.	Approval of an application under s. 196.491(3m) (a), Stats., by an affiliated interest of a public utility to own, control, or operate a wholesale merchant plant.

Wis. Admin. Code Public Service Commission PSC 4.80

CR Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; am. (1) (g), Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.