At its November 7 open meeting, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) took up rate increase proposals from both WE Energies and WPS utilities. The PSC either authorized or provided minor modifications to the utilities’ proposed plans for future costs, financials, and rate increases. A Wisconsin Public Radio article summarizes the results and reactions to the PSC’s decisions.

RENEW participated as a party in these rate cases and concentrated our efforts on utility policies, programs, and pricing that influence clean energy adoption for its customers. Although the PSC authorized some significant rate increases, it also authorized clean technology improvements that RENEW proposed and supported in these cases.

As it relates to WE Energies, RENEW has been working to eliminate the utility’s requirement to install two meters for its net energy metering customers, a cost-prohibitive requirement for people considering rooftop solar. WE Energies initially proposed allowing single bidirectional metering no sooner than January 1, 2026. RENEW pushed back on this implementation date, requesting a January 1, 2025 implementation date. The PSC ultimately authorized a compromise of June 1, 2025.

For both WE Energies and WPS utilities, RENEW also proposed an increase to the threshold for commercial customers to install larger “behind-the-meter” (BTM) distributed generation (DG), which, in many cases, is rooftop solar. RENEW proposed an increase from the current 1,000 kilowatts (kW) maximum to 5,000 kW, which is in line with other Wisconsin utilities as well as federal guidance. Although the utilities disagreed with RENEW’s proposal, the PSC ultimately agreed with RENEW and required these utilities to increase their commercial BTM offerings up to 5,000 kW by 2025, allowing commercial customers to increase their energy independence through clean energy. 

Vote Solar also provided testimony regarding utility-avoided costs in relation to more equitable pricing for these larger commercial DG systems, which RENEW supported. While the PSC did not authorize pricing changes in these rate cases, it agreed to investigate these issues further in separate cases in the future.

We also saw changes with the EV pilot program and the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) smart thermostat program for both WE Energies and WPS utilities. In the Electric Vehicle rate case, RENEW supported several changes to benefit EV owners.

• Increasing a bill credit cap for home charging beyond the initial proposal
• Allowing customers to own their charging equipment 
• Utility collaboration on developing a model for a multifamily dwelling EV charging program
• Maintaining an EV charging rate of 50 kW to ensure the businesses can access a bill credit

The PSC kept the new home charging bill credit at its initially suggested rate of 400kWh and increased the threshold for businesses to access a bill credit to 150kW, going against our recommendations. The PSC did, however, approve the use of customer-owned charging equipment and the need for utilities to develop a model for EV charging at multifamily dwellings, like apartment buildings.

For the BYOD potion of the rate cases, WE Energies requested that their program be identical to Madison Gas and Electric’s original BYOD program with a participation cap of 7,000 devices (or homes). These programs allow utilities to connect to thermostats and adjust temperatures to lower energy use during periods of high use. These programs help save energy, control costs, and help reduce emissions.

RENEW requested a higher participant cap in the smart thermostat program due to We Energies and WPS’s larger customer base. We also asked for increased collaboration to explore future technologies, an earlier implementation date for these programs, and data reporting on participation and savings. The PSC raised the cap to 64,000 participants for WE Energies and 24,000 for WPS, mandated collaboration with RENEW to explore future technologies and ordered data reporting as requested. The PSC set the implementation date for these programs for January 2026 instead of moving up the deadline to the summer of 2025 as suggested by RENEW.

All in all, RENEW staff were able to achieve some focused and notable victories in these cases! Below is a summary of these clean technology policy improvements that will occur starting in 2025:

Applicable to WE Energies and WPS:

• Large BTM DG systems are currently limited to 1,000 kW, but after RENEW’s testimony and recommendations the PSC will increase to 5,000 kW systems
• PSC will take up several utility-avoided cost issues in new dockets
• PSC authorized new BYOD smart thermostat pilot programs
• PSC authorized improvements to both residential and commercial EV charging programs

Specific to WE Energies:

• PSC authorized a compromise for bidirectional metering for net energy metering customers, with an implementation date of June 1, 2025.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has approved the Vista Sands solar project at its full size of 1.3 gigawatts. The impact of this decision is difficult to understate, as this project alone will reduce the carbon emissions of our state’s electric sector by nearly 5 percent. This would mean the removal of 1.7 million short tons of carbon emissions each year by producing enough solar energy to power nearly 250,000 typical Wisconsin homes.

The project also has significant economic benefits and is expected to create about 2,200 jobs during the construction period along with 165 long-term jobs. In all the project is estimated to increase Wisconsin’s long-term economic output by more than $50 million. Local governments within the project area will also benefit from annual utility aid payments of $6.5 million through the course of the project’s life.

RENEW Wisconsin staff and our supporters have advocated for the project since it was proposed by the developer, Doral Renewables, LLC. Our policy team provided expert testimony and analysis in support of the project, which helped the PSC reach their decision to approve it. In their decision on Thursday, December 12, the PSC affirmed the collaborative efforts of the developer as it navigated competing opinions surrounding the project.

The project was at risk of being subjected to half-mile setbacks from the Buena Vista Wildlife Area, which would have significantly reduced its size and put the economics of the project in jeopardy. The request for the setback came out of concern for the greater prairie chicken, a threatened species of bird.

RENEW recognizes the need for balance as we work to meet our decarbonization goals and we agree with the PSC that the Doral provided robust collaboration with the many parties interested in the project and surrounding area. Around 90 percent of the project is located more than half a mile from the wildlife area and the developer has set aside additional habitat for greater prairie chicken populations. The developer also eliminated most of the above-ground transmission in their plan, will install bird diverters on fencing, and will fund the maintenance of existing conservation land.

Now that it’s approved, the project is expected to break ground in the spring of next year with an estimated completion date of December 2028. This project sets a new bar for future solar installations across the state.

Recently RENEW Wisconsin joined 350 Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin, Elevate, West Cap, and Powerlines to discuss the proposed changes to electric metering rules. You can watch the webinar and read below to learn more about the subject and how you can get involved.

Installing clean energy technology such as solar panels on multifamily buildings, whether they be apartments, condos, or co-ops often has more hurdles than it does for single-family homes and businesses. Wisconsin’s rules surrounding electric metering of Wisconsin residential buildings, (PSC 113.0803), require each individual unit of a building to have its own electric meters.

Electric metering has a direct impact on installation costs for technologies such as solar arrays, heat pumps, and more. This is mainly due to the amount of wiring required through the building to meet current requirements.

These outdated metering rules can exclude those who live in multifamily buildings from the benefits provided by clean and energy-efficient technology. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is actively reviewing the rules in order to update them. We look forward to a favorable change to these rules.

Speakers:

Orrie Walsvik, RENEW Wisconsin

Ciaran Gallagher, Clean Wisconsin

Emily Park, 350 Wisconsin

Heather Allen, Elevate

Mike Noreen, West Cap

And special guest, Charles Hua, Powerlines

A Brief History on Recent Net Metering Decisions at the State Level

In 2023, Wisconsin utilities proposed to dramatically change Net Energy Metering (NEM) policies in the areas they provide energy. Such changes would have reduced the financial benefits for consumers with solar arrays at their homes or businesses. These proposals were ultimately rejected by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), however, the Commission agreed to gather more information in a separate statewide investigatory docket. RENEW staff wrote a blog on this topic last November.

This past March, the PSC reopened an existing investigation into parallel generation, also defined as consumer-generated electricity, to direct the future of NEM policy for the state of Wisconsin. Commission staff also issued a memo for comment on issues related to NEM, and requested information and analysis on these issues, including how Wisconsin could approach a potential Value of Solar Study (VOSS). Along with several other organizations, RENEW submitted comments to the PSC with regard to how the PSC should approach a VOSS and other analytical aspects of NEM policy.

Explaining the PSC’s Recent Decision on Net Energy Metering Policy

After gathering comments and information on VOSS, on September 26 Commission staff posted a memo outlining potential next steps, and the Commission quickly discussed and made a couple of important decisions. During the open meeting, the Commission announced that Commission staff have been working with Berkeley Lab and other national lab staff to conduct a nationwide VOSS literature review. The Commission decided to take no action until more information is gathered.

The Commission essentially decided to:

1) Wait until this VOSS literature review is complete

2) Post VOSS literature review for public comment

3) Decide what the next actionable steps are in the investigation

If interested, you can watch the YouTube archive of this meeting, with the NEM investigation discussion starting at the 3:20 mark.

Given the need to gather more information, RENEW believes that this was a good decision by the Commission. It shows that the PSC will use a deliberate process in this investigation and associated analyses, and is not interested in making immediate changes to NEM policy. RENEW staff are keeping an eye out for the results of the VOSS literature review and look forward to commenting and suggesting next steps for the PSC to consider.

Recent PSC Decision on Parallel Generation Buyback Rates

While the Commission further investigates NEM policy, the agency has also been actively revising utility pricing for large solar systems sited by businesses for their own use. The price a utility pays for energy generation beyond a customer’s needs is listed in its parallel generation buyback rates for systems above NEM thresholds.* While the Commission has already revised buyback rates for Wisconsin’s five major investor-owned utilities, it has also begun to consider municipal utility-proposed revisions. RENEW staff wrote a blog regarding Sturgeon Bay Utility’s proposed parallel generation rate revisions this past May.

During an open meeting discussion on October 10, the Commission considered Sturgeon Bay Utilities’ (SBU) proposal to revise its buyback rates. The Commission decided that it needed more information before revising SBU’s buyback rates, and requested that Commission staff reopen the docket to gather more information and analysis through an extended proceeding. The Commission’s decision on SBU’s proposed change could have sweeping impacts across the state as SBU is part of WPPI Energy, which has many municipal electric utility members in Wisconsin. WPPI has stated that it would like to revise all its municipal utilities’ parallel generation buyback rates in line with the Commission’s decision in the SBU case.

Next Steps on NEM and Parallel Generation Buyback Rates

In the coming months, RENEW expects several important Commission decisions in both the ongoing NEM investigation and individual utility parallel generation cases. RENEW staff will follow upcoming Commission developments closely and will directly participate with witness testimony and public comments. You can follow these issues as well, and make your voice heard when public comment opportunities arise. Sign up for RENEW updates and action alerts so that you can provide timely input on these important issues.

*NEM thresholds vary across Wisconsin utilities. WE Energies has a 300-kilowatt (kW) threshold, NSPW and MGE have 100 kW thresholds, WPL and WPS have 20 kW thresholds, and all other Wisconsin utilities regulated by the PSC have a 20-kW threshold.

For the past eight years, Joey Cheng has worked for ATC, a Wisconsin-based, regulated utility that moves energy along the electric power grid in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. In her position, Cheng and her team assess the present and future needs of the electrical grid. They use electrical system models to analyze grid performance, develop network solutions, and determine the best value plan for interconnecting load and generation to ATC’s system.

Cheng has spent over 20 years working in the power industry. She has held various roles at ATC, including transmission planning engineer and team lead of substation services. She is currently the manager of system planning. Before starting her career in the power industry, Cheng studied at the National Taiwan Ocean University, earning a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. She continued her studies and earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Science in management from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“When I started my career, the electric industry was still heavily reliant on fossil fuels as the main electrical generation resource. But for the last several years, we’ve seen a transition to more renewable energy sources due to public policy changes and concerns over climate change. We are also seeing economic growth in our region that will require more energy and increase the load on our system.”

The electric power you use every day flows through a three-part system – generation, transmission, and distribution. Power plants, solar fields, wind farms, and other sources generate electricity that flows through high-voltage transmission power lines over long distances to substations where the voltage is lowered. The power then flows over smaller, local wires known as distribution lines to homes and businesses. The high-voltage power lines are like interstate highways and are a cornerstone of our nation’s electric power system.

Cheng explains that the transition from traditional generation sources (like coal) to renewable energy generation (like solar and wind) brings new needs and challenges to grid planning. She views this with excitement — a new challenge means a new opportunity. How the grid is built today helps ensure reliable energy for tomorrow.

“It’s like a puzzle, and because the issues are new, sometimes we don’t have all the pieces yet,” Cheng said, “But it’s the collaboration of other colleagues, our utility customers, and others in the industry that make it possible for us to interconnect new load and generation sources and strengthen the grid during this time. We can’t rely on just one person; it’s everybody having to contribute and collaborate.” Cheng shared that the collaborative culture at ATC is one of the reasons her team can keep up with the industry demand and remain flexible while planning.

Work like Cheng’s can help Wisconsin to better utilize current renewable energy resources by reducing electric grid constraints and keeping the power flowing. Currently, wind farms in eastern Iowa and southwest Wisconsin are not fully utilized. With more renewable energy projects coming online over the next decade, this challenge may continue unless electric grid infrastructure is expanded in the Upper Midwest, something that is necessary to support RENEW’s mission to advance renewable energy in Wisconsin.

And although electric grid system planning may not have the same public visibility as the release of a new cell phone, ATC’s behind-the-scenes work supports everyday life and is critical to society. While a phone connects us to the world around us, the electric grid powers our communities and keeps lights on in Wisconsin homes and businesses. Each ATC office is also involved in their local community. Cheng has been active in her community by participating in the De Pere Chamber of Commerce’s Art in the Park and cleanup of the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay.

When Cheng thinks about system planning for the electric grid, she feels very motivated, explaining that ATC has provided her with various leadership and engineering opportunities to learn and grow alongside the industry. She says the technical work is challenging and intriguing at the same time, and the support and collaboration with her colleagues make the experience rewarding.

“Because the industry is changing, the environment is evolving. It’s important to keep up with the latest standards, the latest technology, and the latest trends in the industry. That’s what we’re trying to do at ATC in order to provide a safe and reliable pathway for power.”

When she isn’t working, Cheng loves reading, exercising, and traveling with her family. To her, work-life balance is essential.

“We all have very challenging work that requires a lot of focus and energy. As a manager, I make it a point to lead by example and take time to relax and recharge. I encourage my team to do the same. Work is important, but so is having a fulfilling life outside of work.”

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is committed to preserving their environment and fostering sustainable growth. In the face of a rapidly changing climate, investing in clean energy isn’t just about harnessing the power of the sun and wind—it’s about empowering their community, protecting their sacred lands, and ensuring a vibrant future for generations to come. With increased clean energy funding opportunities, such as those provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is creating new opportunities, enhancing economic resilience, and supporting the Tribe’s cultural values.

Special thanks to Isaiah Ness (Sun Bear Industries) and Zoar Fulwilder (Mavid Construction Services) for their work to advance clean energy in Tribal communities and for inviting RENEW to witness the transformation.