Wisconsin Code § 196.491

Strategic energy assessment; electric generating facilities and transmission lines; natural gas lines
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(1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(am) “Affiliated interest” has the meaning given in s. 196.52
(1).
(b) “Commencement of construction” means site clearing, excavation, placement of facilities or any other substantial action
adversely affecting the natural environment of the site, but does
not mean borings necessary to determine foundation conditions
or other preconstruction monitoring to establish background information related to site or environmental suitability.
(bm) “Cooperative association” means a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or furnishing electric energy at retail or wholesale to its
members only.
(c) “Department” means the department of natural resources.
(d) “Electric utility” means any public utility, as defined in s.
196.01, which is involved in the generation, distribution and sale
of electric energy, and any corporation, company, individual or
association, and any cooperative association, which owns or operates, or plans within the next 3 years to construct, own or operate,
facilities in the state.
(e) “Facility” means a large electric generating facility or a
high-voltage transmission line.
(f) Except as provided in subs. (2) (b) 8. and (3) (d) 3m. ,
“high-voltage transmission line” means a conductor of electric
energy exceeding one mile in length designed for operation at a
nominal voltage of 100 kilovolts or more, together with associated facilities, and does not include transmission line relocations
that are within an electronics and information technology manufacturing zone designated under s. 238.396 (1m) or that the commission determines are necessary to facilitate highway or airport
projects.
(g) “Large electric generating facility” means electric generating equipment and associated facilities designed for nominal operation at a capacity of 100 megawatts or more.
(w) 1. “Wholesale merchant plant” means, except as provided in subd. 2., electric generating equipment and associated
facilities located in this state that do not provide service to any retail customer and that are owned and operated by any of the
following:

a. Subject to the approval of the commission under sub. (3m)
(a), an affiliated interest of a public utility.
b. A person that is not a public utility.
2. “Wholesale merchant plant” does not include an electric
generating facility or an improvement to an electric generating facility that is subject to a leased generation contract, as defined in
s. 196.52 (9) (a) 3.
(2) STRATEGIC ENERGY ASSESSMENT. (a) The commission
shall prepare a biennial strategic energy assessment that evaluates
the adequacy and reliability of the state’s current and future electrical supply. The strategic energy assessment shall do all of the
following:
3. Identify and describe large electric generating facilities on
which an electric utility plans to commence construction within 3
years.
3g. Assess the adequacy and reliability of purchased generation capacity and energy to serve the needs of the public.
3m. Identify and describe high-voltage transmission lines on
which an electric utility plans to commence construction within 3
years.
3r. Identify and describe any plans for assuring that there is
an adequate ability to transfer electric power into the state and the
transmission area, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (g) , in a reliable
manner.
4. Identify and describe the projected demand for electric energy and the basis for determining the projected demand.
7. Identify and describe activities to discourage inefficient
and excessive power use.
9. Identify and describe existing and planned generating facilities that use renewable sources of energy.
10. Consider the public interest in economic development,
public health and safety, protection of the environment and diversification of sources of energy supplies.
11. Assess the extent to which the regional bulk-power market is contributing to the adequacy and reliability of the state’s
electrical supply.
12. Assess the extent to which effective competition is contributing to a reliable, low-cost and environmentally sound source
of electricity for the public.
13. Assess whether sufficient electric capacity and energy
will be available to the public at a reasonable price.
(ag) The commission shall promulgate rules that establish
procedures and requirements for reporting information that is
necessary for the commission to prepare strategic energy assessments under par. (a).
(b) On or before July 1, 2000, and on or before July 1 of each
even-numbered year thereafter, the commission shall issue a draft
of the biennial strategic energy assessment that it prepares under
par. (a) to each of the following:
1. Department of administration.
2. Department of safety and professional services.
3. Department of health services.
4. Department of justice.
5. Department of natural resources.
6. Department of transportation.
7. The director or chairperson of each regional planning
commission constituted under s. 66.0309 which has jurisdiction
over any area where a facility is proposed to be located or which
requests a copy of such plan.
8. The lower Wisconsin state riverway board if the draft includes an assessment of the construction, modification or relocation of a high-voltage transmission line, as defined in s. 30.40
(3r), that is located in the lower Wisconsin riverway as defined in
s. 30.40 (15).
9. Each person that is required to report information to the
commission under the rules promulgated under par. (ag).
10. The clerk of each city, village, town and county that, as
determined by the commission, is affected by the assessment.
(e) Any state agency, as defined in s. 16.310 (1), county, municipality, town, or person may submit written comments to the
commission on a strategic energy assessment within 90 days after
copies of the draft are issued under par. (b).
(f) Section 1.11 (2) (c) shall not apply to a strategic energy assessment prepared under par. (a).
(g) No sooner than 30 and no later than 90 days after copies of
the draft are issued under par. (b), the commission shall hold a
hearing on the draft which may not be a hearing under s. 227.42
or 227.44. The hearing shall be held in an administrative district,
established by executive order 22, issued August 24, 1970, which
the commission determines will be significantly affected by facilities on which an electric utility plans to commence construction
within 3 years. The commission may thereafter adjourn the hearing to other locations or may conduct the hearing by interactive
video conference or other electronic method. Notice of such
hearing shall be given by class 1 notice, under ch. 985, published
in the official state newspaper and such other regional papers of
general circulation as may be designated by the commission. At
such hearing the commission shall briefly describe the strategic
energy assessment and give all interested persons an opportunity,
subject to reasonable limitations on the presentation of repetitious material, to express their views on any aspect of the strategic
energy assessment. A record of the hearing shall be made and
considered by the commission as comments on the strategic energy assessment under par. (e).
(gm) Based on comments received on a draft, the commission
shall prepare a final strategic energy assessment within 90 days
after a hearing under par. (g). The commission shall provide
copies of the final strategic energy assessment to any state
agency, county, municipality, town or other person who submitted comments on the draft under par. (e) and to the persons specified in par. (b).
(2r) LOCAL ORDINANCES. No local ordinance may prohibit
or restrict testing activities undertaken by an electric utility for
purposes of determining the suitability of a site for the placement
of a facility. Any local unit of government objecting to such testing may petition the commission to impose reasonable restrictions on such activity.
(3) CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY.
(a) 1. Except as provided in sub. (3b), no person may commence
the construction of a facility unless the person has applied for and
received a certificate of public convenience and necessity under
this subsection. A person who proposes to construct a large electric generating facility may apply for a certificate for that facility
and for another certificate for an associated high-voltage transmission line for which a certificate under this subsection is required by submitting a single application, and the commission
shall consider that single application by conducting a single proceeding and applying the requirements of this subsection to each
facility addressed in that application in the same manner that the
commission applies the requirements of this subsection to facilities for which separate applications are filed. An application for
a certificate issued under this subsection shall be in the form and
contain the information required by commission rules and shall
be filed with the commission not less than 6 months prior to the
commencement of construction of a facility. Within 10 days after
filing an application under this subdivision, the commission shall

send an electronic copy of the application to the clerk of each municipality and town in which the proposed facility is to be located
and to the main public library in each such county. At the request
of such a clerk or main public library, the commission shall also
send a paper copy of the application.
2. The commission shall determine whether an application
filed under subd. 1. is complete and, no later than 30 days after
the application is filed, notify the applicant about the determination. If the commission determines that the application is incomplete, the notice shall state the reason for the determination. An
applicant may supplement and refile an application that the commission has determined to be incomplete. There is no limit on
the number of times that an applicant may refile an application
under this subdivision. If the commission fails to determine
whether an application is complete within 30 days after the application is filed or refiled, the application shall be considered to be
complete. Within 10 days after the commission determines that
an application is complete or the application is considered to be
complete, the commission shall send an electronic copy of the
complete application to the clerk of each municipality and town
in which the proposed facility is to be located and to the main
public library in each such county. At the request of such a clerk
or main public library, the commission shall also send a paper
copy of the application.
2m. If an application for a large electric generating facility is
complete in all other respects, the commission shall determine
that the application is complete under subd. 2. even if one or more
of the following apply:
a. The application includes some but not all of the information necessary to evaluate or approve the construction of transmission facilities that may be associated with the proposed electric generating facility; and a person other than the applicant will
construct, or be responsible for the construction of, the transmission facilities; and the application is not a single application for
both a certificate for a large electric generating facility and another certificate for a high-voltage transmission line.
b. The applicant proposes alternative construction sites for
the facility that are contiguous or proximate, provided that at least
one of the proposed sites is a brownfield, as defined in s. 238.13
(1) (a), or the site of a former or existing large electric generating
facility.
c. The applicant has not yet obtained all the permits or approvals required for construction.
3. a. At least 60 days before a person files an application under subd. 1., the person shall provide the department with an engineering plan if the facility is a large electric generating facility.
The engineering plan shall show the location of the facility, a description of the facility, including the major components of the
facility that have a significant air, water or solid waste pollution
potential, and a brief description of the anticipated effects of the
facility on air quality, water quality, wetlands, solid waste disposal capacity, and other natural resources. Within 30 days after
a person provides an engineering plan, the department shall provide the person with a listing of each department permit or approval which, on the basis of the information contained in the engineering plan, appears to be required for the construction or operation of the facility.
b. Except as provided under subd. 3. c., within 20 days after
the department provides a listing specified in subd. 3. a. to a person, the person shall apply for the permits and approvals identified in the listing. The department shall determine whether an
application under this subd. 3. b. is complete and, no later than 30
days after the application is filed, notify the applicant about the
determination. If the department determines that the application
is incomplete, the notice shall state the reason for the determination. An applicant may supplement and refile an application that
the department has determined to be incomplete. There is no
limit on the number of times that an applicant may refile an application under this subd. 3. b. If the department fails to determine
whether an application is complete within 30 days after the application is filed, the application shall be considered to be complete.
Except as provided in s. 30.025 (4), the department shall complete action on an application under this subd. 3. b. for any permit
or approval that is required prior to construction of a facility
within 120 days after the date on which the application is determined or considered to be complete.
c. The 20-day deadline specified in subd. 3. b. for applying
for the applicable permits and approvals specified in the listing
provided by the department does not apply to a person proposing
to construct a utility facility for ferrous mineral mining and processing activities governed by subch. III of ch. 295.
(b) The commission shall hold a public hearing on an application filed under par. (a) 1. that is determined or considered to be
complete in the area affected pursuant to s. 227.44. A class 1 notice, under ch. 985, shall be given at least 30 days prior to the
hearing.
(d) Except as provided under par. (e), the commission shall
approve an application filed under par. (a) 1. for a certificate of
public convenience and necessity only if the commission determines all of the following:
2. The proposed facility satisfies the reasonable needs of the
public for an adequate supply of electric energy. This subdivision
does not apply to a wholesale merchant plant.
3. The design and location or route is in the public interest
considering alternative sources of supply, alternative locations or
routes, individual hardships, engineering, economic, safety, reliability and environmental factors, except that the commission may
not consider alternative sources of supply or engineering or economic factors if the application is for a wholesale merchant plant.
In its consideration of environmental factors, the commission
may not determine that the design and location or route is not in
the public interest because of the impact of air pollution if the
proposed facility will meet the requirements of ch. 285.
3m. For a high-voltage transmission line, as defined in s.
30.40 (3r), that is to be located in the lower Wisconsin state riverway, as defined in s. 30.40 (15) , the high-voltage transmission
line will not impair, to the extent practicable, the scenic beauty or
the natural value of the riverway. The commission may not require that a high-voltage transmission line, as defined in s. 30.40
(3r), be placed underground in order for it to approve an
application.
3r. For a high-voltage transmission line that is proposed to
increase the transmission import capability into this state, existing rights-of-way are used to the extent practicable and the routing and design of the high-voltage transmission line minimizes
environmental impacts in a manner that is consistent with achieving reasonable electric rates.
3t. For a high-voltage transmission line that is designed for
operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more, the highvoltage transmission line provides usage, service or increased regional reliability benefits to the wholesale and retail customers or
members in this state and the benefits of the high-voltage transmission line are reasonable in relation to the cost of the high-voltage transmission line.
4. The proposed facility will not have undue adverse impact
on other environmental values such as, but not limited to, ecological balance, public health and welfare, historic sites, geological
formations, the aesthetics of land and water and recreational use.
In its consideration of the impact on other environmental values,
the commission may not determine that the proposed facility will

have an undue adverse impact on these values because of the impact of air pollution if the proposed facility will meet the requirements of ch. 285.
5. The proposed facility complies with the criteria under s.
196.49 (3) (b) if the application is by a public utility as defined in
s. 196.01.
6. The proposed facility will not unreasonably interfere with
the orderly land use and development plans for the area involved.
7. The proposed facility will not have a material adverse impact on competition in the relevant wholesale electric service
market.
8. For a large electric generating facility, brownfields, as defined in s. 238.13 (1) (a), are used to the extent practicable.
(dg) In making a determination under par. (d) that applies to a
large electric generating facility, if the large electric generating
facility is a wind energy system, as defined in s. 66.0403 (1) (m),
the commission shall consider whether installation or use of the
facility is consistent with the standards specified in the rules promulgated by the commission under s. 196.378 (4g) (b).
(dm) In making a determination required under par. (d), the
commission may not consider a factual conclusion in a strategic
energy assessment unless the conclusion is independently corroborated in the hearing under par. (b).
(e) If an application filed under par. (a) 1. does not meet the
criteria under par. (d), the commission shall reject the application
or approve the application with such modifications as are necessary for an affirmative finding under par. (d).
(g) The commission shall take final action on an application
filed under par. (a) 1. within 180 days after the application is determined or considered to be complete under par. (a) 2. If the
commission fails to take final action within the 180-day period,
the commission is considered to have issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity with respect to the application, unless the chairperson of the commission extends the time period
for no more than an additional 180 days for good cause. If the
commission fails to take final action within the extended period,
the commission is considered to have issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity with respect to the application.
(gm) The commission may not approve an application filed
after October 29, 1999, under this subsection for a certificate of
public convenience and necessity for a high-voltage transmission
line that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345
kilovolts or more unless the approval includes the condition that
the applicant shall pay the fees specified in sub. (3g) (a). If the
commission has approved an application under this subsection
for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a highvoltage transmission line that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more that was filed after
April 1, 1999, and before October 29, 1999, the commission shall
require the applicant to pay the fees specified in sub. (3g) (a). For
any application subject to this paragraph, the commission shall
determine the cost of the high-voltage transmission line, identify
the counties, towns, villages and cities through which the highvoltage transmission line is routed and allocate the amount of investment associated with the high-voltage transmission line to
each such county, town, village and city.
(i) If installation or utilization of a facility for which a certificate of convenience and necessity has been granted is precluded
or inhibited by a local ordinance, the installation and utilization
of the facility may nevertheless proceed.
(j) Any person whose substantial rights may be adversely affected or any county, municipality or town having jurisdiction
over land affected by a certificate of public convenience and necessity for which an application is filed under par. (a) 1. may petition for judicial review, under ch. 227, of any decision of the
commission regarding the certificate.
(k) No person may purchase, or acquire an option to purchase,
any interest in real property knowing that such property is being
purchased to be used for the construction of a high-voltage transmission line unless the person gives written notice to the prospective seller of the size, maximum voltage and structure type of any
transmission line planned to be constructed thereon and the person by whom it will be operated. Contracts made in violation of
this paragraph are subject to rescission by the seller at any time
prior to the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and
necessity for the high-voltage transmission line by the
commission.
(3b) EXPEDITED REVIEW. (a) A person who proposes to construct a high-voltage transmission line may apply for a certificate
under this subsection if the construction is limited to adding conductors to existing transmission poles or towers and if all related
construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
(b) The commission shall promulgate rules specifying the information that must be included in an application under this subsection. If the commission receives an application that complies
with rules, the commission shall, as soon as practicable, notify
the applicant that the commission has received a complete
application.
(c) The commission is considered to have issued a certificate
of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3) for construction specified in an application under par. (a) unless the commission notifies the applicant, no later than 30 business days after the
date on which the commission notifies an applicant under par. (b)
that the application is complete, that the commission has determined that the public interest requires the applicant to obtain a
certificate under s. 196.49.
(3c) COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES. (a) Except as provided in par. (b),
an electric utility that has received a certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3) for constructing a large electric generating facility shall commence construction no later than
one year after the latest of the following:
1. The date on which the commission issues the certificate of
public convenience and necessity.
2. The date on which the electric utility has been issued every federal and state permit, approval, and license that is required
prior to commencement of construction.
3. The date on which every deadline has expired for requesting administrative review or reconsideration of every federal and
state permit, approval, and license that is required prior to commencement of construction.
4. The date on which the electric utility has received the final
decision, after exhaustion of judicial review, in every proceeding
for judicial review described in sub. (3) (j).
(b) Upon showing of good cause, the commission may grant
an extension to the deadline specified in par. (a).
(c) If an electric utility does not commence construction of a
large electric generating facility within the deadline specified in
par. (a) or extended under par. (b), the certificate of public convenience and necessity is void, and the electric utility may not commence construction of the large electric generating facility.
(3e) CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY TO AN ELECTRIC OR NATURAL GAS UTILITY. (ag) In this subsection:
1. “Certificate” means, with respect to an electric utility, a
certificate of public convenience and necessity under sub. (3)
and, with respect to a natural gas public utility, a certificate under
s. 196.49.

2. “Electric utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.485 (1)
(bs).
3. “Line” means, with respect to an electric utility, a highvoltage transmission line and, with respect to a natural gas public
utility, a natural gas transmission or distribution line.
4. “Utility” means an electric utility or natural gas public
utility.
(am) Notwithstanding s. 32.03 (1), if a utility receives a certificate from the commission for the construction of a line over,
on, or under land owned by a county, city, village, town, public
board or commission, the owner of the land shall convey to the
utility, at fair market value as determined under par. (b), the interest in the land necessary for the construction, operation, and
maintenance of the line. This paragraph applies to a line for
which construction commences before, on, or after February 6,
2016, except that this paragraph does not affect the terms of any
conveyance of an interest in land that was completed before February 6, 2016.
(b) If the utility and owner of the land cannot agree on the fair
market value of the interest in land sought by the utility within 90
days after the utility notifies the owner that the certificate has
been issued, the issue of the fair market value of the interest shall
be determined by an arbitrator appointed by the circuit court of
the county in which the land is located, except that the utility and
owner of the land may agree to extend the 90-day period by an
additional 90 days if necessary to reach an agreement concerning
fair market value in lieu of arbitration. The interest in land shall
be conveyed to the utility upon commencement of the arbitration
proceeding. Any arbitration under this paragraph shall be conducted on an expedited basis to the extent that an expedited proceeding is available. The arbitrator and circuit court appointing
the arbitrator shall have the powers and duties specified in ch.
788. The decision of an arbitrator concerning fair market value
shall be binding on the parties, except as otherwise provided under ch. 788.
(3g) FEES FOR CERTAIN HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION
LINES. (a) A person who receives a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a high-voltage transmission line that is
designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or
more under sub. (3) shall pay the department of administration an
annual impact fee as specified in the rules promulgated by the department of administration under s. 16.969 (2) (a) and shall pay
the department of administration a one-time environmental impact fee as specified in the rules promulgated by the department
of administration under s. 16.969 (2) (b).
(b) A person that pays a fee under par. (a) may not use the payment to offset any other mitigation measure that is required in an
order by the commission under sub. (3) regarding the certificate
of public convenience and necessity specified in par. (a).
(3m) WHOLESALE MERCHANT PLANTS. (a) Commission approval required. Except as provided in par. (e), an affiliated interest of a public utility may not own, control or operate a wholesale
merchant plant without the approval of the commission. The
commission shall grant its approval only if each of the following
is satisfied:
1. The public utility has transferred control over its transmission facilities, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (h), to an independent
system operator, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (d), that is approved
by the federal energy regulatory commission or the public utility
has divested its interest in the transmission facilities to an independent transmission owner, as defined in s. 196.485 (1) (dm).
2. The commission finds that the ownership, control or operation will not have a substantial anticompetitive effect on electricity markets for any classes of customers.
(b) Duty to promulgate rules. 1. The commission shall promulgate rules that establish requirements and procedures for an
affiliated interest to apply for an approval under par. (a). The
rules shall do each of the following:
a. Describe the showing that an applicant is required to make
for the commission to grant an approval under par. (a).
am. Establish screening tests and safe harbors for proposed
wholesale merchant plant projects, including projects in which an
affiliated interest is a passive investor and over which the affiliated interest is not able to exercise control or influence and
projects in which an affiliated interest’s ownership interest is less
than 5 percent.
b. Describe the analytical process that the commission shall
use in determining whether to make a finding under par. (a) 2.
and describe the factors specified in subd. 3.
c. Allow an interested person to request a hearing on an application under s. 227.42.
2. The analytical process specified in subd. 1. b. shall, to the
extent practicable, be consistent with the analytical process described in the merger enforcement policy, as defined in s. 196.485
(1) (dr).
3. The commission shall use the following factors in determining whether to make a finding under par. (a) 2.:
a. The degree of market concentration resulting from the affiliated interest’s proposed ownership, operation or control.
b. The extent of control that the affiliated interest proposes to
exercise over the wholesale merchant plant.
d. Any other factor that the commission determines is necessary to determine whether to make a finding under par. (a) 2.
(c) Sales by affiliated interests. 1. In this paragraph, “electric
sale” means a sale of electricity that is generated at a wholesale
merchant plant that is owned, operated, or controlled by an affiliated interest.
2. The commission shall review any electric sale by an affiliated interest to a public utility with which the affiliated interest
is affiliated. If the commission finds that an electric sale is not in
the public interest, the commission shall do any of the following:
a. Disallow the public utility’s costs related to the sale in a
rate-setting proceeding.
b. Order the public utility to provide a refund, in an amount
determined by the commission, to its customers.
c. Order the public utility or affiliated interest to take any action that the commission determines is in the public interest, except that the commission may not order the public utility or affiliated interest to void the sale.
(d) Retail sales outside this state. The commission may not
promulgate rules or issue orders that prohibit owners or operators
of wholesale merchant plants from providing electric service to
retail customers in another state.
(e) Exemption. An approval under par. (a) is not required for
an affiliated interest to own, operate or control a wholesale merchant plant in Grant County if the affiliated interest owned, operated or controlled the wholesale merchant plant before January 1, 1998.
(4) EXEMPTIONS. (b) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person that constructs electric generating equipment and associated
facilities if the person satisfies each of the following:
1. The person is not a public utility or a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of generating, distributing or furnishing electric energy at retail or wholesale to its
members only.
2. The person shows to the satisfaction of the commission
that the person reasonably anticipates, at the time that construction of the equipment or facilities commences, that on each day

that the equipment and facilities are in operation the person will
consume no less than 70 percent of the aggregate kilowatt hours
output from the equipment and facilities in manufacturing processes at the site where the equipment and facilities are located or
in ferrous mineral mining and processing activities governed by
subch. III of ch. 295 at the site where the equipment and facilities
are located.
(c) 1e. In this paragraph, “centerline” means a line drawn
through the centerline of an electric transmission line along its
length.
1m. Except as provided in subd. 1s., a certificate under sub.
(3) is not required for a person to construct a high-voltage transmission line designed for operation at a nominal voltage of less
than 345 kilovolts if not more than one-half mile of the centerline
of the new high-voltage transmission line is located more than 60
feet on either side of the centerline of an existing electric transmission line operating at a nominal voltage of 69 kilovolts or
more and all of the following apply:
a. The project will not have undue adverse environmental
impacts.
b. The new high-voltage transmission line requires the acquisition in total of one-half mile or less of rights-of-way from
landowners from which rights-of-way would not be required to be
acquired for the existing electric transmission line.
1s. A certificate under sub. (3) is not required for a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of producing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to its members to
construct a high-voltage transmission line designed for operation
at a nominal voltage of less than 345 kilovolts if all related construction activity takes place entirely within the area of an existing electric transmission line right-of-way.
2. The commission is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement under s. 1.11 (2) (c) for construction that is
specified in subd. 1m. or 1s., but shall prepare an environmental
assessment regarding the construction if an environmental assessment is required under the commission’s rules.
3. If construction or utilization of a high-voltage transmission line described in subd. 1m. or 1s. is precluded or inhibited by
a local ordinance, the construction and utilization of the line may
nevertheless proceed.
(5) SERVICE STANDARDS FOR ELECTRIC GENERATION,
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES. The commission
shall promulgate rules that establish all of the following:
(a) Standards for inspecting, maintaining and repairing each
of the following:
1. Electric generation facilities in this state that are owned by
public utilities or provide service to public utilities under contracts with terms of 5 years or more.
2. Electric transmission or distribution facilities in this state
that are owned by public utilities.
(b) Standards that the commission determines are necessary
for the safe and reliable operation of each of the following:
1. Electric generation facilities in this state that are owned by
public utilities or provide service to public utilities under contracts with terms of 5 years or more.
2. Electric transmission or distribution facilities in this state
that are owned by public utilities.
(6) WAIVER. The commission may waive compliance with
any requirement of this section to the extent necessary to restore
service which has been substantially interrupted by a natural
catastrophe, accident, sabotage or act of God.

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