(1b) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Commission” means the public service commission. (b) “Permit” means an individual permit, a general permit, an approval, or a contract required under this subchapter or subch. II, a permit or an approval required under ch. 31, a storm water discharge permit required under s. 283.33 (1) (a) or (am), or a wetland general permit or wetland individual permit required under s. 281.36 or under rules promulgated under subch. II of ch. 281 to implement 33 USC 1341 (a). (c) “Utility facility” means a project, as defined in s. 196.49 (3) (a), or a facility, as defined in s. 196.491 (1) (e). (1e) APPLICABILITY. (a) Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), this section applies to a proposal to construct a utility facility if the utility facility is required to obtain, or give notification of the wish to proceed under, one or more permits. (b) This section does not apply to a proposal to construct a utility facility if the only permit that the utility facility is required to obtain from the department is a storm water discharge permit under s. 283.33 (1) (a) or (am). (c) This section does not apply to a proposal to construct a utility facility for ferrous mineral mining and processing activities governed by subch. III of ch. 295, unless the person proposing to construct the utility facility elects to proceed in the manner provided under this section. (1m) PREAPPLICATION PROCESS. Before filing an application under this section, a person proposing to construct a utility facility shall notify the department of the intention to file an application. After receiving such notice, the department shall confer with the person, in cooperation with the commission, to make a preliminary assessment of the project’s scope, to make an analysis of alternatives, to identify potential interested persons, and to ensure that the person making the proposal is aware of all of the following: (a) The permits that the person may be required to obtain and the permits under which the person must give notification of the wish to proceed. (b) The information that the person will be required to provide. (c) The timing of information submissions that the person will be required to provide in order to enable the department to participate in commission review procedures and to process the application in a timely manner. (1s) APPLICATION FOR PERMITS. (a) Any person proposing to construct a utility facility to which this section applies shall, in lieu of separate application for permits, submit one application for permits together with any additional information required by the department. The application shall be filed with the department at the same time that an application for a certificate is filed with the commission under s. 196.49 or in a manner consistent with s. 196.491 (3) and shall include the detailed information that the department requires to determine whether an application is complete and to carry out its obligations under sub. (4). The department may require supplemental information to be furnished thereafter. (b) A person who applies to the commission for a certificate under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) is eligible to apply under par. (a) for any permit that the utility facility may require and to receive such permit. (2) HEARING. Once the applicant meets the requirements of sub. (1s) (a), the department may schedule the matter for a public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the applicant and shall be published as a class 1 notice under ch. 985 and as a notice on the department’s Internet website. The department may give such further notice as it deems proper, and shall give notice to interested persons requesting same. The department’s notice to interested persons may be given through an electronic notification system established by the department. Notice of a hearing under this subsection published as a class 1 notice, as a notice on the department’s Internet website, and through the electronic notification system established by the department shall include the time, date, and location of the hearing, the name and address of the applicant, a summary of the subject matter of the application, and information indicating where a copy of the application may be viewed on the department’s Internet website. The summary shall contain a brief, precise, easily understandable, plain language description of the subject matter of the application. One copy of the application shall be available for public inspection at the office of the department, at least one copy in the regional office of the department, and at least one copy at the main public library, of the area affected. Notwithstanding s. 227.42, the hearing shall be an informational hearing and may not be treated as a contested case hearing nor converted to a contested case hearing. (2g) PARTICIPATION IN COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS. (a) The department shall review every proposed utility facility subject to this section, including each location, site, or route proposed for the utility facility, to assess whether each proposed location, site, or route can meet the criteria for proceeding under the authority of or obtaining the required permits, and shall provide that information to the commission. (b) The department shall participate in commission investigations or proceedings under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) with regard to any proposed utility facility that is subject to this section. In order to ensure that the commission’s decision is consistent with the department’s responsibilities, the department shall provide the commission with information that is relevant to only the following: 1. Environmental issues that concern the proposed utility facility. 2. Public rights in navigable waters that may be affected by the proposed utility facility. 3. Location, site, or route issues concerning the proposed utility facility, including alternative locations, sites, or routes. (2s) CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES. (a) The department shall treat the commission’s decision under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) as concluding that there is no practicable alternative for the utility facility if all of the following apply: 1. The department has participated in the commission’s investigations or proceedings under sub. (2g). 2. The commission’s decision under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) is consistent with the department’s assessment and information under sub. (2g) considering those factors required to be considered by the commission under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3). (b) If par. (a) applies, the department may not require the applicant for the proposed utility facility to undertake further analysis of any utility facility alternatives, including an analysis of alternative methods of meeting the need for the project or alternative locations, sites, or routes in order to satisfy the criteria under sub. (3). The department may identify adjustments that may be required to address permitting issues within the location, site, or route approved by the commission under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3). (3) PERMIT ISSUANCE. The department shall issue, or authorize proceeding under, the necessary permits if it finds that the applicant has shown that the proposal: (a) Complies with environmental statutes administered by the department and rules promulgated thereunder, and federal environmental standards which the department has authority to enforce. (b) Does not unduly affect: 1. Public rights and interests in navigable waterways; 2. The effective flood flow capacity of a stream; 3. The rights of other riparian owners; or 4. Water quality. (3m) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS. The department is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement under s. 1.11 (2) (c) for the construction of a project that is specified in s. 196.491 (4) (c) 1m. or 1s. and for which one or more permits are required, but shall prepare an environmental assessment regarding the construction if the department’s rules require an environmental assessment. (4) PERMIT CONDITIONS. (a) The permit may be issued, or the authority to proceed under a permit may be granted, upon stated conditions deemed necessary to assure compliance with the criteria designated under sub. (3). (b) Except as provided in par. (c), the department shall grant or deny the application for a permit for the utility facility within 30 days of the date on which the commission issues its decision under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3). (c) Notwithstanding the deadline in par. (b), upon agreement between the department and a person who submits an application under s. 196.49 or 196.491 (3) for a permit to construct a highvoltage transmission line, the department shall grant or deny the application within 45 days after the department receives all of the information necessary for it to carry out its obligations under this subsection, as determined by the department. (5) EXCLUSIVE PROCEDURES. The procedures provided under this section are exclusive and apply in lieu of any other procedures that would otherwise apply to permits applied for under this section.
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