Intervenor Compensation Program Helps Organizations
Participate in Cases before the Commission
MADISON – Today, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) awarded a total of $213,000 to three separate organizations representing Wisconsin citizens. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) received $102,000, Clean Wisconsin $101,000 and RENEW Wisconsin $10,000 to participate in the review of a proposal by Alliant Energy to construct a new coal-fired power plant, known as the Nelson-Dewey Generation Station, in Cassville, Wisconsin.
“This is a very important case before us, and it will require a highly sophisticated level of analysis when considering its economic and environmental impacts,” said Chairperson Dan Ebert. “The intervenor compensation program allows the Commission to hear from all voices, which in turn assists the commissioners in making decisions that are in the best interest of Wisconsin as a whole.”
In 1983, the Wisconsin State Legislature created the intervenor compensation program to provide financial assistance for organizations and individuals who choose to become an intervenor in a PSC proceeding. Each year, the Commission awards a number of different organizations and individuals with finances to help them participate in cases. The Commission is allotted $750,000 annually for intervenor groups.
In early 2007, Alliant Energy filed an application with the PSC for permission to build a new 300 megawatt coal-fired electric generation facility. The utility has identified two possible
locations – their Nelson Dewey Generating Station property in Cassville and the Columbia Energy Center in Portage. The PSC has the authority to approve, deny or modify any proposed electric construction project. To ensure a full and complete record, the PSC follows a process outlined by state law for every case. Part of this process is to perform a thorough environmental review and to gather input from the public and interested parties.
Documents associated with the intervenor compensation requests and the cases before the Commission are located on the PSC’s Electronic Regulatory Filing System at http://psc.wi.gov. Type the case numbers in the boxes provided on the PSC homepage, or click on the Electronic Regulatory Filing System button.
