MON AM News: Proponents emphasize potential cost savings in renewed push for transmission line bill; WEDC spotlighting award-winning Wisconsin businesses

December 23, 2024

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— Wisconsin utilities are making a renewed push on legislation to give them first shot at building new infrastructure, this time armed with a report suggesting ratepayers would save $1 billion over the next 40 years via the plan.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told WisPolitics last week he wants the proposal to clear the Legislature by this spring after it bogged down in his house this session amid opposition from conservatives. LeMahieu also said he’s willing to use Dem votes to get the bill through the Senate with the 18-15 majority Republicans will have come January after having 22 members this session. He argued failing to pass the bill could cost Wisconsin ratepayers in the long run.

“It would be irresponsible,” the Oostburg Republican said.

But GOP state Sen. Steve Nass, who opposed the bill last session, is unswayed by an industry-funded study and continues to believe limiting competition for coming transmission projects would hurt Wisconsin ratepayers in the long run.

Dubbed “right of first refusal” by supporters, the proposal would give utilities already doing business in Wisconsin the right of first refusal to construct, own and maintain a new transmission line that connects to one of their existing ones.

It’s also already been through an intense lobbying effort. WisPolitics previously reported it was the most lobbied bill over the first 18 months of the 2023-24 session, with groups pouring 5,071 hours into influencing lawmakers.

The debate has pitted those who argue it would bring continued stability to the state’s transmission system against those who believe it would stifle competition and lead to higher costs for ratepayers. It cleared the Assembly on a voice vote, but died in the Senate amid opposition from some of the chamber’s more conservative Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, told WisPolitics she wanted to see the bill return, believing it was one area where Dems and Republicans could work together in a bipartisan manner to get it through the chamber.

LeMahieu said that could be an option.

“It depends on wherever the caucus is, but there might need to be Dem votes to get it passed,” he said.

Both LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, last week in interviews with WisPolitics cited a new study commissioned by the American Transmission Co. to make the case for passing the legislation.

Vos said he wants the Senate to go first on the bill next session since the Assembly has already signed off on it once.

“I don’t know who can turn down a billion dollars in savings,” Vos said. “That’s my whole goal, right? To return more money to people’s pockets, help them deal with inflation.”

Wisconsin is part of the 14-state Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the regional electric grid that covers the upper Midwest.

MISO this month approved a $21.8 billion investment for 24 projects across the region with the expectation they will go into service from 2032-34. The heart of that is a 3,631-mile, 765 kV line. The group is expected to release a schedule for the projects next month, with the first requests for proposal to go out in February.

LeMahieu said that’s part of the reason for his sense of urgency in passing the bill. He wants ROFR in place to ensure more of the project costs for work in Wisconsin are spread throughout the region.

See the full story at WisPolitics.

— WEDC is touting the five winners of this year’s 2024 MARKETPLACE Governor’s Awards, spotlighting Wisconsin companies and leaders for their workplace culture, diversity and more.

This year’s winners, chosen from among 16 finalists, were presented with the awards at a conference in Milwaukee earlier this month.

“Each of these awards represents the very best the state has to offer,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. “In addition to being great business leaders, they are at the forefront of making Wisconsin a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Madison-based WholeTrees Structures was named the Outstanding Business of the Year, recognizing its use of solid structural timber in structural systems for construction. The business makes beams, columns and trusses along with custom engineered assemblies and more. Since launching in 2007, the company has added a production facility in Westby.

“We’re bridging an urban-rural divide that a lot of industries can’t bridge,” CEO Amelia Baxter said in a statement. “And we’ve expanded nationally, shipping Wisconsin trees from sustainably managed forests all over the country to high-profile projects.”

Willie Smith of the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation was named Diverse Business Champion of the Year. Smith has been with the NWSDC since 2013, leading efforts to partner with businesses and community groups on a number of projects.

WEDC highlights the group’s work to finance the state’s first African American-owned Culver’s franchise and the first African American-owned gas station in Wisconsin. Over the last four years, the corporation has lent $20 million for business creation and expansion.

“We’re there to provide support to ensure that they can sustain their businesses, grow, and learn to manage their operations by the numbers,” Smith said.

HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary Cafe in Milwaukee, which offers herbs, medicinal herbal teas, nonalcoholic cocktails and more was given the Best Workplace award. Angela Mallett, who founded the company in 2018, says the company cultivates “a space that’s warm and welcoming and supportive of the women that work here.”

Meanwhile, Marina Ilari of Milwaukee-based Terra Translations was named CEO of the Year. The company offers language services to help companies reach global audiences, working with more than 2,000 language professionals around the world. Ilari underlines the importance of connecting business efforts to a central mission, as well as having support and buy-in from “teammates and clients.”

And Laura Flores, director of operations and interiors of architectural firm JGMA, was given the Thought Leadership Excellence Award. The company has offices in Milwaukee and Chicago. Flores, who’s also an architect, has worked on multiple projects in underserved areas and is a leader in Chicago’s Latino community, according to WEDC.

Flores says she’s worked to create mentorship opportunities for young people “that usually don’t have them” or can’t see themselves becoming an architect.

“That was the case for me at least when navigating college and career opportunities,” she said. “I also see it as a responsibility to give back when you are fortunate to have a fulfilling life and career.”

See the release.

— The WHEDA Foundation is providing $2 million in grants to 52 recipients for efforts to expand housing for low-income residents and other vulnerable people.

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority recently announced the grant funding, supporting projects around emergency shelters, transitional residences and more.

Through the foundation’s Housing Grant Program, recipients in 29 counties are getting awards up to $50,000 to install security measures, boost energy efficiency and improve accessibility for existing facilities, while others are replacing roofs and upgrading heating and cooling systems.

“These grants provide critical resources to those who need them and will help foster safer spaces for Wisconsinites who are unhoused, unsafe, and working to overcome challenges to help them get back on their feet,” Evers said in a statement.

See the release and the list of recipients.

Top headlines from the Health Care Report…

— The CDC has confirmed the state’s first human case of bird flu that was reported last week by state health officials.

For more of the most relevant health care news, reports on groundbreaking research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics and WisBusiness.com.

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