PSC advances investigation of third‑party aggregators; asks utilities to include cost, data‑sharing and double‑counting plans

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin advanced an investigation Aug. 13 into third‑party aggregators (referred to in the record as ARCs) participating on behalf of retail customers in Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) wholesale markets, directing staff and stakeholders to develop further information and filings rather than imposing an immediate, statewide tariff directive.

Chair Strand opened the discussion by tracing the issue’s history and said the commission’s 2009 prohibition on ARCs was later overturned in court. “Because of that court order, our participation is not currently prohibited in Wisconsin,” Chair Strand said, summarizing the legal and administrative backdrop to Docket 5‑EI‑163.

The commission’s request for further work asks future ARC‑related filings from the large, rate‑regulated utilities to include three core components: an analysis of potential administrative costs and benefits of ARC participation within each utility’s service territory; proposed communication practices between aggregators and utilities, including methods to prevent double counting of capacity; and proposed practices for proper sharing of customer data. Commissioners said those three components should address both ARCs that participate through…