Public Service Commission conditionally approves multiple waiver requests, moves into closed session

Madison — The Public Service Commission at its March 20, 2025 open meeting approved minutes and routine notices, conditionally approved waiver requests in three dockets and then moved into a closed session under state law to discuss potential litigation.

The commission approved the minutes of the open meeting of March 13, 2025 and approved notices of investigation for agenda items 2 through 4 and notices of proceeding for agenda items 5 through 8. Commission staff also summarized suggested minutes for agenda items addressing requests for waivers of Wisconsin Administrative Code provisions.

Commission Secretary staff reported the suggested minute for agenda item 9: deeming that the requirements of WIS Admin Code PSC 135.03 sub 2 have been met for a waiver for four instances in the applicant’s request (those four instances where high pressure is required), approving the applicant’s request for a waiver of WIS Admin Code PSC 135.621 sub 2 for those four high-pressure main branches subject to all conditions recommended by commission staff, and denying the request for the remaining instances. The secretary reported a suggested minute for agenda item 10 deeming that the requirements of WIS Admin Code PSC135.013 sub 2 have been met for a waiver for nine applicable instances requested and approving WIS Admin Code PSC 135.621 sub 2 for those applicable instances subject to all conditions recommended by commission staff. For agenda item 11 the secretary reported the suggested minute deeming that the requirements of WIS Admin Code PSC 135.03 sub 0 1 3 sub 2 have been met for a waiver for eight applicable instances requested and approving the applicant’s request for waiver of WIS Admin Code PSC 135.621 sub 2 for those eight instances subject to all conditions recommended by commission staff.

The commission then moved to conditionally approve the waiver requests in multiple dockets. The meeting record shows conditional approvals were made in docket "32 70 PL 20 24" (as described by the commission secretary), docket "6,650 PL 20 24," and docket "6690 PL 20 24." Each motion was made and seconded on the record and the chair called for a voice vote; the transcript records “All in favor. Aye.” The transcript does not list individual roll-call votes or numerical tallies for those approvals.

After the docket actions, the commission voted to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin statute section 19.85 sub 2 and a subsequent motion citing Wisconsin statute section 19.851 g to discuss a potential litigation matter identified as agenda item 12. The commission reconvened the open meeting later, reported that it had provided direction to the Delegated Commissioner regarding the issue discussed in closed session, and adjourned. The transcript records the chair saying, “Okay we are back from our closed session where we provided direction to the Delegated Commissioner regarding this issue and that does conclude our official business for today.”

Votes at a glance

- Approved minutes of the March 13, 2025 open meeting — motion made and seconded; “All in favor. Aye.” (vote tally not specified) - Approved notices of investigation associated with agenda items 2–4 — motion made and seconded; “All in favor. Aye.” (vote tally not specified) - Approved notices of proceeding associated with agenda items 5–8 — motion made and seconded; “All in favor. Aye.” (vote tally not specified) - Conditionally approved waiver requests in docket "32 70 PL 20 24" as described by the Commission Secretary — motion made and seconded; “All in favor. Aye.” (vote tally not specified) - Conditionally approved waiver requests in docket "6,650 PL 20 24" as described by the Commission Secretary — motion made and seconded; “All in favor. Aye.” (vote tally not specified) - Conditionally approved waiver requests in docket "6690 PL 20 24" as described by the Commission Secretary — motion made and seconded; “All in favor. Aye.” (vote tally not specified) - Moved into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin statute section 19.85 sub 2 and a subsequent motion citing Wisconsin statute section 19.851 g to discuss potential litigation identified in agenda item 12 — motion made, seconded and approved; reconvened and provided direction to the Delegated Commissioner (substantive details of closed session discussion not disclosed in the public transcript)

The meeting adjourned with the next open meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., per the chair’s announcement.

(Direct quotes in this report are taken from the meeting transcript.)