The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a settlement resolving all issues in Wisconsin Power and Light Company’s (Alliant Energy) application to adjust electric and natural gas rates for test years 2026–27 (docket 6680-UR-125).

Commissioner Nieto, who led the discussion, said the settlement — filed Sept. 3 and signed by the applicant and all intervening parties — satisfied the procedural requirements of Wis. Stat. §196.026 and met the statute’s substantive tests in §196.026(7)(b)–(c) for public-interest representation, substantial evidence in the record and a fair, reasonable resolution. “The written settlement agreement and supporting documents were filed with the commission and all parties agreed on a resolution to all the issues,” she said. Chair Preston Strand and Commissioner Richard Hawkins indicated agreement with that analysis.

Why it matters: The settlement was notable because every participating party signed on and the agreement addresses every issue in the docket, eliminating the need for a contested hearing on most items. Intervenors that joined the settlement include Blacks for Political and Social Action of Dane County (BPSA); Clean Wisconsin; the Citizens Utility Board (CUB); IBEW Local 965; Renew Wisconsin; Walmart; and the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group (WIG). Commissioner Nieto emphasized that together those parties represent residential, small-business and large-industrial customers, as well as environmental and labor interests.

What the commission decided: Commissioners agreed to approve the settlement in full (alternative 1), subject to the staff-recommended standard order conditions listed in the staff memorandum (conditions a–o on pages 57–58). They declined to impose a set of additional, nonstandard conditions proposed by staff, saying the new conditions were unnecessary given the unanimous settlement and that imposing unvetted conditions risked upsetting the agreement.

Record and process: Commissioners cited a voluminous evidentiary record including initial filings, staff audits and two public hearings held Sept. 9 (in-person and virtual). Nieto noted the settlement followed months of litigation-style work and subsequent negotiations, and she credited commission investigations that provided a forum for parties to engage and reach consensus.

Next steps: The commission directed staff to draft a final decision consistent with the commission’s discussion incorporating the standard conditions. The motion to approve the settlement was made by Commissioner Nieto, seconded by Commissioner Hawkins, and passed unanimously (Aye). The commission stressed the decision should not be treated as precedent for future dockets; future rate cases will be decided on their own records.

Sources: Public discussion and motions at the Nov. 6, 2025 Public Service Commission meeting (docket 6680-UR-125).