Commission moves into closed session, directs staff to consider federal action after Dec. 23 DOE orders
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Summary
At its Jan. 20, 2026 meeting the commission entered closed session under Wisconsin statute 19.85(1)(g) and, upon reconvening, reported it had directed staff and a delegated commissioner to explore possible action at FERC and the U.S. Department of Energy in response to DOE orders issued Dec. 23, 2025.
Unidentified Speaker 1 (role/title not specified) called the Public Service Commission’s open meeting to order on Jan. 20, 2026, and announced the body’s intent to move into closed session under Wisconsin statute section 19.85 sub 1 sub g to consult with legal counsel.
Unidentified Speaker 2 moved, “I move we go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin statute section 19.85 sub 1 sub g to discuss the matter identified in agenda item number number 1.” Unidentified Speaker 1 seconded the motion. After members responded “Aye,” the commission entered closed session.
After reconvening in open session, Unidentified Speaker 1 said, “While in closed session, we provide a direction to staff and the delegated commissioner as it pertains to possible action at FERC and DOE in response to DOE to go to see orders issued on 12/23/2025.” The speaker characterized that direction as the commission’s concluding official business for the meeting.
The transcript does not describe the specific substance of the closed-session discussion or the precise legal or procedural steps the commission directed staff to take. The only material recorded in the public portion is that staff and a delegated commissioner were instructed to explore possible action at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in response to DOE orders dated Dec. 23, 2025.
The commission scheduled its next open meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Unidentified Speaker 2 moved to adjourn and Unidentified Speaker 1 seconded; members said “Aye,” and the meeting adjourned.
The public record provided in the transcript is limited to the motions, the statutory authority invoked for the closed session (Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(g) and § 19.85(2)), and the public statement that staff were directed to consider potential federal filings or responses to the DOE orders. No further details about the commission’s legal analysis, proposed filings, or timetable were disclosed in the public remarks recorded in the transcript.
