Public Service Commission approves Wisconsin Power and Light’s renewable certificate program with reporting, tariff edits

The Public Service Commission on April 30 approved Wisconsin Power and Light Company’s application to close its Second Nature rider and replace it with a new Renewable Energy Impact Program, saying the program preserves customer choice while imposing reporting and tariff clarifications to support transparency.

Commissioner Christian Nieto, who led the discussion, described the application as "a fairly straightforward request" and said the proposed REIP would allow customers to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) at levels "from 1 to 100% of their monthly electricity usage," with options for customers to buy and retire additional RECs subject to availability. Nieto said she favored approving the program with modifications (alternative 2) and supported staff-recommended reporting requirements, annual Green-e price filings, and delegation to the commission’s DARA administrator to approve submitted tariff language once filed.

"This is an optional customer-driven program," Nieto said, adding that the program’s design preserves customer choice and strengthens program integrity by requiring appropriate REC retirement and clarified tariff language. She proposed two specific tariff edits: changing a participation-limit provision from "may" to "shall" and striking two terms (transcript provision e and provision f) that would otherwise reserve a discretionary right to limit eligibility or single-purchase options.

Chairperson Strand said she shared Nieto’s view and supported the selected sub-alternatives, noting the commission will continue to review tariff redlines and REC pricing in future proceedings. Commissioner Hawkins also supported approving the program with the proposed tariff edits and reporting conditions but warned the commission to be clear with customers about what they are buying.

"This is just selling of RECs that would otherwise collect dust and already be used," Commissioner Hawkins said, arguing that the program may not lead to additional renewable generation in practice. He urged strong educational materials and staff review under reporting condition 6 so customers are not misled about whether their purchase supports new renewable energy.

Nieto responded that the change largely shifts where program revenues offset costs (to fuel-cost adjustments) rather than materially changing the utility’s overall renewable build; she and Hawkins agreed clear customer-facing materials and reporting will be critical for transparency.

The commission approved the application consistent with the discussion and the modifications Nieto outlined; the approval was recorded by unanimous voice vote. The decision includes the applicant’s commitment to file updated Green-e prices annually (Nieto said the applicant indicated an intent to file those updates by November 1) and to comply with staff’s reporting requirements listed in the staff memo (reporting items 1–6 are referenced in the memo). The commission also endorsed delegation to the DARA administrator (as referenced in the staff memo; the transcript does not expand the DARA acronym) to approve tariff language once submitted.

Next procedural steps in the docket include the utility filing the finalized tariff redlines and the applicant and staff implementing the agreed reporting and educational materials process before program launch. The commission said it will review pricing and related tariff changes in future rate proceedings.

Votes and formal motions in this matter appear on the record in the docket; the transcript records a motion to approve and a unanimous voice vote in favor. The commission’s next open meeting was scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.