Select an item below to jump to more detail on the forms of Commission Actions.
What actions does the Commission take?
Commission action comes in four basic forms:
- Informal Investigation
- Formal Investigation
- Proceeding
- Rule-making
What is a docket?
The Commission organizes all its actions into dockets. Each docket is identified by a unique series of numbers and letters. This makes it easier to communicate about each docket. This also helps the Commission to track and retain the records generated by each docket.
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What are informal investigations?
Informal investigations include customer complaints and routine inquiries into utility operations.
These include items like:
- Customer billing disputes
- Utility annual report filings
How does the Commission process informal investigations?
The Commission processes informal investigations through correspondence—letters or emails.
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What are formal investigations?
Formal investigations involve matters that require an order from the Commission to resolve, but that the Commission may decide without first holding a hearing.
What are some types of formal investigations?
Formal investigations include the review of utility applications to:
- construct small facilities,
- transfer ownership of facilities,
- issue new securities,
- enter or modify affiliated interest agreements, and
- propose rate decreases.
Formal investigations also include Commission review of regulatory policies that involve a particular utility industry (like all water utilities) or subject matter (like electric vehicle policy and regulation).
How does the Commission process formal investigations?
The Commission’s formal investigation process begins with review of the request to open the investigation. If the Commission decides to accept the request, it issues a Notice of Investigation. The Commission seeks input on the matter from all utilities involved, any interested organizations, and members of the public. Based on the information received, and its own expertise, Commission staff analyzes the matter and submits a memorandum for Commission review. After the Commission reviews the matter, it completes the process by issuing a Final Decision.
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What are proceedings?
Proceedings involve matters that require an order from the Commission to resolve, and that the Commission may not decide without first holding a contested-case hearing. Most major cases before the Commission, significant cases that generate a lot of public attention, are proceedings.
What are some types of proceedings?
Proceedings include the review of utility applications to:
- construct large facilities, like electric generation projects and transmission lines
- increase service rates
How does the Commission conduct its proceedings?
The Commission’s proceeding process begins with review of the request to open the proceeding. If the Commission decides to accept the request, it issues a Notice of Proceeding. Because a proceeding must include a contested-case hearing, the Commission uses the contested- case hearing process detailed in Wis. Stat. § 227 subch. III, and Wis, Admin. Code PSC 2 subch. II. The required hearing appears like a court trial.
The hearing may involve:
- opposing parties,
- motion practice,
- discovery,
- submission of written testimony, and exhibits, and
- cross-examination of witnesses
An administrative law judge oversees the process. Parties must adhere to the formatting standards and schedule ordered that particular case. See an
example of such an order here. Members of the public may also provide input in a proceeding by commenting at a hearing, or by filing a written comment through either the Commission’s website, or the mail. The Commission decides the matter after it reviews the evidence received at the hearing, and considers the parties’ positons and the advice of Commission staff. The Commission completes the proceeding by issuing a Final Decision.
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What is rule-making?
Rule-making involves creating, or changing the administrate rules contained in Wis. Admin. Code Ch. PSC that cover utility regulation.
How does the Commission conduct rule-making?
The Commission conducts rule-making through the process detailed in Wis. Stat. § 227 subch. II. All rule-making cases involve an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal and most cases include a public hearing.
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