Number
171545
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution directing the City Attorney to intervene on behalf of the City of Milwaukee before the Public Service Commission in relation to American Transmission Company’s application to construct high-voltage electric transmission facilities and a new substation for the Foxconn development.
Analysis
This resolution states the position of the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee in American Transmission Company’s upcoming application to the Public Service Commission for approval of proposed construction of high-voltage electric transmission facilities to serve the Foxconn development and directs the City Attorney to intervene on behalf of the City of Milwaukee before the Public Service Commission in that proceeding.
Body
Whereas, American Transmission Company LLC (ATC) has submitted preliminary information to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (Commission) regarding the proposed construction of high-voltage electric transmission lines and a new substation related to the proposed Mount Pleasant Tech Interconnection Project (known as the Foxconn development); and
Whereas, The proposed project cost for the new lines, modifications, and substation is estimated at $140 million; and
Whereas, ATC has stated publicly that ATC’s project costs will be passed on to utility ratepayers within ATC’s service area; and
Whereas, ATC does not directly serve the general public and instead sells transmission service to electricity producers and electric distribution companies, such as We Energies; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee is a major utility rate-payer customer of We Energies, as are the residents of Milwaukee collectively, and the City and its residents are likely to bear a significant portion of the costs passed on by ATC associated with constructing high-voltage electric lines and a new substation related to the Foxconn development; and
Whereas, The proposed project requires a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Commission before construction can begin; and
Whereas, According to ATC’s public statements, ATC intends to file its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in February 2018; and
Whereas, The Commission will hold technical and public hearings on ATC’s application and, based on the record of these hearings and the applicable state law, the Commission will decide whether to approve, modify, or deny ATC’s application; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that to the extent that the proposed construction of high-voltage electric transmission lines and a new substation related to the Mount Pleasant Tech Interconnection Project (Foxconn development) by American Transmission Company (ATC) are intended to primarily serve Foxconn rather than the reasonable needs of the public, ATC’s project costs should not be passed on to end-user utility ratepayers such as the City of Milwaukee and the City’s residents; and, be it
Further Resolved, That to the extent that ATC’s project costs are proposed to be passed on to end-user utility ratepayers, ATC’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Public Service Commission should be denied or modified to prevent end-user utility ratepayers from absorbing ATC’s project costs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Attorney is directed to intervene on behalf of the City of Milwaukee before the Public Service Commission in relation to ATC’s application to construct high-voltage electric transmission facilities and a new substation for the Foxconn development to advocate for the City’s interests consistent with this resolution.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB170695-2
Dana J. Zelazny
January 22, 2018