Suggestions from Chris Klopp:
Public input ideas for Koshkonong 42% increase
It would be great if you could suggest that Folks may Want to:
· Submit a comment to the PSC. If you have a PSC Login go
to https://apps.psc.wi.gov/ERF/ERFsearch/content/searchResult.aspx?UTIL=5&
CASE=BS&SEQ=258&START=none&END=none&TYPE=none&SERVICE=non
e&KEY=none&NON=N If not, send a snail mail letter to : Mr. Cru Stubley,
Secretary to the Commission, Re. Koshkonong Solar Project – Docket 5-BS-
258 Cost Increases, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, 4822 Madison
Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705, Or call and make a verbal comment at 608-
266-1265
· Send a Letter to the Editor to local papers
· Call your Legislators, If you’re not sure who they are, go
to https://legis.wisconsin.gov and click on the “who are my Legislators
button” on the right hand side below the picture, then enter your address into
the search window
· Let Citizens Utility Board know you are concerned about rates increasing
due to increased construction costs – click on https://cubwi.org/contact-us/
· Call a local radio or TV station and tell them what’s going on
Here are some of the talking points, relative to the facts:
· In the original economic evaluation by the PSC, the project economics
were questionable. The Commission did not protect the Public Interests.
· The original economic analysis was not performed for the project. Instead
the Joint Applicants presented whether Koshkonong benefited their energy
generation portfolio’s. The Commission did not protect the Public Interests.
· The economics presented to the PSC was based on the cost of the project
being $649 million and it is therefore not valid, if the cost will actually be
$921 million. A new analysis should be done to determine what the
economic benefits/harms are to the ratepayers of this state. The Commission
should Reopen the docket for further review or deny the project.
· The claim that electric rates could ultimately go down, is ludicrous. These
giant solar facilities cost money and therefore are providing costs to
customers not savings.
· The PSC Decision states that “…in no event shall the recoverability of the
acquisition costs exceed the estimated cost for each applicant specified in
the application.” The Commission should Reopen the docket and deny the
project.
· The Commission approved the Project with the knowledge that its cost
might increase, leading to it being uneconomic and therefore, adding to “the
cost of service” for ratepayers and failing to meet Wisconsin’s laws. The
Commission did not protect the Public Interests.
· In its Final Decision, the Commission also states: The Commission approves
an acquisition price of $649 million, with conditions. In particular, the
Commission shall review in a future rate case the recoverability of costs
associated with the acquisition, O&M costs, and revenues associated with the
project; provided, however, the recoverability of acquisition payments to the
applicants and the seller should not exceed $649 million.” The Commission
should disallow any rate increases (in future rate cases), to cover the
additional costs, beyond the original $649 million that the project was
approved for.
· The Commission should reopen the case and find the project to be
uneconomic, failing to meet state laws and deny the project. Or at a
minimum, the Commission should disallow any rate increases (in future rate
cases), to cover the additional costs, beyond the original $649 million that
the project was approved for. Anything else leaves the public holding the bag
for bad planning and PSC failures to protect the public interest.