Public sounds off on Integrys/WPS sale
Public opinion on the proposed acquisition of Integrys Energy Group by Wisconsin Energy Corp. remains largely unknown after Thursday’s state Public Service Commission hearing.
About a dozen people not representing the commission or utilities attended the opening of the meeting at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, and two spoke.
The $9.1 billion deal includes Wisconsin Public Service Corp., the provider of electricity and natural gas for most residents in Northeastern and north-central Wisconsin. We Energies, owned by Wisconsin Energy Group, provides electricity to southeastern Wisconsin, the Fox Valley and much of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula., and natural gas to a wide range of regions throughout the state.
Integrys Energy also owns natural gas distribution companies in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.
Alexander Tetzlaff of Seymour said he was a former lineman for WPS and now is business agent for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 420 in Green Bay, though he was testifying on his own behalf. He urged he commission to ensure that Wisconsin Energy provide good rates and maintain safety standards.
“Reductions and attrition (of employees) will negatively affect that,” he said.
Steven Evan Gillis of Green Bay took Integrys Energy to task for not using cow manure as a source for electric generation.
“There’s lots and lots and lots of manure,” he said. “They made no effort whatsoever to take advantage of the bio gas opportunity that’s here. I don’t know how much more remote management can get, but my sincere hope is that it (gets better).”
Thirteen people testified at Wednesday’s public hearing in Milwaukee, and 14 submitted comments in writing through the PSC’s website.
But 28 comments from more than 2.5 million customers in Wisconsin isn’t quite as bad as it seems. Michael Newmark, administrative law judge for the PSC, who conducted Thursday’s hearing, said 19 groups representing many customers intervened in the process, including unions, other utilities, environmental groups, solar groups, residential and industrial associations and the Wisconsin Paper Council, among others.
“That’s almost a record,” he said.
Thursday’s is the last public hearing on the proposal, which the utilities hope to complete by summer. A technical hearing for the utilities and interested parties, called intervenors, is scheduled for March 11.
The deal also needs approval from regulators in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.
Written comments can be submitted through the PSC website until March 10. The website is psc.wi.gov. The docket number is r 9400-YO-100.
“We get a lot of comments on our website,” Newmark said.
The PSC’s three commissioners are given all the comments prior to making a decision, he said.
— rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @RichRymanPG or on Facebook at Richard Ryman-Press-Gazette. Contact him at (920) 431-8342.