1. (1) Definition. In this section, “voluntary program” means an energy efficiency or renewable resource program that an energy utility voluntarily proposes for commission approval under s. 196.374 (2) (b) 2., Stats.
2. (2) Request to administer or fund a voluntary program. An energy utility may file a request with the commission at any time to administer or fund one or more voluntary programs in its service territory. The commission shall consider requests that it receives at least 6 months before the start of the statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program year for implementation in that program year.

3. (3) Required information. An energy utility requesting to administer one or more voluntary programs in its service territory shall provide the information specified in s. PSC 137.07 (3) (b) 1., 4., 6., 7., and 8., plus the following information:

   1. (a) A proposed reporting schedule.
   2. (b) A description of the energy utility’s proposed database tracking and reporting system.
   3. (c) A description of how the energy utility will coordinate its voluntary program with statewide programs under s. PSC 137.05, utility-administered programs under s. PSC 137.07, and ordered programs.
   4. (d) An evaluation, measurement, and verification plan.

4. (4) Prior approval of voluntary programs.

   1. (a) An energy utility may only administer or fund a voluntary program with the commission’s prior approval.

   2. (b) The commission shall consider each of the following factors when deciding whether to approve a voluntary program:

      1. 1. Whether the program is in the public interest.
      2. 2. The likelihood the program will achieve its goals.
      3. 3. The inclusion of appropriate energy efficiency or renewable resource measures.
      4. 4. The adequacy of the budget.
      5. 5. The balance of services available to customer segments.
      6. 6. The cost-effectiveness of the program.
      7. 7. The adequacy of the energy utility’s evaluation, measurement, and verification plan.
      8. 8. The level of coordination with statewide programs under s. PSC 137.05, utility-administered programs under s. PSC 137.07, and ordered programs and the potential for disrupting the overall ability of energy efficiency or renewable resource efforts in the state to meet the goals, priorities, and measurable targets established under s. 196.374 (3) (b) 1., Stats.
   3. (c) The commission shall issue its decision to approve, deny, or modify a proposed voluntary program under this section in writing, within 40 working days after receiving the proposal. If the commission denies or modifies a proposed voluntary program it shall explain its reasons. The energy utility may revise and resubmit a proposed voluntary program that the commission has denied.
5. (5) Modifying or discontinuing a voluntary program. An energy utility may request the commission to authorize the modification or discontinuation of a voluntary program at any time. No energy utility may modify or discontinue a voluntary program without the commission’s prior approval.

History

History: CR 06-139: cr. Register July 2007 No. 619, eff. 8-1-07.