PSC Considers Second DER Financing Docket

At its Open Meeting on January 10, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) considered the second of two petitions for declaratory ruling related to financing arrangements for distributed energy resources (DERs). In Docket 9300-DR-105, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) sought a declaratory ruling from the PSC that entities which provide DER financing are not public utilities, and therefore not subject to PSC jurisdiction and regulation. MREA stated its intent to provide DER financing to multiple Wisconsin customers, but requested clarity from the PSC as to the extent of the PSC's jurisdiction. MREA presented eleven specific attributes ("state of facts") it said are common to its proposed DER financing arrangements, and argued that the PSC should issue a declaratory ruling that would apply to that state of facts, rather than a particular arrangement, and be binding on the PSC and any party involved in the proceeding. Opponents argued that MREA does in