In a series of rulings regarding Wisconsin Electric Power Co.,
the Wisconsin Public Service Commission has directed the
utility to reduce electric charges and natural gas service rates.
In a similar ruling, the commission also has authorized Wisconsin Public Service Corp. to boost rates for natural gas, while trimming rates for electric service.
Wisconsin Electric. The commission ordered Wisconsin Electric to cut electric rates by $7.383 million. Rate of return on common equity was set at 10.8 percent. In setting charges for electric service, the commission considered the effect on rates of several large sales by the utility to customers in Illinois under a pilot retail-wheeling program initiated in that state. It rejected allegations that Wisconsin Electric was discriminating against local customers by charging lower rates to participants in the pilot program.
The commission also announced a goal of moving to a competitive model for the provision of conservation services. Under the plan, nonutility entities with no conservation goals deliver demand-side management services for the utilities or above-the line treatment of costs and revenues by the end of 1998. The commission anticipates a Public Benefits Advisory Board would administer the new DSM process.