Gary Meltz and Brad Viator of Power for Tomorrow join the podcast to discuss how the regulated electric utility model protects customers, how deregulation drives up electric bills, and how to address some of the challenges facing the industry today. Links: Gary's Column: Electric Deregulation Historically Means Higher Power Billshttps://www.powerfortomorrow.org/news/real-clear-energy-electric-deregulation-historically-means-higher-power-billsMore on Brad's RTO Insider Column: https://www.powerfortomorrow.org/news/rto-insider-pjm-is-flailing-but-theres-a-solutionPower for Tomorrow: https://www.powerfortomorrow.org/Podcast referenced in this episode: Utility Regulation Really Sucks: Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkinshttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0reuOqB6EuxqnGmGHbvSEo
What does the data really say about the reliability of Wisconsin’s electric grid amid rising demand and evolving energy needs? Host Kristin Gilkes is joined by John Jicha and Scott Smith of Madison Gas and Electric to break down the facts, clear up misconceptions, and explore what’s ahead for the state’s energy future.
CFC's 2025 Power Breakfast featured discussions about data centers and energy use. Thanks to WisconsinEye for providing coverage of the event; please visit wiseye.org/donate to support their mission.
Event link on WisconsinEye: https://wiseye.org/2025/05/06/customers-first-coalition-2025-power-breakfast/
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Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss legislative guiding principles, his personal perspective on nuclear power, load growth, and bipartisan energy solutions.
Mentioned in this discussion:
WisconsinEye coverage of CFC’s 2025 Power Breakfast on Data Centers and Energy Use:
https://wiseye.org/2025/05/06/customers-first-coalition-2025-power-breakfast/
Electric Wire, Episode 36 - Considerations When Installing Solar Power at Your Home or Business
Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss recent legislative initiatives, energy policy, and creating a bridge between urban and rural Wisconsin residents with climate initiatives.
As mentioned in the episode, CFC is hosting our annual Power Breakfast on May 6, 2025, in Madison and this year's topic is data centers and energy use. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfc-power-breakfast-2025-data-centers-and-energy-use-tickets-1246469396519
Our year-in-review crew is back to reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Special guests include: Kara Pennoyer, Chief of Staff to Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Summer Strand; Matthew Spencer, Director of Government Relations, Madison Gas and Electric; Luke Fuller, Government Relations Manager, Dairyland Power Cooperative; Jessica Niekrasz, Vice President of Operations, BIOFerm.
Earlier this year we celebrated some of our top episodes of the Electric Wire podcast in person by inviting previous podcast guests to Madison to speak at our annual Power Breakfast.
Thanks to WisconsinEye, we are able to bring Power Breakfast audio and video to our listeners. Please visit wiseye.org to check out more live and archived footage from WisconsinEye and consider making a donation to this free service!
This podcast episode follows the Power Breakfast agenda for speaker order:
- Opening Remarks by Commissioner Marcus Hawkins, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
- Laurel Peltier, Journalist and Energy Advocate
- Brent Ridge, President and CEO, Dairyland Power Cooperative
- Wisconsin's Energy Providers Panel
- Rep. Lisa Subek, Ranking Member, Assembly Energy & Utilities Committee
Thanks for listening!
Justin Chasco of Fredrikson & Byron joins the podcast to discuss CFC's upcoming Power Breakfast event, which will celebrate the 50th episode of the Electric Wire podcast. Registration and info about the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-power-breakfast-the-best-of-the-electric-wire-tickets-923933468877
Jon Baker, Project Manager of the proposed Vista Sands Solar Project in Central Wisconsin, joins the Electric Wire to discuss the process, opportunities, and challenges that come with siting a large solar project. Read Jon’s recent opinion column highlighting the project, here: https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-solar-project-furthers-conservation-clean-energy-goals/article_b0e07dba-0ef5-11ef-9435-dba12b87857a.html Register for CFC's August 15, 2024, Power Breakfast, here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-power-breakfast-the-best-of-the-electric-wire-tickets-923933468877
On Episode 47 of the Electric Wire, we discuss the steps Powering Wisconsin is taking to help include utility-scale renewable energy in Wisconsin’s generation portfolio and the process it takes to get more renewable energy sited here in Wisconsin. Special guests include Peder Mewis, Clean Grid Alliance, and Mike Kuglitsch, Michael Best Strategies LLC, representing Powering Wisconsin. Matthew Spencer, Madison Gas & Electric, co-hosts. Read Peder’s recent Op-Ed on Wisconsin’s energy policies, here: https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-lawmakers-taking-right-approach-to-renewable-energy/article_668ac7f6-03ed-11ef-8533-7b7ef69acb83.html
Don't forget to register for CFC's Power Breakfast on August 15, 2024, here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-power-breakfast-the-best-of-the-electric-wire-tickets-923933468877
Tom Content, Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, joins host Kristin Gilkes to recap the recent NASUCA Conference in Madison, WI, and the issues discussed at the conference, such as data centers, transmission, EV buildout, innovative rate designs, and more.
CFC's Power Breakfast on August 15 will highlight key speakers from the Electric Wire podcast as we celebrate our 50th episode. Register here: 2024 Power Breakfast: The Best of the Electric Wire Tickets, Thu, Aug 15, 2024 at 8:15 AM | Eventbrite Key Moments from this Episode:
4:00 – NASUCA Conference: Discussion of Consumer Impacts from Extreme Heat + PSCW Commissioner Kristy Nieto Introductory Remarks
5:57 – Issues related to data centers
8:10 – Considerations of direct selling baseload power to data centers in other states
9:30 – Microsoft data center in WI
10:15 – cost allocation for data centers
11:06 – transmission issues discussed at conference
16:22 – EPRI Electric Vehicles Buildout Tool for Utilities
18:45 – Consumer issues on the horizon
19:50 – Increasing demand/affordability tipping point
20:50 – Bringing down costs
23:15 – Tom’s “All the Power” moment
25:12 – Appropriate levels of spending on energy efficiency
27:00 – Upcoming CFC Power Breakfast on August 15
Registration Link:
31:20 – Upcoming CCIF report on innovative rate designs and time of use rates
Wisconsin is taking action to access federal funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program which will help install EV fast charging stations along the state's major highway corridors. Our special guests for this episode include: Emma Heins of the Electrification Coalition and Kaleb Vander Wiele of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Links from Episode
Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Electrification
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/multimodal/electrification.aspx
Interactive Map of Potential Charging Station Locations
Electrification Coalition
https://electrificationcoalition.org/
Key Moments
1:40 - Interview with Emma Heins begins
4:40 - WI legislation
8:00 - Additional aspects of legislation
11:15 - Why federal incentives for EVs?
13:00 - How will EV charging in WI change over the next year?
14:30 - Other policy actions needed on EVs?
17:40 - Emma's "All the Power" moment
19:57 - Interview with Kaleb Vander Wiele begins
25:00 - Changes in EV policies since 2017
28:10 - NEVI
30:30 - Charging Station Map (See map online: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8405604ccc034f7c8c4e95e6776951a7#data_s=id%3AdataSource_7-189ad031f53-layer-11%3A17)
38:22 - Where do we go from here?
46:37 - Kaleb's "All the Power" moment
Chairperson Rebecca Valcq joins us to reflect on her five years leading the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin as she prepares for her final day at the agency on February 2, 2024. We discuss her proudest moments, biggest challenges, memorable cases, and much more. Lori Sakk, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute, joins to co-host this episode.
Chairperson Valcq discusses the following during our conversation:
Links from Episode:
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute (WPUI):
Upcoming Educational Programs from WPUI:
https://wpui.wisc.edu/programs/
Electric Wire, Episode 3 (Apple)
Electric Wire, Episode 3 (Spotify)
The year-in-review roundtable is back with both new and familiar faces to help us recap this year in Wisconsin energy news. We discuss the top stories, ideas, and developments in 2023, as well as making some predictions for the year ahead.
Our special guests include:
· Kara Pennoyer, Chief of Staff to Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Rebecca Valcq
· Matthew Spencer, Director of Government Relations, Madison Gas and Electric
· Carrie Templeton, Regulatory Relations and Policy Manager, Alliant Energy
· Andy Bochman, Senior Grid Strategist, Idaho National Laboratory
Key Moments
03:25 - Top Energy Stories of the Year
07:10 – Top Sustainable Energy Developments of the Year
12:50 – Most Promising Energy Idea of the Year
18:30 – “Shock” of the Year
25:00 – Favorite Episode of the Electric Wire This Year
32:45 – Predictions (Reflecting Back & Looking Forward)
42:30 – “All the Power” Moments
2023 Reflection Clips
49:15 –Episode 37: Brent Ridge, CEO of Dairyland Power Cooperative, discusses hydropower using mine storage
52:05 –Episode 38: Cindy Smith, Chief Legal Counsel at Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, discusses public participation and process at the PSCW
55:40 –Episode 33: Sen. Julian Bradley discusses an “all of the above” approach to energy during his “All the Power” moment
Links to Previous, Highlighted Episodes
Electric Wire, Episode 40: Tours at MGE EV Fast Charging Hub and O’Brien Solar Fields
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVK0103DDaE&t=1114s
Electric Wire, Episode 41 - MEUW Celebrates with Public Power on Parade at the State Capitol
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIL9Qi_Z4FY
Electric Wire, Episode 38 - Cindy Smith discusses participation and process at the PSCW
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS6PQZLEpOQ
Electric Wire, Ep. 39 - Marcus Hawkins discusses his role leading the Organization of MISO States
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqYCUp7_dTM&t=468s
Electric Wire, Episode 27 - The Reality of Retail Choice with Laurel Peltier
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6fD7EMD_BY&t=164s
Electric Wire, Episode 25 - Nuclear Power, Reliability & Global Weirding
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpcEMypyy8o&t=32s
For more detailed analysis of PSCW rate proceedings this year, you can check out content from our friends at the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLwz3hEZvK8
Wisconsin’s state-wide energy efficiency program, Focus on Energy, helps electric customers achieve cost-savings through energy conservation measures. Our guests on this episode discuss more about the program, why it was created, what’s in it for customers, costs and benefits, the program’s four-year planning process, and more. We are joined by Lisa Stefanik, Managing Director, Focus on Energy, and Jolene Sheil, Portfolio Manager for Focus on Energy, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Matthew Spencer, Director of Government Relations, Madison Gas and Electric, and Board Member for the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration (SEERA), co-hosts.
Key Moments
4:43 – What is the Focus on Energy program?
5:50 – When, how, and why was Focus on Energy created?
7:15 – More on the roles of the program’s administrator, APTIM; the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; and, the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration
9:55 – How is Focus on Energy funded and what is the relationship between the state’s electric utilities and Focus on Energy?
14:35 – What does Focus on Energy do for Wisconsin’s electric customers?
17:30 – How does the program reach out to customers about available offerings?
18:48 – How are decisions made about what energy efficiency programs to offer?
22:50 – What are the costs and benefits of the program?
23:40 – More on the benefits of the program (bill savings, grid improvements, environmental, and economic benefits)
29:10 – What are the top performing programs? (Industrial projects; discussion of LED lightbulbs)
39:00 – Related federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act
43:50 – The Quadrennial Planning Process
48:30 – Renewable energy funding
50:29 – Issues that arose during COVID-19 pandemic
Links from Episode
Focus on Energy
https://focusonenergy.com/
Focus on Energy Success Stories
https://focusonenergy.com/success-stories-1
Online Home Assessment Tool Walkthrough
https://focusonenergy.com/home-assessment
Focus on Energy Annual Reports
https://focusonenergy.com/evaluation-reports/categories/annual-reports
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
APTIM (Focus on Energy Program Administrator) https://www.aptim.com/
As the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin, or MEUW, celebrated its 95th birthday on October 18, 2023, the organization brought municipal utility leaders from across the state to the State Capitol to share the benefits of public power in their communities. The celebration culminated with a parade around the Capitol Square, with 81 utility bucket trucks showing their public power pride. This podcast episode features several short interviews conducted on-site during MEUW’s day at the Capitol; a quick look at some of the communities represented in the public power bucket truck parade; and, the episode concludes with a sit-down interview with Richard Heinemann, a long-time energy attorney at Boardman Clark representing municipal utilities. **Energy nerds will not want to miss the long-form interview with Richard Heinemann starting at 15:30!** Episode Special Guests • Tim Heinrich, President and CEO, Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin • Jill Weiss, Utilities Director, Stoughton Utilities • George Morrissey, Director of Public Works, Cuba City • Richard Heinemann, Attorney, Boardman & Clark LLP Links from Episode October 2023 Issue of Live Lines Newsletter (MEUW Celebrates 95th Anniversary) https://www.meuw.org//Files/Live%20Lines/2023%20October%20Live%20Lines.pdf Map of Municipal Electric Utilities in Wisconsin https://www.meuw.org/map Electric Wire, Episode 29 - Rooted in Community: Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00s1H5MNYN0&t=592s Key Moments 1:35 – Interview with Tim Heinrich (MEUW) begins 6:19 – Interview with Jill Weiss (Stoughton Utilities) begins 9:00 – Public Power on Parade at the Capitol (about 3 mins 30 seconds) 12:48 -- Interview with George Morrissey (Cuba City) begins 15:30 – Interview with Richard Heinemann (Boardman Clark) begins 19:00 – Founding of municipal utilities/service territories 23:30 – Regulatory issues specific to municipal utilities 30:00 – “Pancaking”(or, stacking) of transmission rates 32:36 – Municipal utility regulation at the local level 36:15 – What is a joint action agency? 41:26 – How are municipal utilities funded? 43:25 – Is it possible to become a public power community today? 48:58 – Richard’s “All the Power” answer
On today’s episode, we are bringing listeners along for two recent, in-person tours hosted by CFC for our members. Our first stop was at Madison Gas and Electric’s fast-charging hub for electric vehicles in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. The fast-charging hub features sixteen fast-charging stalls, including eight Tesla Superchargers. Our next tour stop was at Madison Gas and Electric’s O’Brien Solar Fields just south of Madison in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. The 22-MW O'Brien Solar Fields delivers locally-generated solar energy to large energy users. The episode features subject matter experts from Madison Gas & Electric guiding our tours, including: • Erinn Monroe-Nye – Energy Services and Policy Manager • John Armstrong – Renewable Engineering Manager • Mark Lydon – Senior Account Manager • Jeanne Burns-Frank – Environmental and Sustainability Program Manager Key Moments from the Episode Include: 2:00 – Erinn Details EV Fast Charging Hub 7:34 – Lessons learned during operation of EV Fast Charging Hub 9:20 – Question about managing cars parked at hub 10:19 – Erinn’s “All the Power” Moment (Paving the way for more fast chargers) 11:00 – O’Brien Solar Tour Begins 14:20 – Mark discusses MGE customers receiving power from project 16:28 – Project Development and Leasing with John 18:30 – Jeanne discusses vegetation mix and ideal native plants for solar sites 27:40 – Process of converting sunlight to electricity on site 29:40 – Winter considerations at solar site 31:40 – Land use and benefits to the land 32:41 – John’s “All the Power” Moment (MISO Queue) 33:44 – Mark’s “All the Power” Moment (Energy jargon) 34:55 – Jeanne’s “All the Power” Moment (Energy storage) Find more information about the EV fast charging hub and O’Brien Solar Fields at the Madison Gas & Electric website:
EV Charging Hub: https://www.mge.com/newsroom/news-rel... MG&E Solar Projects: https://www.mge.com/our-environment/g...
Our special guest Marcus Hawkins, Executive Director, Organization of MISO States (OMS), walks us through some of the day-to-day functions of OMS, how he keeps up with proceedings at the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), and his view on the benefits of Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO's). Links from Episode: PSCW’s Strategic Energy Assessment (2028) https://apps.psc.wi.gov/pages/viewdoc.htm?docid=451939 2023 MISO-OMS Resource Adequacy Survey https://cdn.misoenergy.org/20230714%20OMS%20MISO%20Survey%20Results%20Presentation629607.pdf Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) https://www.misoenergy.org/ Organization of MISO States (OMS) https://www.misostates.org/index.php Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) https://www.ferc.gov/
Cindy Smith has served as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for over a decade and across three administrations. She joins the Electric Wire to discuss her role at the PSCW, ways the public can participate in the PSCW’s deliberative process, and how the energy landscape has changed over the past decade.
Cindy will answer the following questions and more over the course of the episode:
· What should the public know about the process for participating in cases before the PSC? (12:19)
· What are some of the cases of interest to the public that are currently before the Commission or coming up? (27:20)
· How has the energy landscape changed since Cindy started at the Commission and how do those changes impact the work of the PSCW? (30:00)
· What are the most memorable cases that have come through the PSCW during Cindy’s time there? (36:32)
Links from Episode
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Homepage:
https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Highlighted Cases:
https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/CommissionActions/HighlightedCases.aspx
Mine storage is a specific form of pumped hydro energy storage that is currently being explored in a partnership between Dairyland Power Cooperative, Michigan Technological University, and Sweden-based Mine Storage.
This episode of the Electric Wire podcast includes executives from Dairyland Power Cooperative, with President and CEO Brent Ridge, and VP of Strategic Growth John Carr, both returning to the podcast to discuss this new possibility for energy storage.
Dr. Timothy Scarlett is an Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Michigan Technological University, and he joins the conversation to explain some of the specific considerations when using mines for pumped hydro energy storage.
In the introductions alone, you will learn more about Dairyland’s interest in energy storage options and their plans for how it could complement other new technologies, such as small modular nuclear reactors (SMR’s).
Other highlights from the episode include:
19:00–Dr. Scarlett answers how pumped hydro storage using mines works
25:45–Brent Ridge and John Carr discuss how Dairyland will decide whether or not to move forward with a potential project
28:45–Brent Ridge answers which he thinks we will see first: mine storage for pumped hydro projects or new SMR’s
29:45–Each of the guests discuss the challenges with implementing pumped hydro storage
32:00–Dr. Scarlett discusses a case study demonstrating the capacity for mine storage projects
45:30–Each of the guests discuss what they would do if they had “All the Power” in the industry
Learn more about the recent announcement of the partnership between Dairyland Power Cooperative, Michigan Tech University, and Mine Storage at the following links:
Dairyland Power Cooperative Press Release:
https://dairylandpower.com/dairyland-exploring-pumped-hydro-energy-storage
Michigan Technological University web site:
https://www.mtu.edu/
MTU 2023 Research Magazine story about the idea of PUSH/MineStorage:
https://www.mtu.edu/magazine/2023/stories/mines-new-energy/
Mine Storage web site: https://www.minestorage.com/
Mine Storage concept graphic: https://www.minestorage.com/energy-solution/#mine-storage-concept
Wisconsin Public Radio: https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-dairyland-energy-utility-converting-abandoned-mines-hydroelectric-generators
Note: Dairyland Power Cooperative is a Founding Member of the Customers First Coalition