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12/15/03 |
In blatant disregard for the general public, ratepayers and the economic well being of the State, the Public Service Commission (PSC) once again failed in their duties to properly review the Arrowhead Weston transmission line and verbally approved construction.
The PSC referenced the Black & Veatch review of cost as a reason to believe that the new cost estimate of $420 million dollars is reasonable, despite the fact that it was pointed out in the record that this was the same firm that developed the original cost estimate of $165 million just two years ago.
The PSC today approved another 30 year mortgage for ever ratepayer in Wisconsin to pay for a transmission line that cannot improve significantly improve reliability, cannot provide access to a significant access to lower cost energy supply and will ensure that additional transmission lines will need to be constructed to allow the Arrowhead line to provide even marginal benefits to the State.
Members of the public who attended today’s hearing verbally chastised the three commissioners in the middle of their review when it became obvious that these commissioners had failed in their duties to consider the best interests of the State. Unable to control the situation the commissioners fled the hearing room. The public likewise vacated the premises knowing that justice if not yet dead is mortally wounded.
Unless our PSC is held accountable once again to serve the ratepayers of Wisconsin and to give honest reviews of utility projects instead of rubber stamps, ratepayers in Wisconsin will be unable to afford to keep the lights on and business will flee our State in droves because they simply cannot afford to conduct business here.
SOUL urges those who are concerned about having cost effective reliable electricity to work with us to develop a responsible energy plan for the future.
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