Wisconsin Public Service Corporation Seeks to Intervene in Midcontinent Independent System Operator Proceeding

Strategic Insights -

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, along with Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation, has filed a motion to intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceeding EL25-90, which involves a complaint filed by Consumers Energy Company against Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO). The WEC Utilities, as transmission customers and market participants in MISO, seek to ensure that the MISO Tariff includes a mechanism to recover the operating costs of the Consumers Energy 1,400 MW J.H. Campbell generation facility, which was ordered to remain in operation by the Department of Energy (DOE). The WEC Utilities argue that they have direct and substantial interests in the proceeding, which cannot be adequately represented by any other party.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WEC Utilities, comprising Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Wisconsin Electric Power Company, and Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation, have submitted a motion to intervene in the FERC proceeding EL25-90.
  • The intervention seeks to address the complaint filed by Consumers Energy Company against MISO, specifically regarding the recovery of operating costs for the Consumers Energy 1,400 MW J.H. Campbell generation facility.
  • The WEC Utilities argue that they have direct and substantial interests in the proceeding, as transmission customers and market participants in MISO.
  • The WEC Utilities request full party status to ensure that their interests are adequately represented.
  • The Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered the Consumers Energy 1,400 MW J.H. Campbell generation facility to remain in operation beyond its scheduled May 31, 2025 retirement date, with the order expiring on August 21, 2025.
  • The WEC Utilities are engaged in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity to retail and wholesale customers in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan within the MISO footprint.

Statistics:

  • 1,400 MW: The capacity of the Consumers Energy J.H. Campbell generation facility, which was ordered to remain in operation by the DOE.
  • May 31, 2025: The original scheduled retirement date for the Consumers Energy J.H. Campbell generation facility.
  • August 21, 2025: The expiration date of the DOE order, which requires the facility to remain in operation.

Sources:

  • [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceeding EL25-90, Consumers Energy Company v. Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.]
  • 18 C.F.R. ASSASS 385.212, 385.214 (Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
  • Document Accession #: 20250620-5353, FERC filing by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, dated June 20, 2025.