Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact. Any expenditures on rate cases will require separate budget approval.
Title
Authorizing the City of Madison’s Intervention in Madison Gas and Electric Company’s Rate Cases Before the Public Service Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, the Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE) provides electric and gas service to most of the City of Madison and accordingly provides energy services to the City at hundreds of sites; and,
WHEREAS, in 2011, the City Council adopted the Madison Sustainability Plan, whose goals included a 50% energy reduction by 2030 in part by increasing energy efficiency in private and public buildings and adoption of renewable energy so as to comprise up to 15% of energy use in the city; and,
WHEREAS, in 2013, the City Council launched the Race Equity and Social Justice Initiative that established as one of its three primary goals equity in the community which is explicitly defined as “equitable allocation of resources”; and,
WHEREAS, in 2014 the City intervened in MGE’s rate case before the Public Service Commission (PSC), arguing against the proposed rate design that was ultimately approved by the PSC; and,
WHEREAS, as the community’s energy needs adapt to changes in technology and energy demands, MGE’s applications for rate increases may have significant impacts on the City’s operations, as well as the City’s ability to meet its sustainability and equity goals, along with other goals and interests of the City that are developed over time; and,
WHEREAS, as the City’s substantial interests are and will be affected by MGE’s current and future applications to the PSC for rate increases, the City has standing to intervene by right in such matters.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Attorney’s Office is authorized to represent the City of Madison as an intervenor in MGE’s pending and future rate cases before the Public Service Commission, intervening by right in such proceedings and advancing the City’s interests and goals as established over time by the Mayor and the Common Council.