CR_11-002 Revising Chapters Comm 2 and 40 relating to fuel gas systems, and affecting small businesses.

42 USC 674 (4) (A) defines "foster care maintenance payments" as payments to cover the cost of (and the cost of providing) food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, a child's personal incidentals, liability insurance with respect to a child, reasonable travel to the child's home for visitation, and reasonable travel for the child to remain in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement.

As part of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, 42 USC 675 (1) (G) was created and 42 USC 674 (4) (A) was amended to add the phrase "reasonable travel for the child to remain in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement."

Comparison with rules in adjacent states

The assessment tool prescribed by the department is used statewide in Iowa and Illinois and is used parts of Minnesota and Michigan. Michigan and Illinois have a levels of care system for foster homes.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies

The non-statutory requirements of the rule are based on recommendations from the Out-of-Home Care/Adoption Committee and the Foster Parent Training Committee. The committees have worked with the department for the past 5 years to incorporate new federal laws into state law and policy by referring to other state models and national standards of child welfare practice. For the past 2 years, both committees have focused on developing policy to implement the levels of care and foster parent training initiatives in 2009 Wisconsin Act 28 . Both committees have statewide membership of staff from counties, tribes, private child-placing agencies, foster and treatment foster parents, court personnel, advocacy agencies, and state government.

Analysis used to determine effect on small business

The proposed rule will affect private child-placing agencies, some of which are small businesses. The policies in the rule were developed in collaboration with members of the Foster Parent Training Committee and the Out-of-Home Care/Adoption Committee, which included representatives from child-placing agencies.

Much of the rule is based on current practices of the majority of agencies supporting treatment foster care. The sections on agency responsibilities were part of DCF 38 and have been rewritten into DCF 56 with few changes. Representatives from child-placing agencies indicated that their agencies already require foster parents to have as much or more than the training hours in the proposed rule. Many agencies that serve treatment foster parents and treatment foster children with higher needs already have a levels or intensity system with different foster parent qualifications, training, and payments. The rule will put structure and consistency to the levels of care that will help counties know what services they are purchasing as they work with different private agencies that provide similar services. Existing treatment foster homes will be grandfathered in as Level 3 foster homes and existing shift-staffed treatment foster homes will be grandfathered in as Level 5 foster homes. Some private child-placing agencies will choose to offer Level 4 foster homes and will certify these foster parents under the emergency and proposed rules. The administrative cost will be minimal.

In addition, the department will be providing 6 hours of the new pre-placement training without charge to the agencies. The department is also creating online training to allow agency staff to receive certification and recertification in administering the standardized assessment tool without charge.

Effect on Small Business

The rule will affect small businesses, but will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small businesses. The Department's Small Business Regulatory Coordinator is Elaine Pridgen, elaine.pridgen@wisconsin.
gov ; [phone].

Fiscal Estimate

State fiscal effect

Indeterminate.

Local fiscal effect

Indeterminate.

Long-range fiscal implications

None.

Assumptions used in arriving at fiscal estimate

This rule incorporates the administrative rule under Chapter 38 into Chapter 56 to create one universal licensing code for foster care and treatment foster care providers. This is the second phase of creating the Levels of Care system passed in 2009 Wisconsin Act 28 . This rule establishes the requirements for certification at levels 3, 4, and 5. A foster home is licensed at these levels based on a number of factors, including the level of knowledge, skill, training, and experience of the licensee. This rule establishes the minimum amount of training at each of these levels. In addition, this rule mandates the use of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) rating tool. This rating tools is designed to consistently identify the needs of children, ensure that providers are addressing those needs, and determine reimbursements to foster and treatment foster parents.

The rule will affect counties and the Department, which operates the child welfare program in Milwaukee County. The rule is not anticipated to affect current foster care and treatment foster care providers. Most existing providers meet the qualifications in the rule and existing providers are grandfathered into the rule.

The implementation of the CANS rating tool may identify some unmet needs for children, which could increase the costs of providing services to these children. Also, the CANS rating tool could more appropriately identify a lesser level of need for children who already are receiving special services, which may decrease costs to serve these children. Additionally, providing children with adequate services may reduce the length of stay for children in out-of-home care, reducing long-term costs. The net effect of these scenarios cannot be determined.

Agency Contact Person

Jonelle Brom, Bureau of Permanence and Out-of-Home Care, Division of Safety and Permanence, [phone], [e-mail] .

Notice of Hearing

Commerce

Fee schedule, Ch. Comm 2

Gas Systems, Ch. Comm 40

CR 11-002

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to sections 101.02 (15) (h) to (j), 101.16 (2), 101.17 and 101.19 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Department of Commerce will hold a public Hearing on proposed rules revising Chapters Comm 2 and 40 relating to fuel gas systems, and affecting small businesses.

Hearing Information

The public Hearing will be held as follows:

Date and Time:	Location:
February 8, 2011 Tuesday 10:30 am	Thompson Commerce Center 3rd flr, Room 3B 201 West Washington Avenue Madison, WI 53703

This Hearing will be held in an accessible facility. If you have special needs or circumstances that may make communication or accessibility difficult at the Hearing, please call Sam Rockweiler at [phone] or at Contact Through Relay at least 10 days prior to the Hearing date. Accommodations such as interpreters, English translators, or materials in audio tape format will, to the fullest extent possible, be made available upon a request from a person with a disability.

Submittal of Written Comments and Appearances at the Hearing

Interested persons are invited to appear at the Hearing and present comments on the proposed rules. Persons making oral presentations are requested to submit their comments in writing, via e-mail. Persons submitting comments will not receive individual responses. The Hearing record on this rulemaking will remain open until February 14, 2011 , to permit submittal of written comments from persons who are unable to attend the Hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the Hearing. E-mail comments should be sent to [e-mail] . If e-mail submittal is not possible, written comments may be submitted to Sam Rockweiler, Department of Commerce, Division of Environmental and Regulatory Services, P.O. Box 14427, Madison, WI 53708-0427.

Copies of Proposed Rule

The proposed rules and an analysis of them are available by entering "Comm 40" in the search engine at the following Website: https://health.wisconsin.gov/admrules/public/Hom e . Paper copies may be obtained without cost from Sam Rockweiler at the Department of Commerce, Division of Environmental and Regulatory Services, P.O. Box 14427, Madison, WI 53707, or at [e-mail] , or at telephone [phone], or at Contact Through Relay. Copies will also be available at the public Hearing.

Analysis Prepared by the Department of Commerce

Statute(s) interpreted

Sections 101.02 (1) and (15) (h) to (j) , 101.11 , 101.16 , 101.17 and 101.19 .

Statutory authority

Sections 101.02 (1) and (15) (h) to (j) , 101.16 (2) , 101.17 , 101.19 (1) and 227.11 (2) (a) .

Explanation of agency authority

Under sections 101.02 (1) and (15) (h) to (j) of the Statutes, the Department is required to establish rules and prescribe safeguards for protecting the life, health, safety and welfare of employees and frequenters of public buildings and places of employment. Under section 101.16 (2) of the Statutes, the Department is required to establish rules relating to design, construction, location, installation, operation, repair, and maintenance of equipment for storage, handling, use, and transportation by tank truck or tank trailer, of liquefied petroleum gases for fuel purposes, and for the odorization of those gases. Under section 101.17 of the Statutes, installation and use of machines and mechanical devices must comply with the rules of the Department. Section 101.19 of the Statutes authorizes the Department to assess fees for providing services. The Department also has authority under section 227.11 (2) (a) of the Statutes to promulgate rules interpreting any statute that is enforced or administered by the Department, if the rule is considered necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute.

Related statute(s) or rule(s)

Some of the fuel gas systems that are addressed by the proposed rule changes are connected to gas piping and appliances or equipment that is addressed by either the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, which is contained in chapters Comm 61 to 66, or the Uniform Dwelling Code, which is contained in chapters Comm 20 to 25. Some of the gases that are addressed by the proposed changes are also used for other than fuel purposes – and those uses may include storage in pressure vessels, which is then addressed in chapter Comm 41, and mechanical refrigeration, which is addressed in chapter Comm 45.

Plain language analysis

Chapter Comm 40 establishes minimum safety standards for design, construction, installation, operation, testing, inspection, repair and maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas systems, liquefied natural gas systems, compressed natural gas systems, gaseous hydrogen systems, and liquefied hydrogen systems – where these gas systems are used for fuel purposes, such as for heating appliances or engines.

The proposed changes would primarily update this chapter to have it include newer editions of several referenced national standards from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and to make it consistent with current industry and regulatory practices. For example, the changes include more detailed requirements from a recent amendment to a national standard, for purging piping and equipment that use liquefied petroleum gas. The changes would also clarify and refine administrative elements, such as where and how the chapter applies, and where Department-level plan approval and inspection is required, including for vehicle-fuel dispensing systems.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations

An Internet-based search of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) found the following existing federal regulations relating to liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, gaseous hydrogen and liquefied hydrogen as covered in this update of chapter Comm 40:

•   29 CFR 1910.101 – Compressed Gases (General Requirements). This regulation in the federal Department of Labor applies to the general inspection of compressed gas cylinders.

•   29 CFR 1910.103 – Hydrogen. This regulation in the federal Department of Labor applies to the design and installation of gaseous hydrogen systems and of liquefied hydrogen systems on consumer premises.

•   29 CFR 1910.110 – Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases. This regulation in the federal Department of Labor applies to the design, construction, location, installation and operation of liquefied petroleum gas systems.

•   33 CFR 127 Subpart B – Waterfront Facilities Handling Liquefied Natural Gas. This regulation in the federal Department of Homeland Security applies to the marine transfer area of waterfront facilities handling liquefied natural gas.

These federal regulations were revised July1, 2010, and appear to be similar to the proposed rules. In addition to containing specific requirements for the various gas systems, the federal regulations incorporate by reference several national standards published by the NFPA, the American National Standards Institute, the Compressed Gas Association and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

An Internet-based search of the 2009 and 2010 issues of the Federal Register did not find any proposed regulations relating to gas systems as covered in this update of chapter Comm 40.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states

An Internet-based search of the four adjacent states' rules found the following requirements relating to gas systems used for fuel purposes:

•   Illinois – Under the Illinois Administrative Code (41 Ill. Admin. Code 200), the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall adopts the 2008 edition of NFPA Standard 58 for liquefied petroleum gas. The rules also reference the 2006 edition of NFPA 54. Illinois does not have rules for liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas or hydrogen.

•   Iowa – The Division of the State Fire Marshal is responsible for regulating liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas, in chapter 101 of the Iowa Administrative Code. That chapter adopts NFPA 54, 58 and 59A by reference. Currently, Iowa does not have rules for compressed natural gas or hydrogen.

•   Michigan – The Department of Environmental Quality administers rules relating to liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas. These rules adopt the 2004 editions of NFPA 52, 58 and 59A. The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth administers rules for compressed and liquefied natural gas and hydrogen. These rules adopt NFPA 52 and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations regulations 29 CFR 1910.101 and 1910.103 for compressed gases and gaseous and liquefied hydrogen systems.

•   Minnesota – The Minnesota State Fire Code incorporates by reference the 2006 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC). The IFC references NFPA 50A, 50B, 52, 58 and 59A. In addition, chapter 38 of the Minnesota State Fire Code incorporates by reference the 2004 edition of NFPA 58, and states that "the storage, handling, transportation and use of liquefied petroleum gas and the installation of all equipment pertinent to systems for such uses shall be designed, constructed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the provisions" in that standard.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies

In considering the latest editions of the referenced standards from NFPA, Department staff comprehensively compared these standards to the requirements currently in chapter Comm 40, and concluded that these standards are clearer and provide more detail than the current requirements and standards in Comm 40, and would not impose significant costs or other impacts on a substantial number of businesses. The Department's advisory council for fuel gas systems then reviewed these comparisons and agreed with these conclusions, and similarly assisted with developing the other changes for updating Comm 40. The members of that council represent the stakeholders involved in the fuel gas systems industry, and are members of the following organizations:

ANGI Energy Systems

City of Milwaukee

Cooperative Network

National Propane Gas Association

Wisconsin Agri-Service Association, Inc.

Wisconsin Crop Production Association

Wisconsin Propane Gas Association

Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.

Wisconsin Utilities Association, Inc.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact report

An economic impact report was not prepared or required under section 227.137 of the Statutes. Consideration of the potential effects on small business was based on guidelines produced by the federal Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. The advisory council described above did not identify any significant impacts relative to compliance with the proposed changes for updating chapter Comm 40.

Effect on Small Business

The proposed changes are not expected to impose significant costs or other impacts on a substantial number of businesses because the primary effect of the changes is to make chapter Comm 40 consistent with current regional and national standards for fuel gas systems, and with current industry and regulatory practices.

Initial regulatory flexibility analysis

1. Types of small businesses that will be affected by the rules.

Any business involved with the design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, repair or maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas systems, liquefied natural gas systems, compressed natural gas systems, gaseous hydrogen systems, or liquefied hydrogen systems, that are used for fueling purposes.

2. Reporting, bookkeeping and other procedures required for compliance with the rules.

The rules require submittal of some additional plan review information to the Department or a first class city, for any gas system that is newly required to have plan approval.

3. Types of professional skills necessary for compliance with the rules.

No new professional skills would be needed for compliance with these rules.

4. Rules have a significant economic impact on small businesses.

No - Rules not submitted to Small Business Regulatory Review Board

Any inquiries for the small business regulatory coordinator for the Department of Commerce can be directed to Sam Rockweiler, as listed above.

Environmental Impact

Notice is hereby given that the Department has considered the environmental impact of the proposed rules. In accordance with chapter Comm 1, the proposed rules are a Type III action. A Type III action normally does not have the potential to cause significant environmental effects and normally does not involve unresolved conflicts in the use of available resources. The Department has reviewed these rules and finds no reason to believe that any unusual conditions exist. At this time, the Department has issued this notice to serve as a finding of no significant impact.

Fiscal Estimate

State fiscal effect

None.

Local fiscal effect

None.

Long-range fiscal implications

None known or anticipated.

Assumptions used in arriving at fiscal estimate

The included changes to where Department-level plan approval and inspection is required should not significantly affect either state or local government costs or revenues.

The anticipated costs that may be incurred by the private sector in complying with any new requirements in the proposed rules are adequately described in the rule summary which immediately precedes the proposed rules.

Agency Contact Person

Sam Rockweiler, Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Division of Environmental and Regulatory Services, P.O. Box 14427, Madison, WI, 53708-0427; telephone [phone]; e-mail [e-mail] .

Notice of Hearing

Insurance

CR 10-149 , EmR1042

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the authority granted under section 601.41 (3) , Stats., and the procedures set forth in under sections 227.18 , and 227.24 (4) , Stats., OCI will hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of the attached proposed rulemaking order and the emergency rule published November 29, 2010, affecting section Ins 3.35 , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to colorectal cancer screening coverage and affecting small business.

Hearing Information

Date and Time:	Location:
January 25, 2011 Tuesday 9:30 am	OCI 2nd Floor, Room 227 125 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53703

Submittal of Written Comments

Written comments can be mailed to:

  Julie E. Walsh

  Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 605

  Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

  PO Box 7873

  Madison WI 53707-7873

Written comments can be hand delivered to:

  Julie E. Walsh

  Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 605

  Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

  125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor

  Madison WI 53703-3474

Comments can be emailed to:

  Julie E. Walsh

  [e-mail]

Comments submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rule Web site at: http://adminrules.wisconsin
.gov on the proposed rule will be considered.

The deadline for submitting comments is 4:00 p.m. on the 10 th day after the date for the hearing stated in this Notice of Hearing.

Copies of Proposed Rule

A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the OCI internet Web site at http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, Public Information and Communications, OCI, at: [e-mail] , [phone], 125 South Webster Street – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI or PO Box 7873, Madison WI 53707-7873.

Analysis Prepared by the Office fo the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI)

Statute(s) interpreted

Sections 600.01 , 628.34 (12) , 632.895 (16m) , Stats.

Statutory authority

Sections 600.01 (2) , 601.41 (3) , 601.42 , 628.34 (12) , 632.895 (16m) , Stats.

Explanation of agency authority

2009 Wis. Act 346 created s. 632.895 (16m) , Stats., and required the commissioner to promulgate rules that specify guidelines for the colorectal cancer screening that must be covered, specify the factors for determining whether an individual is at high risk for colorectal cancer and to update periodically the guidelines as medically appropriate.

Related statute(s) or rule(s)

None.

Plain language analysis

The proposed rule implements s. 632.895 (16m) , Stats., mandating coverage for colorectal cancer screening. For flexibility, the proposed rule allows insurers and self-insured governmental plans to select from among the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Cancer Society guidelines it will follow related to colorectal cancer screening intervals and specific screening tests or procedures. Insurers and self-insured governmental health plans are to inform enrollees of the guideline or guidelines they use and if they use more than one guideline, which guideline is primary if a dispute arises.

The proposed rule requires insurers and self-funded governmental plans to provide coverage of at least three of four identified screening tools: fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and computerized tomographic colonography. The determination for appropriate screening test or procedure is to be based upon medical necessity or medically appropriate basis and is eligible for internal and independent review.

Additionally, the proposed rule sets forth guidance on determination of persons at high risk for developing colorectal cancer. The proposed guidance is based upon the guidelines of the American Cancer Society as it is the only organization that has detailed standards for high risk categories and screening intervals. However, the rule does permit insurers to utilize additional criteria if the National Cancer Institute or the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force develops high risk criteria.

In light of federal health reform, the proposed rule requires insurers to comply with preventive services contained in the patient protection and affordable care act of 2010, PL 111-148 , as amended by the federal health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, P.L. 111-152 . Finally, insurers and self-insured governmental health plans are required to annually review the selected guidelines and comply with updates in the subsequent policy year.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations

The patient protection and affordable care act of 2010, PL 111-148 , as amended by the federal health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, P.L. 111-152 , ("ACA"), includes colorectal cancer screening as a covered preventive health service contained in the 45 CFR Subtitle A § 147.130 . However, the federal requirements for preventive health are not effective until January 1, 2014. The federal regulation addresses cost sharing limitations that insurers may impose when the service is a preventive health service that supersede the state's law when implemented in 2014. The federal regulations and the ACA are not as specific as s. 632.895 (16m) , Stats., and do not address high risk factors, therefore the state's law would not be preempted.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states

Illinois:

215ILCS5/356x Sec. 356x. Mandate provides coverage for colorectal cancer examination and screening in accordance with the published American Cancer Society guidelines. Illinois law also permits consideration of other existing colorectal cancer screening guidelines issued by nationally recognized professional medical societies or federal government agencies, including the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College of Gastroenterology. The Illinois mandate restricts insurers from imposing deductible, coinsurance, waiting period, or other cost-sharing limitations that is greater than that required for other coverage under the policy.

Iowa:

No similar law.

Michigan:

No similar law.

Minnesota:

Minnesota statutes section 62A.30 mandates coverage for accident and health insurance, health maintenance organizations excluding fixed indemnity and accident only policies. Every policy or plan must provide coverage of routine screening procedures for cancer and the office or facility visit. Among the cancer screenings listed colorectal cancer is included. Reference is made to include other proven ovarian cancer screening evaluated by the federal food and drug administration or the National Cancer Institute.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies

OCI surveyed insurers doing business in Wisconsin regarding coverage of screening tests and procedures for colorectal cancer and found that of the insurers surveyed, all insurers currently provide coverage for some form of colorectal cancer screening.

As to guidelines, OCI consulted with the department of health services, representatives and discussed the proposed rule with interested parties including the American Cancer Society, Wisconsin Radiological Society, Wisconsin Association of Health Plans and numerous providers. The guidelines utilized in the rule include not only the American Cancer Society but also National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business

There are no insurers that offer comprehensive health insurance that qualify as small businesses in accordance with s. 227.114 (1) , Wis. Stat. Intermediaries that solicit individual health insurance will be required to use the new form but since it is available at no cost from the office, the effect will be minimal.

Effect on Small Business

This rule will require intermediaries to learn about the colorectal cancer benefit but will not have a fiscal impact.

Initial regulatory flexibility analysis

Notice is hereby further given that pursuant to s. 227.114 , Stats., the proposed rule may have an effect on small businesses. The initial regulatory flexibility analysis is as follows:

a. Types of small businesses affected:

  Insurance agents, LSHO, Town Mutuals, Small Insurers.

b. Description of reporting and bookkeeping procedures required:

  Adds the option of electronically filing forms to the OCI and requires attestation of the Flesch score and tool used to determine the Flesch score. No other bookkeeping or reporting requirements other than are currently required.

c. Description of professional skills required:

  Some small businesses, not otherwise exempted by rule, will need to update the website to include information on how to request or access the insured's policy. Other than creating the notice, no other professional skills other than are currently required.

Small business regulatory coordinator

The OCI small business coordinator is Eileen Mallow and may be reached at phone number [phone] or at email address [e-mail] .

Fiscal Estimate

There will be no state or local government effect.

Private sector fiscal effect

There will be no significant fiscal effect on the private sector as the proposed rules add a benefit for consumers with little additional cost since most if not all insurers and self-funded governmental plans currently provide coverage.

Agency Contact Person

A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the Web site at: http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, OCI Services Section, at:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: 125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI

Mail: PO Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873

Notice of Hearing

Insurance

CR 10-150 , EmR1043

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the authority granted under section 601.41 (3) , Stats., and the procedures set forth in under sections 227.18 and 227.24 (4), Stat., OCI will hold a public hearing to consider the emergency rule and the adoption of the attached proposed permanent rulemaking order affecting sections Ins 3.37 and 3.375 , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to health insurance coverage of nervous and mental disorders and substance use disorders and affecting small business.

Hearing Information

Date and Time:	Location:
January 27, 2011 Thursday 1:00 pm	OCI 2nd Floor, Room 227 125 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53703

Submittal of Written Comments

Written comments can be mailed to:

  Julie E. Walsh

  Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 3375

  Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

  PO Box 7873

  Madison WI 53707-7873

Written comments can be hand delivered to:

  Julie E. Walsh

  Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 3375

  Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

  125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor

  Madison WI 53703-3474

Comments can be emailed to:

  Julie E. Walsh

  [e-mail]

Comments submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rule Web site at: http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov on the proposed rule will be considered.

The deadline for submitting comments is 4:00 p.m. on the 10 th day after the date for the hearing stated in this Notice of Hearing.

Copies of Proposed Rule

A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the OCI internet Web site at http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, Public Information and Communications, OCI, at: [e-mail] , [phone], 125 South Webster Street – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI or PO Box 7873, Madison WI 53707-7873.

Analysis Prepared by the Office fo the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI)

Statute(s) interpreted

Sections 600.01 , 628.34 (12) , and 632.89 , Stats.

Statutory authority

Sections 600.01 (2) , 601.41 (3) , 601.42 , 628.34 (12) , and 632.89 , Stats.

Explanation of agency authority

The commissioner is required to promulgate rules to implement recreated s. 632.89 , Stats., pursuant to s. 632.89 (4) (b) , Stats., ensuring that insurers offering group health benefit plans and self-funded governmental plans include as a covered benefit the treatment of nervous and mental disorders and substance use disorders. In addition s. 632.89 (4) (a) , Stats., requires the commissioner to promulgate rules relating to transitional treatment.

Related statute(s) or rule(s)

Section 609.71 , Stats., was also created by 2009 Wis. Act 218 requiring defined health plans comply with the requirements contained in s. 632.89 and s. Ins 3.37 , Wis. Admin. Code describe coverage for transitional treatment as required by s. 632.89 (4) (a) , Stats.

Plain language analysis

The proposed rule implements the recreated s. 632.89 , Stats., instituting mental health parity in the treatment of nervous and mental disorders and substance use disorders. The proposed rule amends regulations relating to transitional treatment coverage and creates a new section for implementing requirements for the coverage of nervous and mental disorders and substance use disorders.

The transitional treatment regulation is bifurcated into requirements for plans issued on or after November 1, 2007 and prior to December 1, 2010 and parallel numbered sections for polices issued on or after December 1, 2010. For existing policies or policies for which an employer has requested an exemption pursuant to s. 632.89 (3c) or (3f) , Stats., the requirements reflect s. 632.89 , 2007 Stats., and updated cites and provisions of regulations contained in the department of health services pertaining to transitional treatment.

For plans issued on or after December 1, 2010, parallel requirements are created within the proposed revisions to s. Ins 3.37 to apply to insurers offering group health insurance plans and for self-insured governmental plans on a going forward basis. The types of services are the same except for removal of minimum dollar limitations and the types of insurers or self-insured governmental plans to which the requirements apply.

Concerns were raised regarding compliance with the PPACA requirement of no annual limits for essential benefits and s. 632.89 (2) , 2007 Stat., benefit levels. The concerns were silenced after identifying that the s. 632.89 (2) , 2007 Stat., are written as "not less than" so act as benefit floors and do not preclude exceeding the floor amount therefore not volatile of the federal law.

The proposed rule also creates s. Ins 3.375 , Wis. Adm. Code, to implement s. 632.89 , Stats., for policies issued on or after December 1, 2010, that requires insurers offering group health insurance and self-insured governmental plans to provide coverage for the treatment of nervous and mental disorders and substance use disorders no more restrictively than coverage for the most common or frequent type of treatment limitations that are applied to substantially all other coverage under the plan. This means insurers and self-insured governmental plans cannot impose limited benefits or impose different cost-sharing provisions based upon receiving nervous, mental or substance use disorders treatment. The rule defines "substantially all" to mean that the terms of coverage for nervous, mental and substance use disorders is to be treated no more restrictively than a single type of financial requirements or quantitative treatment limitations that apply to two-thirds of covered medical or surgical benefits.

Pursuant to s. 632.89 (3c) , Stats., for employers seeking an exemption based upon increased costs related to the parity requirements, employers may request insurers to have a qualified actuary determine, at the insurer's cost, whether the employer is eligible for the exemption. Nothing in the rule, however, limits or prohibits an employer or self-funded governmental plan from obtaining, at their cost, a qualified actuarial determination.

Proposed s. Ins 3.375 (5) , contains provisions governing insurers offering individual health benefit plans that contain benefits for the treatment of nervous and mental disorders or substance use disorders. Insurers offering these individual health benefit plans shall make available the criteria for determining medical necessity and if the individual health benefit plan denies benefits related to nervous and mental disorders or substance use disorders it shall make the reason for the denial available to the insured, participant, or beneficiary in addition to complying with s. 632.857 , Stats.

For eligible employers electing an exemption, Appendix 1 and 2 contain the model notices that insurers are to provide to employers or self-insured governmental plans that the employer is to post and distribute to employees explaining the basis of the exemption as well as a list of the benefits that will be provided to the employees as was contained in s. 632.89 , 2007 Stats.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 ("MHPAEA"), was effective October 1, 2009 with interim final regulations published in February 2010. Wisconsin's 2009 Wis. Act 218 paralleled many provisions of the federal law in the statute and enhanced coverage benefits for Wisconsin consumers insured through small employers and covered by individual health benefit plans.

Additionally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, P.L. 111-148 , as amended by the Federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, P.L. 111-152 (jointly "PPACA"), identifies the treatment for mental health benefits and substance use disorders as an essential benefit that is to be contained in all health plans effective January 1, 2014. Further, as an essential benefit, as of September 23, 2010, insurers are to remove annual limits and phase out lifetime limitations over the next several years.

However, as of the date of this proposed rule, no specific federal guidance has been provided on how the MHPAEA and PPACA will be combined and what affect that combination will have on insurers and consumers. In the absence of such guidance, the commissioner's proposed rule does not interfere with an insurer's ability to comply with Wisconsin law, federal parity and federal health reform.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states

Illinois:

214 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann 5/370c, SB 1341, and HB 2190 provide minimum mandated benefits affecting group health policies having more than 50 enrolled employees. Covered conditions include serious mental illness, including pervasive developmental disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders. Benefits include a minimum of 45 inpatient days and 35 outpatient visits benefits for serious mental illness; other mental health conditions may be subject to 50% co-pays and the lesser of the annual limit of $10,000.00 or 25% of the lifetime policy limit. Mental illness resulting from the use of controlled substances or cannabis and addictions to controlled substances and cannabis are not required to be covered.

Iowa:

Iowa code 514c.22 and HF420 provide minimum mandated benefits affecting group health policies having more than 50 enrolled employees. There is a 50-employee exemption if no coverage of mental illness is provided. Serious mental illness including pervasive developmental disorders and autistic disorders are covered; the minimum benefits include 30 inpatient days and 52 outpatient visits per plan year.

Michigan:

SB 1209/Act 252 provides a minimum mandated benefit affecting Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) that covers broad-based mental health disorders and substance use disorders. Minimum coverage levels include a 3% cost exemption and no fewer than 20 outpatient mental health visits per plan year.

Minnesota:

Minn. Stat. Sec. 62A.152, Minn. Stat. Sec. 62Q.47, and SB 845 provide comprehensive parity for HMOs and Community Integrated Service Networks. Benefits are mandated if offered for individual and group policies. Broad-based mental health disorders and substance use disorders are covered at minimum coverage levels.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies

The commissioner appointed a 20-member advisory council that met two times to discuss implementation advice to the commissioner on the parity law, content and delivery of notices to employees and components of the actuarial study. The council membership includes Sen. Hansen and Rep. Pasch, the sponsors of Wisconsin's law as well as representatives from the insurance industry, mental health and hospital providers, consumer mental health and substance use disorder advocates, large and small businesses. The commissioner's staff also met with the Department of Health Services to ensure citations and coverage description reflects current transitional treatment provisions and updated regulations. The proposed rule reflects the results of the council's deliberations and advice.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business

Upon review of insurers affected by the regulation, the office identified no small businesses that would be affected by the regulation.

Effect on Small Business

No significant effect will be imposed on regulated small businesses. No additional technology requirements are necessary to comply with the regulation.

Initial regulatory flexibility analysis

Pursuant to s. 227.14(2g) , Stats., the proposed rule may have a significant economic impact on small businesses.

Small business regulatory coordinator

The OCI small business coordinator is Eileen Mallow and may be reached at phone number [phone] or at email address [e-mail] .

Fiscal Estimate

There will be no state or local government fiscal effect.

Private sector fiscal effect

This rule change will have no significant effect on the private sector regulated by OCI.

Agency Contact Person

A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the Web site at: http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, OCI Services Section, at:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: 125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI

Mail: PO Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873

Notice of Hearing

Insurance

CR 10-151

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the authority granted under section 601.41 (3) , Stats., and the procedures set forth in under section 227.18 , Stats., OCI will hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of the attached proposed rulemaking order affecting sections Ins 2.18 , 7.02 , 7.04 , 28.06 , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to life settlements and affecting small business.

Hearing Information

Date and Time:	Location:
March 17, 2011 Thursday 10:00am	OCI 2nd Floor, Room 227 125 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53703

Submittal of Written Comments

Written comments can be mailed to:

  James W. Harris

  Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins

  Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

  PO Box 7873

  Madison WI 53707-7873

Written comments can be hand delivered to:

  James W. Harris

  Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins

  Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

  125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor

  Madison WI 53703-3474

Comments can be emailed to:

  James W. Harris

  [e-mail]

Comments submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rule Web site at: http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov on the proposed rule will be considered.

The deadline for submitting comments is 4:00 p.m. on the 14 th day after the date for the hearing stated in this Notice of Hearing.

Copies of Proposed Rule

A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the OCI internet Web site at http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, Public Information and Communications, OCI, at: [e-mail] , [phone], 125 South Webster Street – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI or PO Box 7873, Madison WI 53707-7873.

Analysis Prepared by the Office fo the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI)

Statute(s) interpreted

Sections 600.01 , 632.69 , Stats.

Statutory authority

Sections 600.01 (2) , 601.41 (3) , 601.42 (3) , 628.34 , 628.38 , 631.20 , 631.23 and 632.69 , Stats.

Explanation of agency authority

2009 Wisconsin Act 344 created s. 632.69 , Stats., replacing Wisconsin's viatical settlement statute with comprehensive regulation of life settlement transactions. The statute replaces licensing requirements for brokers and providers and establishes pre-licensing and continuing education standards. The statute provides the commissioner with authority to adopt rules implementing and administering the law including appropriate licensing requirements and standards for continuing licensure for providers and brokers, financial accountability for providers and brokers, and the adoption of rules governing the relationship and responsibilities of insurers, providers and brokers during settlement of a life insurance policy.

Related statute(s) or rule(s)

See the statutes interpreted in paragraph 1, above.

Plain language analysis

The proposed rule will assist in implementation of the requirements of s. 632.69 , Stat. including those provisions relating to licensure, training, disclosures, reporting, examinations and conduct of licensees. The proposed rule sets forth initial and renewal license application deadlines, fees and requirements, including financial accountability, training, and information to be submitted. The rule lists criteria that may be used in assessing qualification of an applicant for licensure. The proposed rule provides for notification to the commissioner of administrative actions, criminal proceedings and lawsuits that may affect licensure, and reporting of cessation of business activity or change of business address or location of business records. The proposed rule provides detail for fulfilling the form filing and approval requirements of s. 632.69 (5) , Stat. as well as providing formats for notices to policyholders, owners and purchasers. The proposed rule incorporates license application forms in to ch. Ins 7 , Wis. Adm. Code, and add certain categories of approved training to s. Ins 28.06 , Wis. Adm. Code.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations

There are no federal regulations which are intended to address life settlement activities to be regulated by the proposed rule.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states

Illinois:

215 ILCS 159/1, et. Seq., effective 7/01/2010, amended Illinois viatical settlement law. To date there has been no formal adoption of language similar to the proposed rule.

Iowa:

IAC 191-48, effective 4/03/2009, contains provisions for viatical and life settlements comparable to the proposed rule.

Michigan:

Michigan General Insurance Laws, Chapter 550 contains viatical settlement contract regulations. To date there has been no formal adoption of language similar to the proposed rule.

Minnesota:

Minnesota Laws, Chapter 60A.957, et. Seq., effective 8/01/2009, contains viatical settlement contract regulations. To date there has been no formal adoption of language similar to the proposed rule.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies

The proposed rule is based upon reference to a model regulation and analysis of the proposed provisions by a working group consisting of representatives of the insurance industry, the life settlement industry, an institutional investment group, life insurance agents, regulators and consumer and senior interest associations. The proposed rule will address regulatory needs of the expanding life settlement industry, add procedures for administrative oversight of licensees operating within the state and provide important disclosures to consumers.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business

The proposed rule continues, and expands existing licensing, reporting and disclosure requirements relating to viatical settlements and life settlements. The rule should have little effect on small businesses.

Effect on Small Business

This rule will have little or no effect on small businesses.

Initial regulatory flexibility analysis

Notice is hereby further given that pursuant to s. 227.114 , Stats., the proposed rule may have an effect on small businesses. The initial regulatory flexibility analysis is as follows:

a. Types of small businesses affected:

  Insurance agents, Small Agencies

b. Description of reporting and bookkeeping procedures required:

  None beyond those currently required.

c. Description of professional skills required:

  None beyond those currently required.

Small business regulatory coordinator

The OCI small business coordinator is Eileen Mallow and may be reached at phone number [phone] or at email address [e-mail] .

Fiscal Estimate

There will be no state or local government fiscal effect.

Private sector fiscal analysis

This rule will have no significant effect on the private sector regulated by OCI.

Agency Contact Person

A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the Web site at: http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm or by contacting Inger Williams, OCI Services Section, at:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: 125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI

Mail: PO Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873

Notice of Hearing

Public Service Commission

CR 10-147

(PSC # 1-AC-234)

NOTICE IS GIVEN that pursuant to section 227.16 (2) (b) , Stats., the commission will hold a public hearing on proposed revisions to Chapter PSC 118 , relating to renewable resource credits.

Hearing Information

Date and Time:	Location:
February 15, 2011 Tuesday 9:30am-11:30am	Public Service Commission 610 North Whitney Way Madison, WI 53705

This building is accessible to people in wheelchairs through the Whitney Way (lobby) entrance. Handicapped parking is available on the south side of the building.

The commission does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the provision of programs, services, or employment. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations to participate in this proceeding or who needs to get this document in a different format should contact the Docket Coordinator, as indicated in the previous paragraph, as soon as possible.

Submittal of Written Comments

Any person may submit written comments on these proposed rules. The hearing record will be open for written comments from the public, effective immediately, and until March 1, 2011, at noon ( February 28, 2011, at noon, if filed by fax). All written comments must include a reference on the filing to docket 1-AC-234. File by one mode only.

Industry:

File comments using the Electronic Regulatory Filing system. This may be accessed from the commission's website, www.psc.wi.gov .

Members of the Public:

If filing electronically: Use the Public Comments system or the Electronic Regulatory Filing system. Both of these may be accessed from the commission's website, www.psc.wi.gov .

If filing by mail, courier, or hand delivery: Address as shown in the box below.

If filing by fax: Send fax comments to [phone]. Fax filing cover sheet MUST state "Official Filing," the docket number 1-AC-234, and the number of pages (limited to 25 pages for fax comments).

Analysis Prepared by the Public Service Commission

Agency authority and explanation of agency authority

This rule is authorized under ss. 196.02 (1) and (3) , 196.378 (3 ) (a) 1., and 196.378 (3) (a) 1m., and 227.11, Stats.

Section 227.11 , Stats., authorizes agencies to promulgate administrative rules. Section196.02 (1), Stats., authorizes the commission to do all things necessary and convenient to its jurisdiction. Section 196.02 (3) , Stats., grants the commission specific authority to promulgate rules. Section 196.378 (3) (a) 1. , Stats., grants the commission specific authority to promulgate rules that establish requirements for the creation and use of a renewable resource credit on or after January 1, 2004. Section 196.378 (3) (a) 1m. , Stats., grants the commission specific authority to promulgate rules that allow an electric provider to create a renewable resource credit based on use in a year by the electric provider, or a customer or member of the electric provider.

Statutes interpreted

This rule interprets ss. 196.378 (1) (h) 1. h. to j. and (i) and (3) (a) 1. and 1m. and (c) , Stats. These statutes deal with the creation, sale, calculation and tracking of renewable resource credits, and specify the manner for aggregating or allocating renewable resource credits.

Related statute(s) or rule(s)

Section 196.374 , Stats., defines the term "renewable resource," and deals with energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. Section 196.377 , Stats., deals with the promotion of renewable energy sources. Section 196.378 , Stats., provides definitions for certain renewable resources that are included in this rule.

Brief summary of rule

2009 Wisconsin Act 406 establishes statewide criteria for the creation of renewable resource credits (RRCs) by electric providers, and the inclusion of certain resources that generate electric power from certain fuel, synthetic gas, or densified fuel pellets in the renewable portfolio standard.

This rule creates definitions for biogas, displaced conventional electricity, non-electric facility, pyrolysis, solar light pipe, solar water heater and synthetic gas, and refines existing definitions to prevent ambiguity. This rule also describes when certain RRCs are considered created and used, and which facilities are eligible for creating RRCs, even in instances where the RRC is created from a renewable resource not produced on site.

Under this rule, an RRC may be created by the displacement of conventional electricity caused by the use of a non-electric facility under certain circumstances. For example, a building with solar light pipes, i.e., a non-electric facility as defined by this rule, displaces conventional electricity and this displacement creates an RRC that can be used by the electric provider or by a customer or member of the electric provider. This rule provides greater detail describing when and how this can be done.

Displaced conventional electricity is calculated by taking the annual average mix of resources used to generate electricity in the entire area served by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator. Alternatively, displaced conventional electricity may be calculated by establishing a different percentage for a specific type of non-electric facility if its seasonal or diurnal operating characteristics justify a percentage that differs from the annual average percentage. Electric providers or users of a non-electric facility must determine the net amount of electricity displaced by using methodologies outlined under proposed Wis. Admin. Code § 118.09 (3) (a) .

Lastly, this rule provides a procedure for the certification and registration of renewable and non-electric facilities that can issue an RRC; a means of tracking RRCs that have been created, retired or expired; and permits the aggregation and allocation of RRCs by wholesale suppliers.

Comparison with existing or proposed federal regulations

No federal renewable portfolio standard (RPS) exists at this time. Several legislative proposals to establish a federal "renewable electricity standard" have been submitted within the last year. Two have been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the third has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 576).

Two of the three federal legislative proposals establish a minimum annual percentage of the base quantity of electricity that an electric utility sells to electric consumers; one proposal calls for a minimum of 15% by 2021 and the other calls for a minimum of 25% by 2025. The third proposal does not specify a minimum annual percentage to be achieved. The proposed federal regulations include many of the same kinds of renewable resources as does this rule, e.g., biogas, biomass, solar, and wind.

Two of the proposed federal regulations address the issuance of renewable energy credits (RECs), direct the U.S. Secretary of Energy (Secretary) to establish a means to administer RECs and promulgate regulations regarding the measurement and verification of electricity savings. Under these proposals, the Secretary may delegate REC-tracking to a national, state or local entity. One REC is worth one kilowatt hour under the proposed regulations.

Comparison with rules in adjacent states

Like Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota have adopted renewable portfolio standard (RPS) mandates. Iowa, however, has not adopted an RPS mandate.

Illinois:

Illinois has promulgated rules addressing compliance with and reporting requirements for its RPS. In Illinois, investor-owned utilities (IOUs) that sell outside their service territories to comply with the RPS 1 and alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES) are required to comply with the RPS. Municipal and cooperative utilities are exempt from the RPS. The Illinois RPS requires that renewable resources provide 25% of the overall standard retail electric sales by 2024-2025.

1 Also referred to as ARES in these situations.

For IOUs, wind power must provide a minimum of 75% of the renewable energy and the remaining 25% may come from other eligible renewable resources. ARES must obtain a minimum of 60% of their renewable energy from wind power; the remaining 40% may come from other eligible renewable resources. IOUs and ARES may procure their renewable energy either through energy bundled with renewable energy credits or through the purchase of tradable renewable energy credits on their own. Utilities must retire credits that they use for compliance.

Through 2011, utilities must procure the renewable resources in Illinois. If it is not cost-effective to procure in-state eligible resources, utilities may procure these resources from adjoining states. Utilities may, as a last resort, procure resources from other regions of the country if resources from adjoining states are not cost-effective. After 2011, equal preference is given to in-state resources and adjoining states. IOUs and ARES must submit an annual compliance report by September 1 of each year.

Iowa:

Iowa adopted its alternate energy production (AEP) requirements prior to widespread use of energy-based RPSs in other states. Iowa's AEP differs from an RPS in that the AEP is capacity-based and relates to specific AEP facilities, either owned or contracted by utilities, rather than being an energy-based portfolio requirement. At this time, only two Iowa utilities – Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) – are required by the AEP statutes to own or purchase their share of alternate energy from AEP production facilities or small hydro facilities for a combined total of 105 megawatts. IPL currently fulfills its entire obligation with wind, while MidAmerican fulfills its obligation with wind and a small amount of biogas capacity.

Michigan:

Michigan has an RPS, and while it has not promulgated any rules or issued any technical guidance document outlining the implementation of its mandates, it has begun the process of developing a system to address compliance and REC tracking. The state's renewable energy certification system, MIRECS 2 , was developed by APX, Inc., which also developed the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System (M-RETS) used by Wisconsin. MIRECS will track all relevant information about renewable energy produced and delivered in Michigan. APX, Inc., designed MIRECS so that it would integrate with M-RETS and the North American Renewables Registry to provide for import and export of certificates across renewable energy markets. Additionally, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has hired an auditor who will be responsible for performing inspections of renewable energy facilities to ensure compliance.

2 MIRECS stands for "Michigan Renewable Energy Certification System."

Under Michigan's RPS, IOUs, rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and retail suppliers must have 10% of their electricity come from eligible renewable resources by 2015. As the state's two largest IOUs, Detroit Edison Company (DTC) and Consumers Energy (Consumers) have additional obligations beyond those of other utilities. DTC must procure 300 megawatts of new renewable resources by 2013 and 600 megawatts of new renewable resources by 2015. Consumers must procure 200 megawatts of new renewable resources by 2013 and 500 megawatts of new renewable resources by 2015.

Utilities may achieve compliance with the RPS by purchasing RECs. Up to 50% of the RPS may be met with RECs produced by utility-owned facilities. A REC has a three-year lifetime from the end of the month it was generated. The MPSC requires utilities to submit affidavits and a renewable energy plan to verify compliance on a biennial basis.

Minnesota:

Minnesota has not promulgated any rules or issued any technical guidance document outlining the implementation of its RPS mandates; however, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has an open docket to address implementation issues that have not been fully addressed in previous dockets or that are due to changes in national, state or M-RETS policies and protocols. Only renewable energy credits (RECs) recorded and tracked by M-RETS may be used for compliance with the RPS. Xcel Energy, public utilities providing electric service, generation and transmission cooperative electric associations, municipal power agencies and power districts operating in the state are subject to the RPS mandates.

Under Minnesota's RPS, the standard for Xcel Energy requires that eligible renewable electricity account for 30% of total retail electricity sales, including sales to retail customers of a distribution utility to which Xcel Energy provides wholesale service, in Minnesota by 2020. Xcel must procure a minimum of 24% of its eligible renewable electricity from wind, solar may contribute up to 1%, and the remaining 5% may be generated from other eligible technologies to meet the 2020 standard. Other utilities must obtain 25% of their electricity from eligible renewable electricity by 2020 to meet the RPS, and are not subject to requirements that specify percentages for particular types of renewable resources.

Presently, Minnesota places the burden on its utilities to carry out the RPS mandates. Utilities must report when they retire their RECs and submit a biennial report to the PUC that provides information on retail sales, REC retirements and REC trading activities.

Effect on Small Business

This rulemaking will not negatively affect small businesses. It may benefit small businesses that own or sell the technologies that this rulemaking makes eligible for renewable resource credits or allow small business who use renewable resources to create RRCs that can then be sold to electric providers.

Initial regulatory flexibility analysis

The proposed rule will have no negative impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.11 (1) , Stats. The proposed rule may have a beneficial impact for small businesses in either of two ways.

1) The proposed rule establishes new ways for Wisconsin electric providers to create renewable resource credits (RRCs), in addition to all of the existing ways in the current rule. RRCs can be used to comply with Wisconsin's Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) mandate. By giving electric providers new options for creating RRCs, but not requiring the use of those options, the costs of complying with the RPS mandate may decrease. Electric providers are authorized to recover their RPS compliance costs in the rates they charge customers and members. Thus, if an electric provider's RPS compliance costs are reduced, their customers or members (including small businesses) may indirectly benefit through reduced electric rates.

2) The proposed rule also makes it possible for a small business (or any other customer or member of an electric provider) to benefit more directly, if the business is using a qualifying technology or resource to produce non-electric energy. In such circumstances, the proposed rule allows the electric provider to create RRCs based on energy produced by the small business, but only with the permission of the small business. A small business could request compensation from the electric provider in exchange for granting permission to create those RRCs.

This rulemaking will affect electric generating utilities (EGUs). Because of Wisconsin's Renewable Portfolio Standards mandate, renewable resources must account for a certain percentage of an EGU's electricity generation. This proposed rule expands the types of renewable resources that may be used to create RRCs, thus making it easier for an EGU to meet the RPS requirements.

Fiscal Estimate

State fiscal effect

No state fiscal effect.

Local fiscal effect

No local government costs.

Fund sources affected

PRO.

Affected Chapter 20 Appropriations

20.155 (g)

Assumptions used in arriving at fiscal estimate

State Fiscal Effects

There are no estimated state fiscal effects from the proposed changes to the Renewable Resource Credit Trading Program rule (PSC 118).

The proposed changes to PSC 118 mainly implement changes to state statute enacted under 2009 Wisconsin Act 406 . The proposed rule revises the definition of a renewable resource credit to allow electric providers to use additional credits to meet minimum renewable percentage requirements under 196.378 (2) (a). The proposed rule allows electric providers to create renewable resource credits from the electric providers' use and/or their customers' or members' use of solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass, biogas, synthetic gas created by the plasma gasification of waste, densified fuel pellets, and fuel produced by pyrolysis of organic or waste material, if these sources displace electricity from conventional energy sources, as per Act 406. The revised rule specifies how these new sources will be certified by the Commission, how credits from these sources will be calculated, and that displacement of conventional energy by these sources could be verified through an audit. Verification of displacement through a potential audit is consistent with the verification processes in existing rule for existing renewable sources.

In addition to revisions relating to Act 406, revisions to PSC 118 allow the Commission to collaborate with other states to purchase, as a group, program administrator services for tracking renewable resource credits. The proposed rule provides the Commission the option to either contract for a program administrator through a standard competitive procurement, or to access program administration services through participation in a regional renewable energy tracking system group, such as Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, Inc. Additional revisions to PSC 118 clarify existing code language where ambiguity or unintended consequences in the original language have been identified.

The revised rule is not anticipated to have a state fiscal effect because revisions to PSC 118 are not anticipated to change state staff workload or program administrator costs. State staff workload does not change due to the revised rule because the rule does not add program requirements above those established under Act 406. Program administrator costs are not anticipated to change because the new option of accessing program administration services through participation in a regional group is not anticipated to decrease program costs. The complexity needed in a contract to administer either a statewide renewable resource credit trading program or a regional program is unlikely to reduce any one state's share of administration costs under a group. The rule also allows the Commission to procure for administrative services through a competitive procurement; so if costs for administrative services under the group are more costly than those anticipated through a standard procurement, the Commission has the option to use the standard procurement and avoid additional costs. Therefore, the revised rule is not anticipated to have a state fiscal effect.

Local Fiscal Effects

There are no estimated local fiscal effects from the proposed changes to PSC 118. Local governments can be electric providers and are subject to the rule, but the rule does not establish new requirements; it only provides direction to operators on how to comply with current state statutes. Therefore, the revised rule is not estimated to have a local fiscal effect.

Fiscal Effect for Electric Providers and Small Businesses

There is no estimated fiscal effect for electric providers. Electric providers are already subject to the state statutes the proposed rule implements. The rule does not add requirements; it only provides direction to operators on how to comply with current state statutes. Small Businesses are also unlikely to experience a fiscal effect under this rule as it is consistent with state statutes. The rule does not change the opportunities provided under Act 406 for small businesses to sell renewable resource credits to utilities. Therefore, the revised rule is not estimated to have a fiscal effect to electric providers or small businesses.

Long-range fiscal implications

Costs to administer a renewable resource credit trading program could be reduced in the long term, under this rule, because it includes an option allowing the Commission to contract for administrative services through a regional renewable resource credit trading program group. If the regional group can implement a regional renewable resource credit trading program that is more streamlined than the current Wisconsin system, and if the Commission can pool its contracting resources with other states in the group, then it is possible that, by contracting through the group for a more streamlined program, administrative service costs will decrease.

Text of Proposed Rule

SECTION 1. PSC 118.02 (1) is renumbered 118.02 (1r) and amended to read:

PSC 118.02 (1r) "Certified renewable facility" means an electric generating facility that the commission certifies has met the definition of a renewable facility under s. PSC 118.05 .

SECTION 2. PSC 118.02 (1) and (1g) are created to read:

118.02 (1) "Biogas" means a gas created by the anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biomass, food processing waste or discarded food.

(1g) "Certified non-electric facility" means a non-electric facility that the commission certifies under s. PSC 118.055 .

SECTION 3. PSC 118.02 (2) is amended to read:

PSC 118.02 (2) "Compliance period" means a calendar year, beginning January 1, during which an electric provider is required to deliver achieve a renewable energy percentage under

s. 196.378 (2) (a) , Stats.

SECTION 4. PSC 118.02 (3m) is created to read:

PSC 118.02 (3m) "Densified fuel pellets" means pellets made from waste material that does not include garbage, as defined in s. 289.01 (9) , Stats., and that contains no more than 30 percent fixed carbon.

SECTION 5. PSC 118.02 (4) is amended to read:

PSC 118.02 (4) "Designated representative" means the person authorized by the electric provider to register a renewable facility or non-electric facility with the program administrator, or to purchase or sell RRCs.

SECTION 6. PSC 118.02 (5), (5g) and (5r) are created to read:

PSC 118.02 (5) "Displaced conventional electricity" means electricity derived from conventional resources that an electric provider or a customer or member of the electric provider would have used except that the person used instead a certified non-electric facility that meets the requirements of ss. PSC 118.03 and 118.04 .

(5g) "Division administrator" means the administrator of the commission's gas and energy division.

(5r) "Geothermal heating and cooling installation" means a ground source heat pump.

SECTION 7. PSC 118.02 (6) is amended to read:

PSC 118.02 (6) "MWh" means megawatt-hour of electricity .

SECTION 8. PSC 118.02 (6m) and (7m) are created to read:

PSC 118.02 (6m) "Non-electric facility" means any of the following when used by an electric provider or by a customer or member of the electric provider:

(a) A solar water heater.

(b) A solar light pipe.

(c) A geothermal heating and cooling installation.

(d) An installation generating thermal output from biomass, biogas, synthetic gas, densified fuel pellets, or fuel produced by pyrolysis.

(e) Any other installation specified by the commission.

(7m) "Pyrolysis" means an industrial process that heats organic or waste material under pressure in an oxygen-starved environment to break the material down into gases, liquid and solid residues.

SECTION 9. PSC 118.02 (10) is renumbered 118.02 (10) (intro.), and amended to read:

PSC 118.02 (10) (intro.) "Renewable resource credit" means one MWh of renewable energy from a certified renewable facility that is physically metered with the net generation measured at the certified renewable facility's bus bar, that is delivered to a retail customer with the retail sale measured at the customer's meter, that ignores the transmission and distribution losses between the bus bar and the customer's meter, that exceeds the minimum percentage requirement specified in s. 196.378 (2) (a), Stats., and that meets the requirements of ss. PSC 118.03 and 118.04. either of the following:

SECTION 10. PSC 118.02 (10) (a) and (b) are created to read:

PSC 118.02 (10) (a) One MWh of renewable energy from a certified renewable facility that meets each of the following requirements:

1. It is physically metered with the net generation measured at the certified renewable facility's bus bar.

2. It is delivered to a retail customer with the retail sale measured at the customer's meter.

3. It ignores the transmission and distribution losses between the bus bar and the customer's meter.

4. It exceeds the minimum percentage requirement specified in s. 196.378 (2) (a) , Stats.

5. It meets the requirements of ss. PSC 118.03 and 118.04 .

(b) One MWh of displaced conventional electricity, as calculated under s. PSC 118.09 .

SECTION 11. PSC 118.02 (14) to (16) are created to read:

PSC 118.02 (14) "Solar light pipe" means a device that concentrates and transmits sunlight through a roof to an interior space, employing highly-reflective material inside the device to focus and direct the maximum available sunlight to the interior space.

(15) "Solar water heater" means a device that concentrates and collects solar radiation to heat water for domestic use, pool heating, space heating, or ventilation air heating.

(16) "Synthetic gas" means gas created by the plasma gasification of waste.

SECTION 12. PSC 118.025 is created to read:

PSC 118.025 Renewable resource designation. Biogas is a renewable resource under s. 196.378 (1) (h) 2. , Stats.

SECTION 13. PSC 118.03 (1) (intro.) and (a) are amended to read:

PSC 118.03 (1) (intro.) An electric provider may create an RRC for renewable energy only if the renewable facility that is the source of the electric provider's renewable energy meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The energy output of the renewable faility is physically metered and the accuracy of the metering is subject to verification by the program administrator or the commission .

SECTION 14. PSC 118.03 (2) is created to read:

PSC 118.03 (2) An electric provider may create an RRC for conventional electricity displaced by the use of a non-electric facility only if the non-electric facility meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The non-electric facility registers with, and is certified by, the commission under s. PSC 118.055 .

(b) The non-electric facility was placed in service on or after June 3, 2010.

(c) The non-electric facility will replace or reduce the use of an electric device used at the same location for the same purpose as the non-electric facility.

(d) Any other condition established by the commission.

SECTION 15. PSC 118.03 (3) (b) is renumbered PSC 118.03 (3) and is amended to read:

PSC 118.03 (3) An electric provider may only use the renewable portion of a biomass co-fired facility's energy production the production from a facility using both a renewable and conventional fuel , based on the relative energy content of the fuels, to create RRCs in the applicable reporting period.

SECTION 16. PSC 118.03 (4) is created to read:

PSC 118.03 (4) (a) An electric provider may create RRCs for a facility that has contracted with a producer of biogas, gas from pyrolysis, or synthetic gas for ownership of the gas and that has sufficient contracts to deliver the gas to the facility, according to the resulting number of MWh that the facility generates or the amount of conventional electricity that the facility displaces.

(b) An electric provider may create an RRC for a facility that satisfies par. (a) if the electric provider demonstrates all of the following:

1. The gas producer meters the amount of gas delivered, using metering devices that comply with ss. PSC 134.27 and 134.28 .

2. The gas producer measures the heat content of the gas at least monthly.

3. The facility complies with sub. (1) or (2).

SECTION 17. PSC 118.04 (1) is created to read:

PSC 118.04 (1) For purposes of determining how long an RRC is eligible to be used to meet an electric provider's minimum percentage requirement under s. 196.378 (2) (a) , Stats.:

(a) An RRC under s. PSC 118.02 (10) (a) is created when the renewable facility generates the renewable energy.

(b) An RRC under s. PSC 118.02 (10) (b) is created on December 31 of the year in which the use of the certified non-electric facility displaces conventional electricity.

(c) An RRC is used in the compliance period for which it is retired, regardless of the date on which the RRC is retired in the RRC tracking program.

SECTION 18. PSC 118.04 (2) (e) and (g) 2. are amended to read:

PSC 118.04 (2) (e) Renewable energy or displaced conventional electricity that would meet the definition of an RRC under s. PSC 118.02 (10) , except that it consists of less than one MWh, shall constitute a fraction of an RRC. A fractional RRC may not be smaller than 0.01 MWh.

(g) 2. An RRC created Renewable energy generated on or after January 1, 2004, but produced by a renewable facility that was placed into service before January 1, 2004, may only be sold or used to meet an electric provider's minimum percentage requirement under s. 196.378 (2) (a), Stats., if the RRC used to create an RRC if the renewable energy constituted an incremental increase in output from the renewable facility due to capacity improvements that were made on or after January 1, 2004, as provided in s. 196.378 (3) (a) 2. , Stats. The RRCs described in this subdivision may not be used after the fourth year after the year in which the credit is created, as provided in s. 196.378 (3) (c) , Stats. If the renewable facility was originally constructed prior to January 1, 2004, but is entirely replaced with a new and more efficient facility, all of the output from the new facility constitutes an incremental increase and can be used to create RRCs.

EXAMPLE: If the renewable facility was originally constructed prior to January 1, 2004, but is entirely replaced with a new and more efficient facility, all of the output from the new facility constitutes an incremental increase and can be used to create RRCs.

SECTION 19. PSC 118.04 (2) (g) 4. is created to read:

PSC 118.04 (2) (g) 4. An RRC created for displaced conventional electricity may be sold or used to meet an electric provider's minimum percentage requirement under s. 196.378 (2) (a) , Stats. The RRCs described in this subdivision may not be used after the fourth year after the year in which the credit is created, as provided in s. 196.378 (3) (c) , Stats.

SECTION 20 . PSC 118.04 (5) is amended to read:

PSC 118.04 (5) Subject to commission approval, the program administrator may establish any procedure necessary to ensure that accurately record the creation, sale, transfer, purchase and retirement of RRCs are accurately recorded .

SECTION 21. PSC 118.05 (1) is amended to read:

PSC 118.05 (1) (a) An Except as provided in s. PSC 118.055 , an electric provider may only use the energy of a certified renewable facility for creation of an RRC. The commission shall certify renewable facilities or delegate this responsibility to the program administrator. Any electric provider or owner of a renewable facility that is adversely affected by the program administrator's decision to certify or not certify may protest to the commission. Such a protest shall be served in writing on the division administrator within 10 working days after the adversely affected person has received notice of the program administrator's service of the decision. The division administrator may settle and resolve protests brought under this paragraph. If the protest cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, the division administrator shall issue a written decision. Any person adversely affected by the division administrator's written decision may, within 20 working days after its issuance, appeal the decision to the commission by alleging facts that show a violation of a particular statute or provision of this chapter.

(b) The program administrator may not issue an RRC under s. PSC 118.03 (1) before the date that a renewable facility is certified, but the program administrator may issue an RRC for energy that a certified renewable facility produced subsequent to the date it delivered its request for certification.

SECTION 22. PSC 118.055 is created to read:

PSC 118.055 Certification of non-electric facilities. (1) (a) An electric provider may create an RRC under s. PSC 118.03 (2) based on the use of a certified non-electric facility by the electric provider, or by a customer or member of the electric provider, to the extent that the use displaces conventional electricity. The commission shall certify non-electric facilities or delegate this responsibility to the program administrator. Any electric provider or owner of a non-electric facility adversely affected by the decision to certify or not certify may protest to the commission. Such a protest shall be served in writing on the division administrator within 10 working days after service of the decision. The division administrator may settle and resolve protests brought under this paragraph. If the protest cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, the division administrator shall issue a written decision. Any person adversely affected by the division administrator's written decision may, within 20 working days after its issuance, appeal the decision to the commission by alleging facts that show a violation of a particular statute or provision of this chapter.

(b) The program administrator may not issue an RRC for conventional electricity displaced by use of a non-electric facility before the date that the facility is certified, but the program administrator may issue an RRC for displaced conventional electricity subsequent to the date that a certified non-electric facility delivers its request for certification.

(2) To obtain certification of a non-electric facility, the electric provider, or a designated representative, shall provide the following information to the commission in a format approved by the commission:

(a) The non-electric facility's location, owner, technology, and date placed in service.

(b) Information that demonstrates the non-electric facility meets the eligibility criteria under s. PSC 118.03 .

(c) The estimated annual amount of displaced conventional electricity and information supporting this estimate.

(d) Any other information the commission determines to be necessary.

(e) The electric provider's affirmation that it has verified all of the information in pars. (a) to (d).

(f) If the electric provider does not own the non-electric facility, a statement signed by the facility owner that affirms the information in pars. (a) to (d) and permits the electric provider to create RRCs from the facility.

(3) The commission or the program administrator shall inform the electric provider, or its designated representative, whether it has certified a non-electric facility for which it has received an application under sub. (2).

(4) The commission may make on-site visits to any certified unit of a non-electric facility to determine its compliance with this chapter and with s. 196.378 , Stats., may request copies of all supporting documentation used to comply with this section, and may decertify any unit that it finds not to be in compliance.

(5) Nothing in these rules obligates the owner of a non-electric facility to permit the electric provider to create RRCs from the facility.

SECTION 23. PSC 118.06 (1) is amended to read:

PSC 118.06 (1) The commission shall , using a competitive process, contract with a program administrator who shall operate either a statewide or a regional RRC tracking program. do one of the following:

SECTION 24. PSC 118.06 (1) (a) and (b) are created to read:

PSC 118.06 (1) (a) Using a competitive process, contract with a program administrator who shall operate either a statewide or a regional RRC tracking program.

(b) Participate in a regional organization that contracts with a program administrator who shall operate a statewide or regional RRC tracking program.

SECTION 25. PSC 118.06 (2) (b) and (c) (intro.) are amended to read:

PSC 118.06 (2) (b) Create an account for each certified renewable facility or certified non-electric facility that participates in the tracking program and requests a separate account .

(c) (intro.) Register Upon request, register each renewable facility the commission has certified, including the following data about the facility:

SECTION 26. PSC 118.06 (2) (cm) and (d) 1m. are created to read:

PSC 118.06 (2) (cm) Upon request, register each non-electric facility the commission has certified, including the following data about the facility:

1. Its electric provider's account number.

2. Its location, owner, technology, and date placed in service.

3. Its estimated annual amount of displaced conventional electricity.

4. Any additional data the commission deems necessary for proper operation of the tracking program.

(d) 1m. Issues a unique electronic certificate for each MWh of conventional electricity displaced by a certified non-electric facility that complies with ss. PSC 118.03 and 118.04 , as calculated under s. PSC 118.09 . The certificate shall identify which non-electric facility displaced the MWh, when the facility operated, and any other characteristics the commission finds necessary.

SECTION 27. PSC 118.06 (2) (d) 3. b. is repealed.

SECTION 28. PSC 118.06 (2) (em) is created to read:

PSC 118.06 (2) (em) Audit registered non-electric facilities, as needed, to verify the amount of displaced conventional electricity.

SECTION 29. PSC 118.06 (5) is amended to read:

PSC 118.06 (5) The program administrator may not issue RRCs for energy produced by a decertified renewable facility or for conventional electricity displaced by the operation of a decertified non-electric facility .

SECTION 30. PSC 118.09 and 118.10 are created to read:

PSC 118.09 Calculation of displaced conventional electricity. (1) For each calendar year, the division administrator shall, by order, determine the percentage of electricity from conventional resources for the entire state. The division administrator shall base this determination on the annual average mix of resources used to generate electricity in the entire area served by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator. The division administrator may, by order, also establish a different percentage for a specific type of non-electric facility if its seasonal or diurnal operating characteristics justify a percentage that differs from the annual average percentage.

(2) The division administrator may, by order, establish a displacement formula for any type of non-electric facility. The division administrator shall base any such formula on a calculation of the minimum amount of displaced electricity that would be expected in a typical calendar year under realistic operating conditions.

(3) For each calendar year, the electric provider or the user of a non-electric facility shall determine the net amount of electricity displaced by the non-electric facility, using either of the following methods:

(a) 1. The determination may be based upon site-specific measurements and calculations of:

a. The amount of electricity used by the non-electric facility.

b. The amount of electricity that would have been used for the same purposes by the electric device that was replaced by the non-electric facility or that was used less due to the use of the non-electric facility.

2. The net amount of electricity displaced by the non-electric facility in a calendar year is equal to the amount in subd. 1. b. minus the amount in subd. 1. a. If this value is less than zero, the electric provider may not create any RRCs for the non-electric facility for that calendar year.

(b) The determination may be based upon a current displacement formula established under sub. (2) and any site-specific variables necessary to calculate the formula.

(4) The amount of conventional electricity displaced by a non-electric facility in a calendar year is equal to the net amount of displaced electricity determined under sub. (3), multiplied by the applicable percentage of displaced electricity in that calendar year that is from conventional resources as determined under sub. (1).

(5) The electric provider or the user of a non-electric facility shall maintain documentation of all information used in the determination made under sub. (3).

(6) Determinations under sub. (3) are subject to the commission's review and verification.

PSC 118.10 Individual consideration. The commission may consider exceptional or unusual situations and may, by order, apply different requirements to an individual facility than those provided in this chapter.

SECTION 31. EFFECTIVE DATE. This rule takes effect on the first day of the first month following publication in the Wisconsin administrative register, as provided in s. 227.22 (2) , Stats.

(End)

Agency Contact Person

Questions regarding this matter, including small business questions should be directed to Docket Coordinator Preston Schutt at [phone] or [e-mail] . Media questions should be directed to Teresa Weidemann-Smith, Communications Specialist, Governmental and Public Affairs, at [phone]. Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may also use the commission's TTY number: If calling from Wisconsin, use [phone]; if calling from outside Wisconsin, use [phone].