STATEMENT OF SCOPE
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
(Docket
1-AC-250
)
Relating to:
|
Update State Electrical Code
Volume I
–
Adopt
National
Electric Safety Code Provisions
|
1.
Description of the objective of the rule and expected financial impact:
To incorporate into the Administrative Code
forthcoming
revisions to the National Electric Safety Code
(NESC)
, to correct deficiencies, and make any other necessary changes to update and improve the
electric
safety code.
The Commission anticipates moderate economic impact from this proposed rule.
2.
Description of existing policies relevant to the rule and new policies proposed to be included in the rule and analysis of policy alternatives; the history, background and justification for the proposed rule:
Volume 1 of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code (WSEC), codified in Wis. Admin. Code ch.
PSC 114
, is administered by the Commission
.
It deals with safety requirements for the installation, operation, and maintenance of primarily outdoor electric supply and communications lines and facilities used by utilities, including electric and telecommunications suppliers, railroads, and cable television providers.
Wisconsin
Admin. Code ch.
PSC 114
has been, and is, based on the
NESC.
The NESC is revised and updated every five years
requiring
subsequent periodic revision of WSEC, Volume
1, to adopt the latest national standard. In 1979, 1982, 1985, 19
88, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2003,
2008,
and
2014
,
the Commission adopted the 1977, 1981, 1984, 19
87, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2002,
2007
,
and 2012
editions of the NESC, respectively, with certain changes, deletions, and additions which apply in Wisconsin only and are contained in Wis. Admin. Code ch.
PSC 114
.
T
he 2017
edition of th
e NESC
i
s scheduled for
final
publication in August 2016
,
and the proposed changes
are currently available for review
. A corresponding revision of Wis. Admin. Code ch.
PSC 114
is necessary to implement the latest edition of the national code and make any other necessary changes to update and improve the code.
While it is difficult to predict the expected financial impact before the rule is written, at this time it is expected to be moderate.
3.
Statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):
This rule is authorized under
Wis. Stat. §§
196.02(1) and (3),
196.74, and
227.11
(2),
Stats.
Wisconsin Stat. §
227.11
(2)
authorizes agencies to promulgate administrative rules.
Wisconsin Stat. §
196.02(1)
authorizes the C
ommission to do all things necessary and convenient to its jurisdiction.
Wisconsin Stat. §
196.02(3)
grants the C
ommission specific authority to promulgate rules.
Wisconsin Stat. §
196.74
authorizes the Commission to promulgate rules that promote public safety by requiring the construction and operation of electric
wires and equipment
to be safe.
4
.
Estimate of the amount of time that state employees will spend to develop the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
Approximately 200 hours of C
ommission staff time will be required in this rulemaking.
5
.
Description of all entities
that may be impacted by the rule:
This rulemaking may affect electric, telecommunications, and cable providers.
6
.
Summary and preliminary comparison of any existing or proposed federal
regulation
that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the rule:
The
NESC
, which is incorporated by reference in Wis. Admin. Code ch.
PSC 114
, covers provisions for safeguarding of persons from hazards arising from installation, operation, or maintenance of conductors and equipment in electric supply stations, and overhead and underground electric supply and communication lines. The federal standard is applicable to systems and equipment owned by utilities.
Contact Person:
