Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission to rush review of some water projects

The state P-S-C says it will speed reviews of some proposed water utility projects, during Wisconsin’s emergency drought declaration. Normally, Public Service Commission staff has up to 90 days to review water utility construction projects. But now in the 42 counties facing a drought emergency, that review has been ordered to happen within ten business days. PSC water official Jeff Ripp says the speed up won’t apply to proposed new wells, because those will still need lengthy environmental analysis and can take a long time to drill.

Ripp says there are no projects pending for the expedited review , but he says PSC Chairman Phil Montgomery wanted water utilities to know the state is ready to move quickly, especially if the dry conditions continue in much of the state. The PSC also says following local water conservation orders may delay the need for sudden water utility projects.