In addition to the PSC and MEQB, there are at least seven other state and federal agencies involved in review of the proposed transmission line. There will also be information provided on the history of the project, the general need for a transmission line, the scope of the environmental documents, and detailed descriptions of the alternate routes through St. Croix Falls. PSC and MEQB staff, and representatives of the other agencies, will be available to answer questions. After drafts of the environmental documents are completed, there will be another meeting in the area to allow for discussion of and public comment on specific environmental impacts. The cooperative inter-agency consumer education effort was undertaken because state telephone customers are barraged by solicitations from telephone companies daily and many do not know if they are getting a good deal.
Telecommunications is the number one area of consumer complaints in Wisconsin.
The agencies are concerned that without an effective educational effort, the problems faced by Wisconsin consumers will only increase as consumers are bombarded with new service options. This initiative is being funded through settlement funds obtained by the Attorney General's office in a lawsuit against a company that engaged in illegal telephone slamming practices. The brochures, along with a poster which publicizes their availability, are being mailed to all public libraries in the state, all county social service departments, all state government district offices, and all legislators, as well as selected aging groups, citizen advocacy groups, multicultural organizations, university libraries, housing and energy assistance groups, and community outreach groups. Consumers can call this number to get copies of the brochures and to get answers to questions. The utility's ISO proposal was rejected by the Commission this past February because it failed to meet the Commission's ISO standards and principles.