Opinion ID: 1822971
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Abatement Order

Text: ¶ 23. A circuit court's decision to grant an injunction, determine its form, and determine its scope, are within the broad discretion of the circuit court. City of Wis. Dells v. Dells Fireworks, Inc., 197 Wis. 2d 1, 15, 539 N.W.2d 916 (Ct. App. 1995) (citing Seigel, 163 Wis. 2d at 889-90). When a party seeks injunctive relief, a circuit court exercises its discretion in deciding whether to grant injunctive relief, and if so, in what form. Forest County v. Goode, 219 Wis. 2d 654, 670, 579 N.W.2d 715 (1998). Thus, it is within a court's discretion to order a specific method of abatement. See, e.g., Bubolz v. Dane County, 159 Wis. 2d 284, 296, 464 N.W.2d 67 (Ct. App. 1990) (Injunctive relief should be tailored to the necessities of the particular case. (citing Rondeau v. Mosinee Paper Corp., 422 U.S. 49, 61 (1975))). This court has recognized that in ordering an injunction, a court is not required to specify the method of abatement, but such specificity may be ordered in certain cases. Generally the means whereby the nuisance is to be abated is left to the direction of the defendant tortfeasor. If the means by which the defendant may abate the nuisance is immaterial and the court is looking solely to the end-result, it has been said that the means of abating the nuisance is of no concern of the court. . . . However, there are situations in which the balancing of convenience or equities is attempted by the court and the decree does provide in detail how the nuisance shall be abated or partially controlled. It is recognized the court may require the defendant to adopt methods and appliances where their adoption will avoid the conditions complained of. Costas v. Fond du Lac, 24 Wis. 2d 409, 418 129 N.W.2d 217 (1964) (citations omitted). ¶ 24. In this case, it was disputed whether merely replacing the underground, multi-grounded cable would effectively abate the nuisance or whether an overhead delta system is needed. Consequently, it appears that it was proper for the circuit court to specify the method of abatement in order to satisfactorily address the jury's finding that the Hoffmanns' cows were being damaged by the deteriorated WEPCO line. ¶ 25. WEPCO contends that even if the circuit court had the authority to order a specific method of abatement, the court did not have to order the method that is most likely to minimize the potential for future stray voltage problems. Conversely, the Hoffmanns contend that the circuit court does not have to order the method that is least costly or most convenient for WEPCO. While both WEPCO and the Hoffmanns raise valid considerations, neither answers the pertinent issue: whether the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion in specifically ordering the ungrounded, overhead delta system. A circuit court erroneously exercises its discretion if it (1) fails to consider and make a record of the factors relevant to its determination; (2) considers clearly irrelevant factors or improper factors; and (3) clearly gives too much weight to one factor. Sunnyside, 222 Wis. 2d at 471. ¶ 26. Based on our review of the record, we conclude that the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion in ordering the ungrounded, overhead delta system by relying on an improper factor. In the transcript of a motion hearing on September 29, 2000, Judge Kirk stated: The reason that I believe that the plaintiffs are entitled to this relief to the overhead delta system that they request is that they were the victors of this hard-fought lawsuit. As much as we attempt in our business to dress things up and doing [sic] justice and doing [sic] equity, there is still a lot to be said for that philosophy that, To the victor goes the spoils. ¶ 27. In ruling on motions after verdict, Judge Kirk reasoned: I will grant the injunctive relief as requested by plaintiffs and include in that order that . . . the type of overhead delta system to be installed is as the plaintiff has requested . . . . It was an erroneous exercise of discretion for the circuit court to order an overhead, ungrounded delta system based on the fact that the Hoffmanns were the victors of the case, and had specifically requested an overhead, ungrounded delta system. Although we understand and perhaps are even sympathetic to the circuit court's position, we cannot let it stand. The ordering of an electrical system must be based on the merits of the system with a record to support that order. ¶ 28. In addition, the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion by failing to take into account relevant factors in ordering a method of abatement. Specifically, there appears to be uncertainty regarding the safety and reliability of an ungrounded delta system, as well as whether an ungrounded delta system complies with Wisconsin's electrical code. See Wis. Admin. Code ch. PSC 114 (Sept., 1997). ¶ 29. WEPCO claims that these kinds of findings are within the PSC's area of expertise; therefore, the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion by not deferring to the PSC on the issue of abatement. While we conclude that the circuit court did not properly take into account all of the relevant factors in ordering a specific method of abatement, we disagree with WEPCO that the circuit court should have deferred its jurisdiction to the PSC on the abatement issue. Only a court has the authority to grant an injunction; therefore, it was not an erroneous exercise of discretion for the circuit court not to defer its jurisdiction to the PSC. See, e.g., Madison Teachers v. Madison Sch. Dist., 197 Wis. 2d 731, 747, 541 N.W.2d 786 (Ct. App. 1995). Nevertheless, based on the PSC's knowledge and expertise regarding the distribution of electricity, the circuit court could have requested and considered information and feedback from the PSC in making its determination regarding a method of abatement. [15] Specifically, the circuit court could have taken into account comments from the PSC concerning the safety and reliability of an ungrounded, overhead delta system and whether such a system complies with Wisconsin's electrical code. ¶ 30. Consequently, we conclude that remand to the circuit court is required for the court to properly exercise its discretion by considering the following relevant factors: (1) the safety and reliability of an overhead, ungrounded delta system and (2) whether an ungrounded delta system complies with Wisconsin's electrical code, and if the court deems necessary requesting comments from the PSC regarding these factors. ¶ 31. In sum, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict that WEPCO's deteriorated, underground, bare-concentric electrical distribution cable was a cause of damage to the Hoffmanns' dairy herd. We further conclude that remand to the circuit court is required on the abatement issue for the court to properly exercise its discretion in ordering a method of abatement. By the Court. The decision of the court of appeals is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded to the circuit court for Waupaca County for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.