Wisconsin Senate Fires State Utility Regulator in Dispute with Democratic Governor

The Wisconsin State Senate has taken a significant step in the ongoing power struggle between the legislature and Democratic Governor Tony Evers, by voting to reject the confirmation of Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner. Huebner, who was appointed by Evers in March 2020 and again in March 2021, is the latest in a series of gubernatorial appointees to be fired by the Senate over the past five years.

The Senate’s decision to reject Huebner’s confirmation came after a contentious debate over his stance on setting energy rates based on customers’ ability to pay and opening up the solar energy sector. Huebner, who previously served as executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that advocates for renewable energy, has been a vocal advocate for these policies.

However, Republican Senators argue that Huebner’s approach to energy rates is not in line with state law. Republican Sen. Julian Bradley, a member of the Senate’s utilities committee, accused Huebner of activism and dubbed his stance on income-based rates as such.

Another point of contention between Huebner and the Senate was his vote in December 2023 to allow property owners to lease panels from a solar power company at lower rates than what an electric utility might charge. Utilities have generally opposed such deals, and the Legislature has not approved them.

Democratic Sen. Brad Pfaff, who served as Evers’ agriculture secretary until the Senate fired him in 2019, defended Huebner and accused Republicans of trying to cripple state government. Pfaff argued that Huebner is one of the brightest minds in renewable energy and that the Senate’s rejection of his confirmation sends a signal that qualifications and hard work do not matter.

Despite Republican Sen. Julian Bradley’s assertion that the vote was not political, the rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is the latest in a series of moves by the Senate to reject gubernatorial appointees. In 2019, the Senate fired Democratic Sen. Brad Pfaff, and in October 2023, they rejected eight more Evers appointees, including four members of the state Department of Natural Resources Board.

The Senate’s decision to reject Huebner’s confirmation leaves the three-member commission with one vacancy heading into the spring. Evers has appointed Kristy Nieto, administrator of the commission’s Division of Energy Regulation and Analysis, to replace Chairperson Rebecca Valcq, who plans to leave the agency in early February.

The ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers is not unique to the state. Across the country, there have been similar disputes between state legislatures and governors over the past few years. In some cases, these disputes have led to gridlock and a lack of progress on important policy issues.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political landscape in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

In the meantime, the rejection of Huebner’s confirmation sends a clear message that the political climate in Wisconsin is contentious and that the power struggle between the legislature and the governor is far from over. It is a reminder that the political landscape in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers is not a new phenomenon. In recent years, there have been similar disputes between state legislatures and governors across the country. In some cases, these disputes have led to gridlock and a lack of progress on important policy issues.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It is a reminder that the political climate in Wisconsin, and in many other states, is complex and fraught with tension. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor developments closely and to consider the implications for the state and for the broader political landscape.

The rejection of Huebner’s confirmation is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the Wisconsin State Senate and Democratic Governor Tony Evers. It