We Energies customers could see a rate increase for the third time in as many years if the utility company gets its way.
According to a press release from We Energies Friday, the Milwaukee-based company filed a proposal with state regulators that if approved would increase a typical electric bill by roughly 125 dollars annually in 2025.
It’s a move that’s drawing strong criticism from clean and affordable energy advocates in Milwaukee like Keviea Guiden.
Guiden told TMJ4’s Tahleel Mohieldin, she knows all too well what it’s like to struggle with the electric bill.
“I have lived experience and I deal and work with people in the community,” Guiden said. “Some of the stories that I’ve collected from folks is totally heartbreaking.
At Sherman Park on Friday afternoon Guiden, an Energy Burden Organizer with Northside Rising Co-op was joined by neighbors, and environmental activists with the Sierra Club’s Wisconsin chapter, for a Fight for Our Lights rally.
The group had planned the rally ahead of the We Energies announcement on Friday but when they learned of the energy providers plans, they were quick to pushback.
“It’s shameful,” Milwaukee resident Geneva Jones said. “I can tell you that my energy bill is definitely about 20 percent of my income.”
“It’s outrageous,” Guiden said. “It’s utterly despicable, you know. The thing is that they’re getting richer.”
Company leaders said the money would be used to reduce customer outages, meet new EPA environmental rules, and build the infrastructure needed to support jobs and economic growth in Wisconsin.
They said the vast majority of the proposal is to recover costs of renewable and low-carbon power plants the Public Services Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has already approved.
Additionally, to address Wisconsin’s stronger and more frequent severe storms, the company is also looking to bury hundreds of miles of power lines over the next decade and increase tree trimming to remove dead ash trees outside the company’s trim zone.
Rates increase breakdown
We Energies natural gas customers: $6-8 increase in their monthly bills in 2025.
We Energies steam customers in downtown Milwaukee: 8.4% increase in 2025 as part of the filed plan.
Typical monthly residential electric bill: Increase of $10-$11 a month in 2025.
What's next
We Energies officials said they will update the filing to include more specific information on the impact for each customer group in May.
Customers will also be able to learn more information through a bill insert and on we-energies.com.
The PSCW will conduct hearings on the rate proposals and is expected to make a final decision later this year.
The Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin released a statement critical of the proposal. In part, CUB Executive Director Tom Content said the following:
“Shareholders of WEC Energy Group have enjoyed profits that are the highest in the state and well above the national average. High profits drive up costs and cry out for a more balanced approach that keeps the concerns of customers paying the bills top of mind.”
“From the filing, it appears that We Energies wants to have its cake and eat it too: They want to make money on all the new solar and natural gas plants they ‘re looking to build, and they want to keep profiting on coal plants long after they’re shut down.”
CUB is encouraging homeowners, renters, and small businesses to raise their voices with the PSCW.
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