Madison, Wis. – Following a request from Senators Bob Wirch (D-Somers) and Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), the state Public Service Commission (PSC) has agreed to extend the public comment period on the proposed WE Energies electric customer rate increase through Monday, November 14, 2022. The comment period had been scheduled to end at 5 pm on Monday, November 7.
“It is great news that the Public Service Commission is giving consumers another week to share their thoughts on the double digit rate increases. The issue was flying under the radar for a while, and people can’t comment on something they’re not aware of. Now more light has been shined on the proposal, so it’s great that they can still register their positions with the PSC,” said Wirch.
WE Energies has proposed a 13% rate increase for residential electric customers and a smaller, 6.4% bump for its business and industry customers. This would mean the average family would pay about $175 more per year for electric services. Meanwhile, WE Energies has recorded record profits for four years in a row, including $1.37 billion during the last fiscal year.
“Wisconsin families have been faced with increasing costs for necessities like food and gas; their budgets are already tight. It’s only right that they be able to weigh in before the PSC makes a decision that will stretch their hard earned dollars even further,” Carpenter added.
The Public Service Commission has final say on the rate increase proposal. They are expected to rule by the end of the year. The public can leave comments at https://apps.psc.wi.gov/ERF/ERF/comment/filecomment.aspx?util=5&case=UR&num=110 now through November 14 at 5 pm.
