Thanks to the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress, Wisconsin ranks as one of the states with the biggest jump in utility costs 


MADISON, Wis. — A new report from Climate Power finds that policies backed by Republicans in Congress, including the war with Iran, have triggered a mounting energy crisis driving up utility bills for Wisconsin families. Wisconsin ranks as one of the top 15 with the biggest jump in utility rates.

Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil both voted for the Republican Tax Law, which eliminated clean energy tax credits that had been helping hold down utility costs for Wisconsin families. The same law delivered massive tax breaks to corporations — including the energy companies now raising rates on their constituents.

The report highlights Xcel Energy, which serves electricity to more than 262,000 Wisconsinites. Xcel raised rates in January 2026 — hiking monthly bills by 22.7% — and Wisconsin Xcel customers are on track for a $320.64 annual increase by 2027, the ninth-highest utility increase in the nation. 

Xcel’s PAC previously donated $1,000 to Van Orden’s campaign in December 2025, following his vote for the Republican Tax Law.

Other key findings from the report:

  • 179,829 clean energy jobs lost or stalled since Trump’s election, representing more than $61 billion in lost investment across 365 projects in 48 states
  • Household electric bills up as much as 13% nationally since Trump took office; residential natural gas up 12%
  • Gas prices up 40% since late February, driven by Trump’s military action in Iran
  • Utilities have raised or sought to increase bills by nearly $93 billion since Trump took office, affecting customers in 49 states and D.C.

“Wisconsinites are stuck paying the price for Congressmen Van Orden and Steil’s votes to raise energy rates. Because of the Republican Tax Law, many families are paying hundreds of dollars more for electricity and gas, while being squeezed with higher costs across the board,”said Meghan Roh, Program Director of Opportunity Wisconsin. “We need relief from higher costs, but Republicans in Congress continue to make things worse.”