The following is a statement from Mandela Barnes on We Energies proposal for their sixth consecutive rate hike since 2020:
“Wisconsin utilities are trying to force our families to pay nearly 50% more on their electric bills than they were in 2020, all while the We Energies’ CEO watched his pay triple from $4 million to over $12 million.
“This system is broken and corrupt—and it ends with me.
“As Governor, I will freeze the rates and stop greedy utility monopolies from exploiting Wisconsinites to line their pockets. We will cap executive pay, ban ratepayer dollars from being used on political expenses and lobbying, and stop the revolving door of PSC Commissioner to utility executives.
“Wisconsin families are seeing their bills skyrocket by hundreds of dollars, forcing them to choose between keeping the heat on or putting food on the table—and the utility companies are buying politicians to keep it that way.
“I can’t be bought, so the utilities and their well-paid lobbyists are going to fight me with everything they have. But I won’t back down. I’m going to freeze the rates, full stop.”
Learn more about Mandela Barnes’ plan to freeze the rates:
“Wisconsin utilities are trying to force our families to pay nearly 50% more on their electric bills than they were in 2020, all while the We Energies’ CEO watched his pay triple from $4 million to over $12 million.
“This system is broken and corrupt—and it ends with me.
“As Governor, I will freeze the rates and stop greedy utility monopolies from exploiting Wisconsinites to line their pockets. We will cap executive pay, ban ratepayer dollars from being used on political expenses and lobbying, and stop the revolving door of PSC Commissioner to utility executives.
“Wisconsin families are seeing their bills skyrocket by hundreds of dollars, forcing them to choose between keeping the heat on or putting food on the table—and the utility companies are buying politicians to keep it that way.
“I can’t be bought, so the utilities and their well-paid lobbyists are going to fight me with everything they have. But I won’t back down. I’m going to freeze the rates, full stop.”
Learn more about Mandela Barnes’ plan to freeze the rates:
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mandela Barnes pledges to freeze utility rates if elected governor
- Civic Media: Mandela Barnes argues utility companies have too little oversight and too much sway over pricing, wants to “freeze the rates”
- WisPolitics: Capitol Chats: Barnes says Public Service Commission should put the public over profit
