Opportunity Wisconsin: New report: Wisconsin energy and gas prices soar thanks to Reps. Steil and Van Orden’s votes in Congress

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin has released a new report detailing how votes by Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden have forced Wisconsin energy and gas prices to soar, as families to tighten budgets and struggle to afford basic necessities. 

“From sky-high gas prices to paying more to heat and cool homes, Wisconsinites are being hit hard as energy rates continue to climb with no relief in sight,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “These price hikes aren’t an accident, they’re a direct result of Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden’s votes in Congress to roll back investments in energy infrastructure and continue the costly war in Iran. We encourage Wisconsinites to learn more about how these policies have made it tougher for them to afford energy costs.”

Last week Opportunity Wisconsin announced gas card giveaways in Kenosha and Eau Claire to help provide relief to working families as gas prices remain well over $4 a gallon. Community members lined up to collect $2,000 worth of gas cards, delivering some relief from skyrocketing prices at the pump.

Read more about how Steil and Van Orden’s votes are impacting Wisconsin energy prices by reading the full report below:

Wisconsin Energy Prices Are Soaring Thanks To Reps. Steil and Van Orden’s Votes

Wisconsin families are paying more to heat their homes, keep the lights on, and fill their gas tanks. These increases are not simply the result of market forces — they are the direct result of specific votes cast in Congress. Here’s how.

Utility Bills Are Already Up — And Set to Go Higher

Wisconsin households have already seen utility bills climb sharply. In early 2026, customers of We Energies reported dramatic bill increases after the Public Service Commission approved rate hikes for both 2025 and 2026. Spectrum News 1 found that the average homeowner is now paying about $15 more per month for electricity and $8 more for natural gas than two years ago, with many customers reporting bills that had nearly doubled. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported winter heating bills are up $15 from the prior year.

Federal policy decisions are now set to push costs even higher. According to analysis from the Center for American Progress, Wisconsin household electricity costs will increase by an average of $80 per year starting in 2026. Looking further ahead, Energy Innovation projects those costs will reach $95 per year by 2030 and $300 per year by 2035, as the Republican Tax Law’s elimination of clean energy tax credits takes full effect. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities puts the 2035 figure even higher — up to $470 per year — and projects that 27,000 Wisconsin jobs will be lost due to the clean energy cuts.

The Republican Tax Law Cut Clean Energy, Forcing Costs To Increase

In July 2025, President Trump signed the Republican Tax Law into law. Among its provisions, the law eliminated or accelerated the phase-out of clean energy tax credits that had kept electricity costs lower for Wisconsin households, businesses, and utilities. Wind and solar are now the lowest-cost sources of new electricity generation and ending the credits that incentivized their development removes a key brake on rising energy costs.

The law ended or cut back:

• Tax credits for electric and hybrid vehicle purchases — ended September 30, 2025. Fewer efficient vehicles on the road keeps demand and gas prices higher.
• Tax credits for home energy efficiency upgrades — ended December 31, 2025. Families replacing HVAC systems will now pay $2,000 more; window and insulation upgrades cost $1,200 more.
• Tax credits for residential solar and clean energy installation — ended December 31, 2025. Fewer homeowners can afford solar, raising electricity rates for everyone.
• Wind and solar project tax credits — fast-tracked for phase-out, cutting off most new projects after 2026–2027 and triggering cancellations across the country.

Both Rep. Bryan Steil and Rep. Derrick Van Orden voted in favor of the Republican Tax Law. Steil and Van Orden each voted for the package on May 22, 2025 and again on July 3, 2025 when the final bill cleared the House with only Republican votes.

The War in Iran Has Sent Gas Prices Soaring

Wisconsin drivers are also feeling pain at the pump from the ongoing war with Iran. After the U.S. attacked Iran on February 28, 2026, global oil markets were thrown into turmoil. By mid-March, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline had jumped to over $3.84 — up nearly a dollar from the $2.98 consumers were paying before the conflict began, according to the Associated Press. By the end of March, U.S. average gas prices rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in more than three years, capping the sharpest monthly rise in decades. WISN reported on the surge hitting Wisconsin drivers directly, and analysts at JPMorgan warned that prices could reach $5 per gallon if the conflict drags on.

Congress has voted three times on war powers resolutions that would have required Trump to halt hostilities with Iran until Congress formally authorized military action. Rep. Van Orden voted against all three resolutions: H. Con. Res. 75 on May 14, 2026, H. Con. Res. 38 on March 5, 2026, and H. Con. Res. 40 on April 16, 2026. By voting against these resolutions, Van Orden and Steil voted to continue the conflict that is driving gas prices higher to continue.

Van Orden’s Energy Industry Donors

Van Orden has accepted campaign contributions from the same utility companies that are raising rates on his constituents. According to FEC records, his campaign received $1,000 from the Xcel Energy Employee PAC and $1,000 from the WEC Energy Group PAC in December 2025 — shortly after he voted for the Republican Tax Law. Xcel Energy electricity rates increased in Wisconsin by 22.7 percent, or $26.72 per month, in January 2026. WEC Energy Group, which owns We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, serves more than 3.1 million Wisconsin customers and has raised rates as well, and is currently requesting additional rate hikes for 2027 and 2028. Van Orden voted to give massive, new tax breaks to these corporations as part of the Republican Tax law last year.

In the 2025–2026 election cycle alone, Van Orden has received $173,195 from the energy and natural resources industry, according to OpenSecrets.

The Bottom Line

Wisconsin families are paying more for energy because of specific votes in Washington. The Republican Tax Law eliminated clean energy investments that kept electricity costs lower — a decision Steil and Van Orden both made. Van Orden then voted against three bipartisan efforts to end the Iran war that has sent gas prices above $4 a gallon. And the utility companies now raising rates on his constituents have donated to his campaign.

For Wisconsin households electricity bills are already up, gas prices are near a four-year high, and analysts project household energy costs will increase by up to $300–$470 per year by 2035 as a result of these policy choices.