Customers participate in public hearings on possible We Energies rate increases

On Tuesday, people attended a Racine Public Utilities Commission hearing to voice their opinions on We Energies’ proposal to raise rates.

A We Energies spokesman said the proposal aims to recover the costs of renewable and low-emission power plants already approved by the commission, including the Paris Solar Center in Kenosha County and the Darien Solar Center in Rock and Walworth counties. Both plants are under construction and are expected to be commissioned later this year.

The proposed increases also focus on strengthening storm resilience and network resiliency to reduce outages, build infrastructure and meet federal regulations. The proposal includes multimillion-dollar savings from closing the old Oak Creek coal-fired units and more than $100 million in customer savings from federal tax credits and lower fuel costs from new renewable energy facilities.

We Energies plans to bury power lines and increase tree trimming to remove dead ash trees over the next decade.

If approved, the typical electric bill would see an estimated monthly increase of $11.92 next year, or $143 per year.

A typical gas bill would increase by $4 to $8 per month or $48 to $96 per year.

Sister Janet Weyker, a Racine resident, opposed the proposal given the number of people struggling to make ends meet. She noted that rents that include utilities have increased in recent years.

Sister Janet Weyker is a resident of Racine.

“Even though I don’t see this bill month to month, we are aware of the need to turn off the lights and try to save energy,” Weyker said.

Michael Ervin of Operations Engineers Local 139, which works on We Energies projects, expressed his support, citing the jobs the work would provide.

“They are doing everything they can to keep us going, but we have to realize that we have to keep the power grid running so that in an emergency we still have power,” Ervin told TMJ4 News.

Michael Ervin of Operations Engineers Local 139 works on We Energies projects.

“Even if the PSC said, ‘OK, we approve everything We Energies proposes,’ we would still be in line with other utilities. We are all going through this massive energy transition across the country,” We Energies spokesman Brendan Conway said.

Brendan Conway, spokesperson for We Energies.

Tom Content, with the Citizens Utility Board, which opposes the changes due to affordability concerns, said public hearings are key to convincing the PSC to minimize rate increases.

“In cases where a lot of people are showing up and speaking online or at a hearing, it takes a toll on the people who have to make decisions,” Content said.

“Without a doubt, we want a safe and resilient system,” he added. “But there are other areas where it can be reduced.”

At Energies, we have noticed that they offer programs to help customers make payments.

Public Service Commission public hearings

Thursday, October 3, 2024
First hearing at 1:00 p.m
Second hearing at 6:00 p.m

Drury Plaza Hotel – Great Lakes Ballroom
Wodna Street 700 N
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

To participate in the public hearing virtually, join Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings.

Join Zoom by phone:
Dial the number: +1 312 626 6799
Enter Meeting ID: 809 513 2930

You can post a public comment here.

The public comment period ends on Monday, October 7, 2024.

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