Wisconsin PSC approves We Energies

Key Points:

• Wisconsin regulators approved a rate increase for We Energies customers, with preliminary estimates showing a 3.9% increase in 2027 and 3.5% in 2028, translating to an additional $7-$8 per month in 2027 and $6-$7 in 2028 for typical residential electric bills.
• This marks We Energies’ sixth rate increase since 2020, with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin voting after over 10 hours of discussion; however, the final rates have not yet been finalized.
• The rate hike is intended to fund investments such as expanding Wisconsin-produced energy, tree trimming to reduce outages, and underground power lines to improve grid resilience against severe weather.
• Consumer advocacy groups like the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin and the Clean Economy Coalition acknowledge the increase will be lower than originally requested by We Energies but emphasize the need for stronger protections against repeated rate hikes.
• We Energies maintains that, despite the increase, Wisconsin energy costs will remain below the national average and comparable to other Midwest states, with the commission’s final written order expected in the coming weeks.