Wisconsin PSC approves We Energies rate hike

Wisconsin PSC approves We Energies rate hike Advertisement Updated: 9:51 PM CST Nov 5, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ TJ Dysart Reporter Wisconsin PSC approves We Energies rate hike Updated: 9:51 PM CST Nov 5, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ TJ Dysart Reporter MILWAUKEE — We Energies customers will see their energy bills rise over the next two years after Wisconsin regulators approved a rate increase, though the final amount has not been determined. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, a nonpartisan, three-member board, met for more than 10 hours Thursday before voting on the request. It will be the energy company’s sixth rate increase since 2020. Advertisement In April, We Energies said its proposed rate changes would increase bills by about $13 per month in 2027 and another $8 to $9 per month in 2028. The PSC did not finalize the rates Thursday. We Energies said the increase will support “key investments,” including more Wisconsin-produced energy, continued tree trimming to reduce power outages and the placement of power lines underground to strengthen the grid against severe weather. “Our customers count on us every day for the energy they need, and we recognize our responsibility to continue providing safe and reliable energy, while keeping customer bills as low as possible,” a We Energies spokesperson said. “During this months-long process we worked with customer groups and Commission staff to reduce costs to customers by tens of millions of dollars.” The Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, an independent nonprofit consumer advocacy group, expects the increase to be less than what We Energies requested. “Based on where [the PSC] landed on key issues, we can say with confidence that this rate hike will be well below what the utility asked for,” said Tom Content, the group’s executive director. “The savings could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but unfortunately not enough to stop an increase from taking effect.” The Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin echoed that assessment, saying that while reducing the requested increase was “a meaningful step toward holding the utility accountable and protecting customers from excessive costs,” the decision underscored the need for stronger protections against repeated increases and broader reform. We Energies said that regardless of the final increase, Wisconsin energy costs will remain below the national average and in line with rates elsewhere in the Midwest. The commission’s written order, which will include the final rates, is expected in a few weeks. Make WISN a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks New study links energy drinks to reports of heart attacks and cardiac arrest in young adults 16 midterm races are within 1%. What could happen next? These toys are worth buying for your kids, according to Good Housekeeping experts and kid testers Republican redistricting failed to flip most targeted districts