Business
Advocates look to lower We Energies, WPS proposed double-digit rate hikes
Advocates are pushing back against We Energies and WPS proposed double digit rate hikes, citing concerns over profit margins and high consumer costs.
By Jon Styf · 2026-08-15T05:40:02.206Z
The Center Square – Both We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service Corp. are receiving pushback on proposed double digit electricity rate hikes over the next two years.
A hearing on the 16.3% residential increase phased in over two years will be in front of the Public Service Commission on Tuesday, while the WPS case will be heard Sept. 29.
We Energies is justifying the proposed increase due to new power plants along with solar and battery projects along with inflation and higher fuel costs along with higher profit margins.
“We Energies’ rate case was filed while the big case involving how data centers will pay for their energy needs was still proceeding,” the Citizens Utility Board wrote about the proposal. “The decisions on that case should change the amounts in the initial We Energies’ proposal, especially the decision to require tech companies to pick up 100%, not 75%, of the cost of new power plants for data centers.”
CUB is proposing that We Energies’ return on equity be 9.1% instead of the proposed 9.9%, which would save consumers more than $100 million in 2027 and a similar amount in 2028. The Public Service Commission declined CUB’s proposal to do the same two years ago.
“Wisconsin investor owned utilities already receive the fifth highest profit rates in the country, forcing customers to shoulder energy bills that are too high,” CUB wrote.
The WPS proposal is asking for a similar 9.9% return on equity instead of CUB’s 9.1% proposal, which would save consumers an estimated $54 million in 2027 and $57 million in 2028.
“The parent company of WPS, WEC Energy Group, reported total profit of more than $1.6 billion in 2025. The majority of the multi state utility company’s profits come from its Wisconsin utilities,” CUB said about the proposal.
A typical WPS customer’s bill has more than doubled over the past 25 years, CUB said, while investors in the company have done “exceedingly well.”
This story originally appeared on thecentersquare.com https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article 3428175b d7a5 4bbc b854 60752b19e5c7.html .