StateSaturday, November 7
State regulators approve a smaller We Energies rate hike for 2027 and 2028
The 608today team
If you pay We Energies, your bill is going up again, just less than the utility wanted. The Public Service Commission voted Thursday to approve a roughly 7% increase across 2027 and 2028, the utility's sixth hike in a row. We Energies first proposed roughly 9% overall, including 16% for residential customers.
The approved increase is smaller than We Energies first asked
| Utility's request | Measure | Commission's vote |
|---|---|---|
| 9% | Overall electricity increase, roughly | 7% |
| 9.9% | Shareholder rate of return | 9.5% |
Source: Wisconsin Watch
We Energies expects the average residential bill to rise $7 to $8 a month in 2027 and $6 to $7 more in 2028. The lower shareholder return saves ratepayers roughly $60 million over two years.
$60 millionsaved by ratepayers over two years from the lower rate of return
The commission set the rate at 9.5%, down from the 9.9% We Energies asked for.
Source: Wisconsin Watch
- Rate of return: 9.5%, down from the 9.9% requested
- Start date: Jan. 1
- Written order: expected in the coming weeks
- Commission meeting: 10 hours on Thursday, Nov. 5
Tom Content of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin said commissioners "made progress" but "could have gone further." Chair Summer Strand said the majority party in power since 2011 has refused to consider rule changes, and We Energies said the vote supports tree trimming and burying power lines.
Sources: Wisconsin Watch, WTMJ, TMJ4 News, FOX6 News Milwaukee