FOR THE FUTURE. WE BEGIN WITH A RATE HIKE PROPOSAL FROM WE ENERGIES. THE UTILITY IS LOOKING TO RAISE RATES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. 12 NEWS CYREIA SANDLIN IS GETTING THE FACTS ON WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER. CYREIA A CITIZEN ADVOCACY GROUP, IS PRETTY FIRED UP ABOUT THIS. ALL THE DOCUMENTS, HUNDREDS OF PAGES TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT THIS MEANS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THE AVERAGE WE ENERGIES CUSTOMER CAN EXPECT TO PAY ABOUT $24 MORE A MONTH IN TOTAL ON THEIR ELECTRIC BILL. A MONTHS LONG PROCESS TO DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF YOUR ELECTRIC BILL IS NOW UNDERWAY. WE ENERGIES WANTS THE WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE A RATE HIKE. WHAT DID WE ENERGIES ASK THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO DO? IT’S ABOUT $12 A MONTH ESTIMATE IN 2025 FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS. TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER, AND ABOUT $12 A MONTH IN 2026. SO THE TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC CUSTOMER IS ABOUT $128, WHICH AMOUNTS TO A NEW BILL OF $152 A MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER. HERE’S ONE CUSTOMER’S BILL CURRENTLY AT $136. THAT WOULD JUMP TO $160. THE PROPOSAL NOT SITTING WELL WITH THE CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD OF WISCONSIN, ITS HEFTY. I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE INCREASES THAT CUSTOMERS WOULD BE SEEING OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, IT’S IT’S ABOUT AN 18.5% INCREASE OVER 20 BUCKS A MONTH BY THE TIME THIS FULLY KICKS IN IN THE SECOND YEAR. SO, YOU KNOW THAT MULTIPLY THAT TIMES 12. YOU GOT A SIZABLE INCREASE. WHY DO THE RATES NEED TO INCREASE AT ALL. YEAH. WHAT’S DRIVING THIS IS REALLY THREE KEY PRIORITIES. NUMBER ONE INVESTING IN RELIABLE IN MANY CASES RENEWABLE ENERGY IS GOING TO HELP SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH. HARDENING THE GRID AGAINST STRONGER WEATHER. AND THEN WE HAVE TO MEET NEW EPA RULES. DO YOU THINK THAT JUSTIFIES GUYS THE RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL I MEAN I THINK THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS. WHEN YOU AND WE REALLY HAVE TO DIG INTO THE CASE, HOW MUCH ARE THEY ASKING FOR? IS ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED VERSUS THINGS THAT THEY WANT? CYREIA THIS IS JUST A PROPOSAL FOR NOW. THERE ARE SEVERAL STEPS BEFORE THIS PASSES. JOYCE, THERE IS A LOT LEFT TO BE DONE. THE WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL ANALYZE EVERYTHING. THEY’LL HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND THEN THEY CAN ALSO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION FROM WE ENERGIES. WE ENERGIES. IT TELLS ME THAT THE BOARD WILL ULTIMATELY SET THE NEW RATE IN NOVEMBER DECEMBER. YOU’LL SEE THAT NEW RATE ON YOUR BILL STARTING JANUARY 1ST. WE’LL BE SURE TO PASS ALONG WHEN THOSE PUBLIC HEARING DAT
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We Energies bill increase: Potential 18% electric rate hike proposed
We Energies is asking the state agency to raise rates in 2025 and 2026
Cyreia Sandlin
Anchor/Reporter
New details of We Energies' latest rate proposal are shedding light on what this could mean for the average customer starting in 2025. The utility company is asking the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to approve a rate hike for 2025 and 2026. A months long process to determine the future of your electric bill is now underway."It's about $12 a month estimate in 2025 for residential customers, typical residential customers, and about $12 a month in 2026," explained We Energies Director of Media Relations Brendan Conway.He added the typical residential electric bill is about $128. This amounts to a new bill of $152 a month for the average customer starting in 2026. The proposal is not sitting well with the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin."It's hefty. If you look at the size of the increases the customer will see over the next two years, it's an 18.5% increase. Over 20 bucks a month by the time this fully kicks in, multiply that times 12, you've got a sizable increase," said Tom Content, CUB's Executive Director.Conway said the rates need to increase for the following reasons."What's driving this is three key priorities. Number one is investing in reliable, renewable energy. Hardening the grid against stronger weather, and then we have to meet new EPA rules," Conway said.Content says he's not sure those priorities justify the rate hike."I think the devils in the details. You really have to dig into the case," he said. "How much are they asking for are things they want versus things they need?"The Wisconsin Public Service Commission will analyze the request and data. They can also request more information from We Energies and hold public hearings. Ultimately the board will set the rate in November or December. The new rates go into effect Jan. 1.TOP STORIES Milwaukee shooting: 3-year-old boy recovering, mother pleads for informationPolice called to Germantown High School for student fight Milwaukee restaurateur indicted on sex trafficking, child p*rnography charges Sade Robinson's family was notified of human arm found in IllinoisFirst-of-its-kind surgery saves giraffe at Milwaukee County Zoo
MILWAUKEE —
New details of We Energies' latest rate proposal are shedding light on what this could mean for the average customer starting in 2025.
The utility company is asking the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to approve a rate hike for 2025 and 2026.
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A months long process to determine the future of your electric bill is now underway.
"It's about $12 a month estimate in 2025 for residential customers, typical residential customers, and about $12 a month in 2026," explained We Energies Director of Media Relations Brendan Conway.
He added the typical residential electric bill is about $128. This amounts to a new bill of $152 a month for the average customer starting in 2026.
The proposal is not sitting well with the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin.
"It's hefty. If you look at the size of the increases the customer will see over the next two years, it's an 18.5% increase. Over 20 bucks a month by the time this fully kicks in, multiply that times 12, you've got a sizable increase," said Tom Content, CUB's Executive Director.
Conway said the rates need to increase for the following reasons.
"What's driving this is three key priorities. Number one is investing in reliable, renewable energy. Hardening the grid against stronger weather, and then we have to meet new EPA rules," Conway said.
Content says he's not sure those priorities justify the rate hike.
"I think the devils in the details. You really have to dig into the case," he said. "How much are they asking for are things they want versus things they need?"
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission will analyze the request and data. They can also request more information from We Energies and hold public hearings. Ultimately the board will set the rate in November or December. The new rates go into effect Jan. 1.
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