A local utility provider may be increasing energy costs for a fifth consecutive year.
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to increase customers’ electric rates by approximately 10% next year, and by 14% over the next two years.
WPS says that paying more every month on energy bills will benefit all customers, while UnitedForALICE data shows 35% of all Wisconsin households are already struggling to make ends meet.
This comes as WPS has made roughly $1 billion in profits since 2022 while energy bills have been hiked by 21% in the same time.
WPS has said these increases will allow the company to make improvements to its energy delivery apparatus and would see customers, not shareholders, foot the entire $1.99 million bill to pay the fees for its Board of Directors, a point Jeff Adams with the Citizens Utility Board took great exception to.
In testimony in front of the PSCW, Adams stated, “I believe it is appropriate for the commission to reconsider whether it is necessary or appropriate to require captive customers to pay the fees of those who are fiduciarily bound to advocate against their interests. It is an additional burden, which I believe can reasonably be disallowed from rate recovery.”
If approved, prices would increase for the fifth time in five years in January 2027 and again in January 2028.
