ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Utility rates could be going up the next two years for Wisconsin Public Service customers, but first customers were able to weigh in Thursday during two public hearings.
The Public Service Commission will rule on the utility company’s request and hosted the hearings at the Ashwaubenon Community Center.
The proposed rate increases for 2025 and 2026 come after rates increased each of the past two years.
“Rents are ridiculous, people don’t know what to do,” said Karry Osoben, one of three people who spoke in opposition of the requests at an afternoon hearing. “I am just concerned that this rate increase will just be another problem for people.”
WPS says next year, an average residential customer would pay about $15 more per month.
The proposed residential increase for electricity is 14.62% in 2025 and 5.27% in 2026. The proposed hike for natural gas is 6.04% for residents in ’25 and 8.04% in ’26.
“Even if our request is completely approved by the commission, they make no changes to what we’ve already filed, customer bills will continue to be significantly below the national average,” said Matt Cullen, a spokesperson for WPS.
WPS says the rate increases would help reduce customer outages, build infrastructure to support jobs and the economy, and meet new EPA rules.
“In my position as the business agent in the carpenters union, we are continuing to send people to work on the different projects, whether it’s the solar fields, the dams, the power plants,” said Steven Dorvinen, one of three people who spoke in support of the rate increases during the afternoon public hearing. “These jobs mean a lot.”
Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit group that keeps an eye on utility companies. believes shareholder profits should be lowered. It says the rate increases on customers are too much too quick.
“It’s a 28% jump between 2022 and 2026,” said Tom Content of Citizens Utility Board. “That’s really a lot.”
“Our company’s financial strength is actually a benefit to our customers,” said Cullen. “It helps us be able to accommodate and receive lower interest costs and that ultimately does provide savings to our customers.”
Two years ago when this process was happening, Wisconsin Public Service requested a rate increase of about 14%. The Public Service Commission ended up approving a rate increase of about 9%.
Citizens Utility Board believes public input played a role in that change.
“The more people that participate, the better the outcomes for everybody,” said Content.
The commission is expected to make a ruling before the end of the year with new rates taking effect January 1st.
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