Profitable utilities shouldn’t keep raising our rates

The Public Service Commission needs to deny We Energies’ request to raise electric and gas rates.

We Energies continues to propose more expensive fossil fuel projects and hasn’t improved its low-income and affordability options for people already struggling to pay bills. Rate increases disincentivize customers to lower their power usage. People on fixed incomes are disproportionately affected, as lower-use customers are saddled with more of the cost.

We Energies has some of the highest electric rates in the country, and has the fifth-highest profit rates for utilities, according to the Wisconsin Citizens Utility Board. We energies has some of the highest racial disparities in energy burden, with majority Black and Latinx communities paying higher rates than white neighborhoods in Milwaukee.

The PSC suggested We Energies explore improvements to its “low income forgiveness tool” and create a “percentage of income payment plan” pilot program to help customers who are struggling to pay their bills. the forgiveness tool has not seen the improvements, and the pilot program does not exist yet.

Affordability programs should be prioritized over more profit for the utility while customers continue to suffer. We need to decrease racial disparities in energy burden, as well as prioritize carbon-reduction goals.