We Energies to raise rates
Prices for We Energies customers will rise again in January, but not as much as the utility proposed, state regulators decided Thursday.
The three-member state Public Service Commission approved a $90 million price increase that will raise bills for the typical customer by about $6 a month.
That customer, using 600 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, now pays $74.39 a month. Under the utility’s proposal, residential customers would have seen price increases of at least $8.41 a month, We Energies said.
Robert Norcross, administrator of the gas and energy division at the PSC, estimated the increase would be just under 4 percent for both residential and commercial customers combined, compared with the utility’s proposal to raise electric rates by 7.5 percent from current levels. Residential customers alone will see an increase of about 8 percent.
The new rates will go into effect Jan. 1 for the utility’s 1.1 million electricity customers. The commission may make additional minor changes in the rate plan when it formalizes its decision next month.
In a three-hour meeting, commissioners rejected proposals from customer groups to put off raising prices to future years because of the recession.
Nov 13, 2009 at 6:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
They're raising rates because they're paying for another wind farm that isn't needed and won't reduce CO2 (according to Clean Wisconsin) and won't give us much electricity but will bring trouble and unhappiness to those forced to live with the turbines, which are noisy money losers except if you know how to take advantage of subsidies and customers. The PSC said yes to this increase. They are also about to decide if WE Energies will be able to invade the Towns of Randolph and Scott with over 75 turbines over 40 stories tall built just 1000 feet from homes. I'm sorry the PSC approved this rate increase. None of those three Doyle-appointed commissioners who approved of this rate hike has money worries. None of them has any idea of what a difference $6.00 a month more out the door can make.
Nov 13, 2009 at 4:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
I thought that when demand goes down for electricity the prices would also go down. Guess that BS about supply and demand just sounds good say but not practice. Millions of people like me who still have jobs are working reduced hours and have had to cut back and I have been taxed and squeezed to death with every fee increase known to man.
Nov 13, 2009 at 4:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Napalm - Been far too mild so far this fall.
Nov 13, 2009 at 3:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
The PSC will only listen to complaints it receives during the rate increase request hearing process. That said, they received an unusual volume of public comments on this case and that factored into their decision to limit the rate increase.
http://psc.wi.gov/%5Cpdffiles%5CNews%20R...
Nov 13, 2009 at 2:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
They are not losing money, all the CEO's will get their big fat bonus's, and the customer's have to spent more for it.
Nov 13, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
They are not losing money, all the CEO's will get their big fat bonus's, and the customer's have to more for it.
Nov 13, 2009 at 1:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Are they really losing money or is it that their profits are not matching analyst expectations? Their still making money but not as much as last year and not as much as they projected, so thus the increase in rates?
Nov 13, 2009 at 12:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
garyprimer, it's written poorly (not the Gazette's wording, seems like a trim of the MJS article), but the increase is 8% for residential customers. When all customers (residential and commercial) are counted, the overall increase is 4%.
.
Note that the PSC cut the rate increase request by about half.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/6989114...
Nov 13, 2009 at 12:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Really? Of course people are laid off, of course times are tough. But do you think these companies can just go in the back room and print more money? They are losing funds just like people are. Logic! Economics! I know it sucks, but they can't say screw it, let's go bankrupt, sell the company overseas and then they can charge astronomical rates.
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
Like they're going to go out of business if they keep their rates the same.
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
Is the increase for residential users four percent or eight percent?
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
Has anyone noticed that people are out of work,& everything is going up!!! I DON"T GET IT<AT ALL!!
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.