Chairwoman Summer Strand of Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission leveled criticism at President Trump and Republican lawmakers during today’s commission meeting, seemingly deflecting attention from her own role in approving massive utility rate increases under Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointee-controlled board.
Speaking during her opening remarks about why energy costs have increased for Wisconsin families and businesses at an open meeting to ultimately consider yet another rate hike on Wisconsinites, Strand blamed the Trump administration for what she characterized as harmful energy policies, declaring that “the person running the country is instigating geopolitical conflicts and unleashing erratic, harmful and in some instances illegal energy policies.”
Her criticism of legislative Republicans followed her complaints about President Trump. Strand lamented that “Unfortunately, the majority party that has been in power since 2011 has refused to consider beneficial changes to the governing statutes and code.”
The remarks appeared designed to position the PSC as a victim of Republican obstruction while the commission itself has overseen substantial increases to Wisconsin consumers’ utility bills, including over $2 billion in rate hikes since 2019.
Despite full Democratic control of the commission since 2020, Strand’s remarks suggested the board has been hamstrung by external forces rather than making its own policy choices. She made no mention of the commission’s authority to shape regulatory decisions within its existing statutory framework, nor did she acknowledge the numerous rate increases approved under her leadership.
Strand’s most pointed comments came when she urged rapid action to reshape the PSC’s legal authority. “On the heels of the historic election that occurred earlier this week, today is an especially opportune moment to emphasize that the time to mobilize, organize and advocate for substantive changes to the PSC’s legal framework begins now,” she said.
The timing of Strand’s remarks, blaming Washington and the Republican-controlled Legislature while the PSC operates under Democratic appointee control, illustrates a concerning pattern: attribute rate increases and policy constraints to factors beyond their own decision-making authority.
Wisconsin consumers, meanwhile, continue absorbing the costs of approved rate increases, many of which Strand supported. Today’s meeting included discussion of 2027 rates for multiple utilities, including double-digit hikes requested by WE Energies.
