Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany took the Public Service Commission (PSC) to task Tuesday as members appointed by Gov. Tony Evers convened hearings on yet another We Energies request for higher rates.
“Families should not have to dread opening their electric bill. In the last eight years, there’s been $2 billion worth of increases in the state of Wisconsin,” Tiffany said. “My administration will appoint public service commission members who will make sure we have affordability at the forefront.”
The three-member PSC, whose majority was appointed by Evers, is reviewing We Energies’ proposal for electric and natural gas rate increases in 2027 and 2028. The utility is seeking roughly 14 percent more from residential customers over two years, adding more than $13 a month next year and another $8 to $9 the year after for a typical household.
Evers’ PSC appointees have already approved more than $2 billion in utility rate increases and signed off on more than 70 percent of what utilities requested. Critics say the pattern has left Wisconsin with some of the highest electricity costs in the Midwest while households absorb repeated hikes.
Tiffany, a U.S. representative from northern Wisconsin, has made lower energy costs a central theme of his campaign. He argues the current commission has prioritized utility requests over ratepayers and pledges to install commissioners who will reject unreasonable increases.
We Energies says the additional revenue is needed for new generation projects, grid upgrades and other investments. Public hearings on the request were scheduled Tuesday in Milwaukee, with a final PSC decision expected later this year. New rates, if approved, would take effect in January 2027.
