The two utilities that serve the eastern half of Wisconsin say they want to freeze basic electric and natural gas rates through 2019.
We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service have asked state regulators to consider their request. Utility spokesperson Matt Cullen outlines the proposal...
"...so in total, all WPS customers, all families, all businesses will have had their rates frozen for four consecutive years...."
Cullen says they will continue upgrading the system...
".....we're committed to keeping rates low while also maintaining reliability and this proposal does that. It means customers will not have seen an increase for 4 consecutive years. We're able to manage costs while continuing to invest in system reliability with this proposal...."
Culen says they're also asking state regulators to make permanent a pricing option that allows industrial customers to manage their energy use more effectively and expand their operations.
Advocacy groups for business and residential customers say it's possible the base rates could be lower -- and they're wary possibly freezing rates higher than they need to be.
Increases in the cost of generating the fuel would still be allowed under the proposal.
