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Power companies request rate changes ahead of winter - WAOW

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Power companies request rate changes ahead of winter | News | waow.com

WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) -- Starting next year, your power bills could be changing by a few dollars - depending on which company you use.

We Energies asked the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to increase electric rates by 2.5 percent starting in 2024.

On the other side, Wisconsin Public Service - owned by the same company - asked to decrease rates by 2.3 percent.

This would translate into $4 increase for We Energies customers and a $2 decrease for WPS customers.

This follows an increase from 2022, when customers of We Energies and WPS both saw their bill go up around 9 percent.

"These fillings continue our commitment to providing affordable reliable and clean energy to customers and communities across Wisconsin," said WEC Spokesperson, Matthew Cullen.

Both WPS and We Energies are separate companies but both owned by WEC Energy Group.

We Energies serves a big portion of the south of Wisconsin and because of multiple ongoing developments this has caused the company to ask for an increase.

"Significant investments in electric and natural gas infrastructure including those renewable energy facilities such as the second phase of the Badger Solar Hollow Park as well as the Paris Solar Battery park as we well," said Cullen.

In contrast, WPS is asking for a decrease due to lower costs.

"Lower fuel costs to produce the energy that is needed for our customers the electricity our customers need and that's why for Wisconsin public service were proposing that decrease," said Cullen.

None of this will be finalized until the Wisconsin Public Service Commission makes a decision by the end of the year.

Cullen says the new plans will keep and remain all their customers bills well below the national average.

" Part of our plan that is expected to save our customers 2 billion dollar over the next 20 years," said Cullen.

If this proposal is approved Wisconsites can expect to see these changes reflect on their bill by January of 2024.

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