Last week, we wrote about the downfalls of increased fixed charges and WPS's plan to increase mandatory fees from $19 to $25 per month; however, WPS is not the only utility requesting to raise fixed charges. Xcel Energy has proposed a 125% mandatory fixed charge increase, the fee you pay just for having electricity, from $8 to $18. These hikes in fees take away the ability to control one's electric bill and will hurt fixed-income seniors and low-income people the most. This loss of control also diminishes the incentive to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency.
We are especially disappointed to see this request coming from Xcel Energy, a company that has been relatively progressive in cities like Minneapolis, MN and Boulder, CO. For example, Xcel's sister utility in Minneapolis currently charges $8 a month for residential service. Furthermore, the Minneapolis Public Utility Commission rejected Xcel’s request to increase its monthly charge to $9.13, a raise that is significantly less than what is being requested in Wisconsin.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is hosting a public hearing. We must show the PSC and Xcel that they connot put profit over their customers, especially when a similar request was denied just one state away.
The public hearings are taking place
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
At 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Menomonie Public Library
600 Wolske Bay Road
Menomonie, WI 54751
and
Thursday, October 29, 2015
At 9:30 AM
Amnicon Falls Hearing Room--1st Floor Public Service Commission
610 North Whitney Way
Madison, WI 53705
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