RECAP: Over One Hundred People Turn Out in Opposition of We Energies’ Rate Increases and New Methane Gas Plans

Milwaukee, WISCONSIN – Before the second hearing today, advocates joined together in opposition of We Energies’ proposed rate increases and new methane gas (which is called “natural gas” by the industry) plans. The group began at We Energies’ downtown headquarters and marched to the Drury Plaza Hotel, where the Wisconsin Public Service Commission is hosting the public hearing.

Advocates gather in front of We Energies headquarters. Photo by Megan Wittman.

Outside of the public hearing, advocates rally against We Energies’ rate increase and new gas plans. Photo by Megan Wittman.

The coalition released the following statements:

Cassie Steiner, Senior Campaign Organizer for Sierra Club:

“People simply can’t afford to keep up with these higher rates year after year. We Energies is attempting to raise rates for the third year in a row without any improvements to their affordability programs, and customers’ bills are likely to keep going up if We Energies continues plans for new methane gas. We Energies has shown time and again that they only care about padding their own pockets and have no problem making customers foot the bill for unreliable fossil fuels that are polluting our communities.”

Annie Carrell, APNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner and Director of Behavioral Health Services, Outreach Community Health Center:

"As health professionals, we witness firsthand the devastating impacts of rising energy prices, driven by utilities prioritizing profits over the health of our communities through continued investment in fossil fuels . . . Many families are forced to choose between heating their homes and affording necessities, leading to significant stress and anxiety. The rise in respiratory illnesses, heat-related conditions, and other health crises demands urgent action."    

Victoria Gillet, MD, Milwaukee Primary Care Physician:

“In 2022, We Energies was directed to “consider” a Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) as a tool to mitigate the unhealthy effects of our increasing energy costs. Here we are again, with another rate increase and no PIPP.  One of the patients I talked about in 2022 passed away last year. People literally die while we wait for corporations and government agencies to do the right thing. The PSC needs to stop giving We Energies rate increases until they implement a PIPP.”

John Imes, Cofounder & Director Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (WEI):

“The health risks, financial strain on ratepayers, and negative impact on green job growth make it clear: we must transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources now. Not only do these facilities jeopardize our state’s clean energy future, but also burden ratepayers with long-term costs. We need a more forward-thinking energy plan that aligns with Wisconsin’s clean energy goals and continues to build our clean energy economy."

Kat Klawes, Climate Action Policy Coordinator at Citizen Action of Wisconsin:

“Communities across Wisconsin, especially BIPOC neighborhoods in Milwaukee, are already facing discriminatory energy burdens that strain household budgets. The proposed rate hikes by We Energies will only exacerbate inequities, forcing families to make impossible choices between keeping their lights on, heating their homes, or affording basic necessities . . . It is time for the Public Service Commission to stand with ratepayers over corporate profits and push for equitable and climate-forward energy policies.”

Full statements from the coalition are available here.

BACKGROUND

We Energies is proposing to increase electric rates by 9.29% in 2025 and 8.58% in 2026. Natural gas rates would increase by 6.14% in 2025 and 8.64% in 2026. Between We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, the utilities are requesting a $800 million rate increase over the next two years. In the last two years, We Energies has already increased rates more than 13% following a decades-long trend of raising costs.

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service also have $2 billion of new methane gas plant proposals in front of the Public Service Commission, indicating that customers will likely face even more rate increases in the coming years to pay for these fossil fuels. 

Methane gas, also known as natural gas, is a form of pollution that is 80 times more destructive to our climate than coal. Methane gas releases other pollutants like nitrogen oxides that impact people’s health, causing coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, reduced lung function, and respiratory inflammation. From 2021-2023, Milwaukee County had the highest rates of asthma hospitalizations. 

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