'It's going to hurt us all:' Milwaukee residents speak out against proposed rate increases by WE Energies
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Your gas and electric bills might start looking a bit more expensive.
That's if a proposed 13% rate increase from WE Energies is passed by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (WPSC).
According to Brendan Conway, a spokesperson for WE Energies, that 13% translates to roughly a $14 monthly charge for the average customer, which could add up to about $170 yearly.
Conway said most of the money is to recover costs from projects that are already approved, for clean energy investments, and for other proposals like hardening the grid in preparation for severe weather outages.
"These are significant investments that have been approved, in many cases, for our solar and our wind and our battery storage projects. It's just moving forward," Conway said. "This is only our second-rate proposed increase in eight years. Actually, as part of this increase, we’re agreeing to lower our fixed costs, which also haven’t gone up in 10 years. So next year, your fixed cost would be lower than they’ve been in a decade."
Conway said this increase may be "wiped out" for low-income customers.
"We've worked hard to get significant energy assistance dollars. We've donated, as a company, to the Keep Wisconsin Warm fund," Conway said.
Even with the 13% raise, Conway noted that "the average electricity bill will still be significantly below the national average" and customers could see "significant savings" over a longer period of time.
But on Thursday, dozens of Milwaukee residents crowded into the Washington Park Senior Center for two public hearings on the proposal.
#NOW: Dozens of #Milwaukee residents are at a Wisconsin Public Service Commission public hearing at the Washington Park Senior Center, voicing opinions on @we_energies proposed gas/electricity rate increases. This is the 1st of 2 public hearings today — the 2nd is at 6p. @CBS58pic.twitter.com/DOebH6ygSk
— Ellie Nakamoto-White (@ellienw_news) November 3, 2022
Some held signs plastered with the message "Fight for our Lights."
"We shouldn't have to make the decision between buying diapers and putting lights in our homes," said Brittney Taylor of Metcalfe Park.
Neighbor Melody McCurtis said she pays between $200 to $350, depending on the season.
"We Energies has been monopolizing our energy. They've been monopolizing our lives. It's unequitable, it's inhumane, and it's poverty pimping," McCurtis said. "Enough is enough."
Antonio Butts of Lindsey Heights said the rate passing would be "unfair."
"There is no thoughtfulness in this. There is no analysis in this," Butts said.
Maria Beltran said she pays about $400 for her two-floor duplex.
"I can't afford it. I'm disabled," Beltran said. "My income hasn't changed, so why should my rate change?"
Walker's Point resident Cesar Gumeta said he believes "it's only going to get worse."
"We have to choose between paying our phone bill this month or electricity the next month," Gumeta said. "If there is an increase in the rate, I could go without my asthma medication or my anxiety medication because we want to stay warm and alive in the winter. So yeah, it's going to hurt us all."
The WPSC is expected to make a decision by the end of November or by early December. You can still submit public comments online here through Nov. 7.
"Our message to everybody is that obviously we're going to support whatever the commission decides," Conway said.