Milwaukee residents, leaders push for cap on rising utility rates tied to data centers

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- City leaders, lawmakers and residents are calling for a 2% annual cap on utility rate increases in Milwaukee, urging the Common Council to address affordability concerns as data center development drives up energy costs.

"In the more suburban communities, they pay 2 percent, but in poorer communities it can be 10, 20, 25 percent and so we need to fix this, so everybody is at 2 percent, that's what's fair," said Milwaukee resident Amber Joy Kostecki.

We Energies has released a plan that would require data center companies to cover 75% of energy costs, with the remaining 25% paid by ratepayers.

The proposal still needs state approval.