Wisconsin advocates push lawmakers to put ratepayers first
CBS 58 MADISON (CBS 58) — The affordability of energy bills is likely top of mind for many Wisconsinites, especially as temperatures begin to cool. On Thursday, consumer advocates and lawmakers discussed steps they believe should be taken to lower costs and prevent large energy users from driving up utility bills.
Last legislative session, Democrats supported a bill that would have regulated data centers, with the goal of keeping energy costs lower. However, the legislation never passed. Now, with Democrats taking over as the majority party, it is an issue they plan to revisit.
Data center construction was a major concern for voters, particularly because of questions about how the facilities could affect utility bills.
“Research conducted by 5 Lakes Energy, we have concluded that for every 2-cent charge per kilowatt, nearly $200 by 2028 could be saved to nearly the status quo,” said Anna Markowski with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Evergreen Action and the Natural Resources Defense Council are energy affordability advocates. They believe the new legislative majority should enact policies to ensure data centers do not drive up energy costs further.
“We will be ready to pass legislation that will bring down utility costs, protect Wisconsin ratepayers and make sure that the public interest will come before the interest of giant corporations,” said state Rep. Angela Stroud, D-Ashland.
Last legislative session, Stroud introduced Assembly Bill 722, which did not pass while Democrats were in the minority. The bill would have charged large energy users an annual fee and established renewable energy requirements, among other provisions.
Stroud said the legislation will serve as a framework for what Democrats plan to introduce during the upcoming legislative session.
“That’s a great starting point. We know that we have consensus on everything that’s in that bill, but things have changed a bit. There are things that are going to be added to that bill, version 2.0, coming into next session, and really the details on that remain to be seen.”
Stroud did not specify exactly what changes she would like to see but said she is open to some of the suggestions made by the advocacy groups at the Capitol.
