You have a business to run. It is hard to stay on top of things locally let alone at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) where your electric rates are set. That’s where the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin comes in. We advocate for all small utility customers from individual citizens to small businesses and farmers for fair, safe and reliable utility service. We monitor the changing energy world and put the utility customer first.
CUB small business members benefit from our team of legislative, utility and communications experts who advocate tirelessly for your business at the Public Service Commission, the state Capitol, in the courts, and at regulatory agencies.
Small Business Membership Benefits:
Advocacy: CUB business membership keeps you up-to-date on issues that matter to you.
- Monthly electronic newsletters highlighting key cases before the PSC, issues before the Legislature, and information to help you control energy costs.
- Action Alerts keep you notified and enable you to get involved, when important decisions are up for hearing/vote.
- CUB works as Your Independent Consumer Voice at the table for small business interests when the PSC sets rates and energy policy.
Empowerment: CUB will help you take action and share your thoughts with Wisconsin government officials.
- Confused by your bill? We can explain it.
- Problem with your utility service and pricing? We will answer questions and help you work with your utility.
- Who makes these decisions anyway? We will show your staff how to interact with the PSC and legislators
Access: CUB can help your organization and employees save resources and money.
- Host a “utility bill clinic” about ways to help residents and businesses save money on their utility bills.
- Promote your support of fair, safe and reliable utility rates with the CUB small business member badge.
Outreach: CUB will help small business members partner with other members and like-minded organizations to bring these issues to the public. CUB staff can answer questions about energy related matters as well as provide free one-on-one utility bill consultations.
Partnership Opportunities: CUB partners with community groups interested in learning about utility issues. We provide presentations on how to understand your utility bills, how the PSC works and how you can get involved. Plus, we can provide information on energy costs you can control. Let us know what you’re interested in, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
October 3, 2005: CUB Supports Decision-Making Reforms at PSC
Posted: October 3, 2005 by Leah Steinberg
For Immediate Release: October 03, 2005
CUB Supports Decision-Making Reforms at PSC
MADISON – The Citizens Utility Board supports the draft settlement announced today between the Wisconsin Attorney General and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) regarding secret meetings between key PSC staff and a Wisconsin-based electric utility.
The draft settlement will likely be accepted by the Public Service Commission at its open meeting on Tuesday, October 4.The draft settlement will likely prohibit communications between the executive assistants to the Commissioners and parties participating in utility rate cases and other “contested case”
proceedings while the case is pending at the PSC. “This is a victory for ratepayers,” said Charlie Higley, CUB executive director. “These changes by the PSC will help reduce the influence of the utilities on electric and gas rates and other issues that almost always cost ratepayers more money.”
Between October 7 and October 12, 2004, We Energies and several senior staff at the PSC held secret conversations and made numerous changes to a draft PSC order. It was only by accident that CUB became aware of these secret dealings. CUB blew the whistle because CUB believed these actions were unlawful and that the PSC needed to reform its decision-making processes.
The PSC has tentatively agreed that utilities may not communicate with the executive assistants of the commissioners about the merits of major cases like rate cases while those cases are pending before the PSC. The PSC has also tentatively agreed that discussions among commissioners about draft orders should take place in open meetings.
CUB commends PSC Chairman Dan Ebert and Commissioner Mark Meyer for making these important reforms. These changes will help maintain public confidence in the fairness and integrity of the PSC’s decisions, which affect every ratepayer in the state. CUB also commends the vigorous actions of Attorney General Lauthenschlager in investigating and settling this case. Without her efforts, these reforms would not have taken place.
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Category: Press Releases Tags: PSC