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.
May 20, 2005: CUB Takes PSC to Court to Stop Nuke Sale
Posted: May 20, 2005 by Leah Steinberg
For Immediate Release: May 20, 2005
CUB Takes PSC to Court to Stop Nuke Sale
MADISON – Today the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) filed a lawsuit against the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) to stop the sale of a nuclear power plant to an out-of-state, unregulated energy company.
“In approving the sale, the PSC sold out Wisconsin ratepayers and accepted meaningless promises from an out-of-state company that aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on,” said Charlie Higley, executive director. “CUB is suing the PSC to ensure that the Wisconsin public maintains control and oversight over this nuclear power plant located in Wisconsin.”
The PSC approved the sale of the 540-megawatt Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant on March 17 to a subsidiary of Dominion Resources, an energy company headquartered in Virginia. The plant is currently owned by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) and Wisconsin Power & Light Company (WPL).
This sale would be the first time a major power plant, owned by a regulated Wisconsin utility and paid for by Wisconsin ratepayers, is sold to an out-of-state company. Allowing the sale would threaten the health, safety, and pocketbooks of Wisconsin ratepayers. The sale would also be another step toward utility deregulation, which has caused higher rates in other states.
The lawsuit was filed in Dane County. Others joining CUB on the lawsuit include the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Local 2150 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin.
In approving the sale, the PSC accepted agreements that they hope Dominion will heed regarding the dismantling of the plant, the treatment of ratepayer funds to be used to dismantle the plant, and the storage of nuclear waste, among others. The lawsuit argues that these agreements are worthless, which means that Dominion can snub its promises without fear of retribution by the PSC. CUB is also concerned that, after 2013, ratepayers would lose financial benefits that would accrue if the plant was still owned by Wisconsin-based regulated utilities.
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Category: Press Releases Tags: PSC, WPL, WPS