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.
March 8, 2006: Assembly Passes Energy Legislation
Posted: March 8, 2006 by Leah Steinberg
For Immediate Release: March 8, 2006
Assembly Passes Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Legislation
MADISON – The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) highly commends the Wisconsin State Assembly, which unanimously passed legislation last night that will strengthen efforts to save energy and utilize renewable energy resources.
“This legislation will boost Wisconsin’s economy by reducing energy bills, creating jobs, and reducing pollution from energy use,” said Charlie Higley, CUB executive director. “CUB appreciates the leadership of Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) for working with Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) to draft the legislation and to get the bill through the Assembly.”
The legislation, SB 459, reflects many of the recommendations of Governor Jim Doyle’s bipartisan Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables. CUB was a task force member along with Democrats and Republicans from the Senate and the Assembly, as well as utilities, labor unions, environmental groups, and business associations.
SB 459 will strengthen Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency program known as Focus on Energy. Over the past several years nearly $100 million has been diverted from Focus on Energy to reduce the state’s budget deficit, even though these funds were collected from utility ratepayers specifically for energy efficiency efforts. SB 459 will protect the funds for Focus on Energy, which means that Wisconsin citizens can receive all the benefits of making our homes and businesses more energy efficient: Each dollar invested in energy efficiency returns nearly 6 dollars to Wisconsin in economic and environmental benefits.
SB 459 will also increase the amount of electricity used in Wisconsin that is derived from renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and bioenergy systems. The bill calls for 10 percent renewable electricity by 2015, up from a current amount of about 4 percent. As with energy efficiency, investments in renewable electricity will create jobs in Wisconsin, reduce pollution, and keep dollars in the Wisconsin economy.
The bill is now on its way to Governor Doyle. CUB urges the governor to sign this legislation.
###
Category: Press Releases Tags: government