For Immediate Release: May 25, 2018
More Information: Tom Content, 608-251-3322 x. 12, 414-550-4712 (cell)
CUB: Alliant Customers Can Expect Savings
from Settlement with Customer Groups, Tax Reform
MADISON, Wis. — The Citizens Utility Board is pleased to have reached a settlement with Alliant Energy Corp. that would bring base rates back to 2017 levels and help customers take advantage of savings from federal tax reform.
“This is a good deal for small business and residential customers of Alliant. We appreciate that the utility was willing to share information early with the state’s customer groups, and then made an effort to collaborate and compromise. That made a settlement possible,” said Tom Content, executive director of Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, the state’s independent consumer voice.
“It’s encouraging to see a low-cost utility in Wisconsin poised to remain that way. Wisconsin utilities have been seeking higher and higher fixed charges, which makes customers pay even more before they turn on a light switch. With this settlement the Alliant fixed fee won’t go up,” Content said.
Customer groups have reached settlements with other power companies in the past. However, this is the first settlement filed under a new state law that formalizes how settlements are reached at the PSC.
Under the new process, now that Alliant has reached a settlement with two groups — CUB and the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group – the utility now must meet with other parties in the case to see if they are on board.
Those parties may object to or support the settlement before it is considered by the Public Service Commission.
Tax reform will help bring rates back to 2017 levels through 2020 if this deal is approved. In addition, customers will see an added benefit from tax reform with bill credits appearing soon.
“Given the focus both here in Wisconsin and around the country about grid modernization and rapid changes in the energy world, we are pleased that Alliant has agreed to collaborate with customers — through CUB and WIEG – on development of innovative concepts that it hopes to implement in the years ahead,” Content said.
The settlement agreement is available at psc.wi.gov under Docket 6680-UR-121
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