CUB reached a settlement with Madison Gas & Electric in its 2021 rate case to keep electricity costs from going up in a time of pandemic and economic pain.
The draft settlement was filed with the Public Service Commission on Friday and will be reviewed by the PSC in the coming weeks and months.
Under the proposal, electric rates and bills will be unchanged in 2021, remaining at levels lower than 2018.
This marks the second straight settlement CUB has negotiated with MG&E under the settlements law passed by the Legislature in 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a critical factor driving negotiations this year. COVID-19 has affected all areas of the economy, including both utilities and their customers. Finding a way to keep electricity costs from going up in a pandemic was a goal for CUB and MG&E in this settlement.
Here at CUB we’re glad that we were able to arrive at a settlement that provides a way to keep electricity rates flat while also limiting rate impacts to natural gas customers. It also gives the utility flexibility to manage costs driven by COVID-19 and limit costs for fuel to help provide savings down the road.
The proposed settlement agreement also carries forward many of the terms CUB negotiated with MG&E two years ago, such as holding the line against increases in the customer charge and maintaining the lowest profit level of the large utilities in Wisconsin.
MG&E has also committed to collaborate with CUB to assess the energy burden of those who struggle the most to pay their energy bills, especially during this year of pandemic, recession and uncertainty. CUB and MGE will use that information to try to develop effective programs to assist the most vulnerable utility customers as we go forward.
“We all need to keep focused on the needs of those who are struggling the most, and we hope this can be a step toward doing just that.”
The electric rate settlement takes advantage of credit balances from fuel and federal tax costs MG&E has over-collected to help offset increases linked to new solar projects and projected lower sales due to COVID-19.
In addition, employee pension costs were driven up by downswings in the stock market earlier this year. This increase wouldn’t be collected from customers in 2021. It’s hoped that these pension costs could be much lower if the market continues to improve.
The agreement also calls for a change that could benefit customers if MG&E collects too much from customers in fuel costs. Currently, utilities retain 2% more than they budgeted for fuel burned in utility power plants. Under the proposed settlement, MG&E would only retain 1% more than the budgeted fuel cost sum in 2021. As Wisconsin utilities have regularly over-collected for fuel costs in recent years, it’s hoped that this will help to offset future possible rate increases.
The agreement also includes new rate programs, including a Bring Your Own Device program that rewards customers who save energy on hot summer days if they have a smart thermostat linked to their air conditioning system. MG&E also plans to introduce a flat bill rate pilot for customers who choose to pay a flat monthly rate for electricity from renewable energy resources, and an electric vehicle charging program for companies or organizations with a fleet of EVs.
Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Renew Wisconsin joined MG&E and CUB in this settlement agreement.
More information: MGE Settlement Agreement August 2020
Read more case documents on the PSC website.
Posted: December 22, 2020 by Tom Content
Action by Congress, PSC Could Aid Struggling Utility Customers
Legislation approved Monday by Congress will provide help to utility customers behind on their bills and low-income customers of water and wastewater utilities.
In addition, the state Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved an arrearage forgiveness program for low-income customers of Alliant Energy Corp. who are behind on their utility bills.
“Taken together, these are important steps to provide relief to those suffering from the economic toll the pandemic has spawned,” said Tom Content, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, Wisconsin’s consumer advocate for residential and small business utility customers.
The pilot program proposed by Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Power & Light utility would forgive past due balances if low-income customers are able to remain current on their utility bills for 12 straight months.
In comments to the PSC supporting the proposal, CUB noted, “As our nation’s recently refreshed struggle with racial, social, and economic injustice and inequity has reminded us, many chronically low-income individuals struggle due to societal factors entirely beyond their control. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many into personally uncharted territories of economic hardship. WP&L’s proposal will provide the utility with an additional valuable tool to assist its customers who are struggling the most.”
Other major Wisconsin utilities have some form of forgiveness program for low-income customers.
Approval of the pilot came a day after Congress passed a $900 billion COVID relief bill that includes $25 billion for rental assistance, which can be used to pay rent and utility bills that have gone unpaid during the pandemic.
CUB is part of the Customers First Coalition, which last week sent a letter to the Wisconsin congressional delegation asking for funding for to aid customers struggling with utility bills.
A separate portion of the bill, which will fund the U.S. government through September, will provide $638 million nationwide for low-income assistance for customers of water and wastewater utilities.
“The pandemic and recession have made it hard for those struggling to pay for food, let alone their rent and utilities,” Content said. “Targeting help to those who need it makes sense, and the legislation manages to do that, but missed an opportunity for a bigger infusion of assistance for the poor.”
Posted: November 25, 2020 by Tom Content
Newsletter Updates 2020 Work, CUB Wishes Wisconsin Restful Holiday Season
CUB’s Fall Newsletter and Holiday Card is arriving in mailboxes across the state, so we’re happy to share it.
We want you to have a happy and restful holiday season. It’s been a cataclysmic year. Our normal routines and lives have been turned upside down, and after all we’ve been through we hope you and your get a chance to exhale and relax.
The newsletter provides updates on what we’ve been working on, while working at our homes, during the pandemic.
The pandemic has been a critical focus for us. We advocated to keep utility customers connected and joined our consumers advocate partners across the country in urging Congress to step up and provide additional relief to those hardest hit by the economic fallout from COVID-19. Check out our COVID-19 resources here.
A new funding model for CUB, our Funding Modernization Plan, was approved unanimously in the state Assembly early this year just prior to the Governor’s Safer at Home order. We await Senate passage of the bill, though it’s unclear whether the Senate will reconvene again before year-end. With the prospect of all five big utilities having rate cases next year, this would be a good time to finalize a plan that has widespread and bipartisan support.
This year we’ve been working on cases involving several of the big utilities, negotiating a settlement to keep electricity rates unchanged and below 2018 levels for customers of Madison Gas & Electric Co., and supporting a refinancing plan that will trim costs for We Energies customers linked to the shuttered Pleasant Prairie coal-fired power plant.
The newsletter also highlights another recent win:
Two Waukesha County teachers, Danielle Chaussée and Kelly Holtzman of Oconomowoc High School, were named Wisconsin’s Energy Educators of the Year for 2020. The teachers lead a combined Global Sustainability and A.P. Spanish class. On behalf of CUB, the nonprofit partner of their class, the students translated CUB consumer information materials into Spanish and created CUB’s first Spanish-language webpage, cubwi.org/espanol.
Finally, the newsletter highlights CUB’s savings for customers, which tallied $159 million last year, and shows how Wisconsin’s electricity rates stack up among Midwest states. Though rates have stabilized somewhat in recent years, the longer-term trend shows that rate hikes have outpaced inflation. Being among the most expensive in the Midwest underscores there’s more work for CUB to do, with the help of supporters across the state.
Our thanks go out to members who’ve supported the nation’s first CUB through the years. If you want to support Your Independent Consumer Voice, please consider a pledge this week as part of our #GivingTuesday campaign. Pledge your support at cubwi.org. Thank you!
Posted: November 24, 2020 by Tom Content
Savings Extended for Another Year for MG&E Customers
Customers of Madison Gas & Electric Co. will continue paying less next year for electricity than they were paying in 2018 under a rate settlement approved Tuesday.
The state Public Service Commission voted unanimously to endorse a rate settlement that will keep electricity rates at the same level in 2021 as it has been for the past two years.
The settlement incorporates savings on fuel costs and taxes to help offset the additional cost customers would otherwise be paying with MG&E’s utility-scale solar expansion.
“Keeping rates stable was one element of this settlement that we like,” said Tom Content, CUB executive director. “But it also served as an opportunity to push out innovative new offerings, like a Bring Your Own Device pilot program that helps customers save money by adjusting their smart thermostat on hot summer days.”
CUB appreciated that the settlement includes a commitment to analyze in detail the energy burden borne by low-income customers of MG&E. This analysis could serve as a jumping-off point for innovative rate options for customers hard hit by this year’s recession.
“We all need to keep focused on the needs of those who are struggling the most, and we hope this can be a step toward doing just that,” said Content.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a critical factor driving negotiations this year. COVID-19 has affected all areas of the economy, including both utilities and their customers. Finding a way to keep electricity costs from going up in a pandemic was a goal for CUB and MG&E in this settlement.
This marks the second straight settlement CUB has negotiated with MG&E under the settlements law passed by the Legislature in 2018. Other stakeholders agreeing to the settlement included Renew Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group.
More details on the settlement can be found here: www.cubwi.org/blog. Information about the case is available at the PSC under docket 3270-UR-123.
Posted: November 13, 2020 by Tom Content
Waukesha Co. Teachers Who Partnered with CUB Honored as Wisconsin Energy Educators of the Year
Two Waukesha County teachers whose class partnered with CUB during its 40th Anniversary year have been awarded the 2020 Energy Educator of the Year award from the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP).
CUB was thrilled to partner with teachers Danielle Chaussee and Kelly Holtzman and their Global Sustainability / Spanish class in the 2019-20 school year.
The OHS class worked with CUB in a number of ways, translating energy education materials into Spanish and helping launch CUB’s Spanish language page, cubwi.org/espanol.
The OHS students also served as ambassadors for CUB at the CUB 40th Anniversary Celebration in Madison in November 2019, and helped staff booths for CUB and
marketing partner Evolution Marketing at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council conference in December.
“The teachers strive to create learning experiences that immerse students in real-world issues and teach students ethical issues behind energy and conservation,” said Melissa Anders, Oconomowoc High School associate principal.
“They not only teach about energy
in the scientific sense; they radiate an internal energy that comes from a selfless passion to serve others,” said Anders. “The Global Sustainability course is the first of its kind that I know of, and it is an innovative way of combining cultural responsiveness, service learning, science, business, and world language instruction.”
The Energy Educator of the Year Award was awarded Nov. 6 by KEEP during a special virtual ceremony with the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education, held via Zoom. The energy education program, based at UW-Stevens Point, is supported by Alliant Energy, Madison Gas & Electric, We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service Corp., WPPI Energy and Xcel Energy.
CUB is proud of our partnership with OHS along with small business member Evolution Marketing. The partnership is continuing, virtually, with a new group of OHS students in the 2020-21 school year.
Posted: November 5, 2020 by Tom Content
Consumer Groups Applaud PSC Vote to Refinance $100 Million from Retired Power Plant
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, Inc. (WIEG) applauded the Public Service Commission for this morning’s vote to approve an application from We Energies to securitize $100 million of costs for environmental controls at the retired Pleasant Prairie Power Plant.
On a 3-0 vote, the PSC granted the request of We Energies for a financing order to authorize environmental trust financing (Docket 6630-ET-101). We Energies estimates the issuance of environmental trust bonds to securitize $100 million of the remaining investment in environmental controls at Pleasant Prairie will deliver $40 million in customer savings over time.
Securitization is in some ways similar to refinancing a mortgage. It’s a process by which a utility replaces relatively high-cost debt and equity, which is charged to electricity customers, with lower-cost debt in the form of securitization bonds. This gives the utility a more favorable bond issue and saves ratepayers money.
Securitization of undepreciated costs of Pleasant Prairie was a key part of 2019 rate case settlement involving We Energies and consumer groups. That settlement in PSC Docket 5-UR-109 was negotiated by CUB and WIEG with We Energies. Clean Wisconsin signed on to that settlement, which was approved by the PSC late last year.
WIEG and CUB supported this provision as a strong tool to help keep rising electric rates in check, especially at a time when more utilities are looking to retire coal-fired power plants in the next several years. All of Wisconsin’s investor-owned utilities have committed to carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets, coal retirements and significant new investment in capital projects.
Current state law (Ch. 196.027) allows the creation of a trust from which low-cost bonds can be issued for the financing of emission reducing technologies and retired assets. The law was originally passed as 2003 Act 152.
“We think this makes good common sense and excellent economic sense,” said Todd Stuart, WIEG Executive Director. “It could save Wisconsin ratepayers $40 million in this instance. Now that we have this example for Pleasant Prairie, securitization or other creative financing should be considered by Wisconsin utilities in the future. Avoiding rate increases helps our economy and we strongly believe it will help keep our struggling manufacturing industry competitive.”
The customer groups said they appreciated the effort of We Energies to negotiate and implement both the rate settlement and securitization plan, and the work of the PSC and its staff to review and authorize the plan today.
We Energies shut down the Pleasant Prairie coal-fired power plant in 2018, and customer groups raised concerns about utility customers having to continue paying for a power plant no longer needed to keep the lights on in Wisconsin.
Posted: October 7, 2020 by Tom Content
Energy Efficiency Day: Ways You Can Save
Happy Energy Efficiency Day, Wisconsin!
On Energy Efficiency Day 2020, CUB wants to make you aware of some freebies and ways to save on energy costs, whether you’re a Small Business, Homeowner or Renter.
Tools for Small Businesses
Focus on Energy’s new online assessment tool is here to help small businesses, and we’re excited to let you know about it.
Focus on Energy wants to help put energy efficiency at the top of your priority list. With just a few minutes of your time, this simple online energy assessment can deliver a customized report detailing energy savings opportunities for your small business.
As an added benefit, you can order a FREE energy-saving pack and have energy-saving measures delivered right to your door. Saving energy doesn’t get much easier!
How do I get started?
Step 1: Visit the Focus on Energy Small Business portal
Step 2: Complete your online assessment.
Step 3: Order your free pack and start saving!
Tools for Residential Customers
Single-family homeowners, renters, and property owners can also make energy related improvements to their homes.
Find which incentives are available for you, and see if your utility participates in Focus on Energy’s Residential Program.
Residential customers can also benefit from a FREE energy-saving pack from Focus on Energy. Energy saving light bulbs, power strips, and shower heads are available.
Posted: September 2, 2020 by Tom Content
Stability Amid Pandemic: MG&E Settlement Would Leave Electric Rates Unchanged in 2021
CUB reached a settlement with Madison Gas & Electric in its 2021 rate case to keep electricity costs from going up in a time of pandemic and economic pain.
The draft settlement was filed with the Public Service Commission on Friday and will be reviewed by the PSC in the coming weeks and months.
Under the proposal, electric rates and bills will be unchanged in 2021, remaining at levels lower than 2018.
This marks the second straight settlement CUB has negotiated with MG&E under the settlements law passed by the Legislature in 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a critical factor driving negotiations this year. COVID-19 has affected all areas of the economy, including both utilities and their customers. Finding a way to keep electricity costs from going up in a pandemic was a goal for CUB and MG&E in this settlement.
Here at CUB we’re glad that we were able to arrive at a settlement that provides a way to keep electricity rates flat while also limiting rate impacts to natural gas customers. It also gives the utility flexibility to manage costs driven by COVID-19 and limit costs for fuel to help provide savings down the road.
The proposed settlement agreement also carries forward many of the terms CUB negotiated with MG&E two years ago, such as holding the line against increases in the customer charge and maintaining the lowest profit level of the large utilities in Wisconsin.
MG&E has also committed to collaborate with CUB to assess the energy burden of those who struggle the most to pay their energy bills, especially during this year of pandemic, recession and uncertainty. CUB and MGE will use that information to try to develop effective programs to assist the most vulnerable utility customers as we go forward.
The electric rate settlement takes advantage of credit balances from fuel and federal tax costs MG&E has over-collected to help offset increases linked to new solar projects and projected lower sales due to COVID-19.
In addition, employee pension costs were driven up by downswings in the stock market earlier this year. This increase wouldn’t be collected from customers in 2021. It’s hoped that these pension costs could be much lower if the market continues to improve.
The agreement also calls for a change that could benefit customers if MG&E collects too much from customers in fuel costs. Currently, utilities retain 2% more than they budgeted for fuel burned in utility power plants. Under the proposed settlement, MG&E would only retain 1% more than the budgeted fuel cost sum in 2021. As Wisconsin utilities have regularly over-collected for fuel costs in recent years, it’s hoped that this will help to offset future possible rate increases.
The agreement also includes new rate programs, including a Bring Your Own Device program that rewards customers who save energy on hot summer days if they have a smart thermostat linked to their air conditioning system. MG&E also plans to introduce a flat bill rate pilot for customers who choose to pay a flat monthly rate for electricity from renewable energy resources, and an electric vehicle charging program for companies or organizations with a fleet of EVs.
Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Renew Wisconsin joined MG&E and CUB in this settlement agreement.
More information: MGE Settlement Agreement August 2020
Read more case documents on the PSC website.
Posted: August 18, 2020 by Corey Singletary
CUB Weekly Update 8.20.2020
Applications
Notices
Orders
Posted: August 12, 2020 by Corey Singletary
CUB Weekly Update 8.11.2020
Applications
Utility
Case Type
PSC Link
Sun Prairie Utilities
Construction
PSC REF# 394853
Two Rivers Water and Light Utility
Rates
PSC REF# 394954
City of Fort Atkinson Water Utility
Rates
PSC REF# 394862
Algoma Utility Commission
Simplified Rate Case
PSC REF# 394704
Hearings
Utility
Case Type
PSC Link
Paris Solar Farm, LLC
Construction
PSC REF# 395043
Wood County Solar Project, LLC
Construction
PSC REF# 395046
Construction
PSC REF# 395045
Notice of Proceeding/Investigation (New Cases)
Utility
Case Type
PSC Link
Madison Gas & Electric
Construction
PSC REF# 394917
Alliant Energy
Construction
PSC REF# 394921
Stocks & Bonds
PSC REF# 394918
Onion River Solar, LLC
Construction
PSC REF# 394973
We Energies
Construction
PSC REF# 394919
Wausaukee Water and Sewer Utility
Construction
PSC REF# 394915
Wisconsin Gas LLC
Other Case Types
PSC REF# 394916
Onalaska Municipal Water Utility
Rates
PSC REF# 394922
Spring Green Municipal Water Utility
Rates
PSC REF# 394920
Orders
Utility
Case Type
PSC Link
Wisconsin Public Service Corp.
Construction
PSC REF# 394706
Fuel Reconciliation
PSC REF# 394950
Madison Gas & Electric
Fuel Reconciliation
PSC REF# 394952
Xcel Energy
Fuel Reconciliation
PSC REF# 394948
We Energies
Fuel Reconciliation
PSC REF# 394947
Alliant Energy
Fuel Reconciliation
PSC REF# 394951
Documents filed on the Public Service Commission Electronic Regulatory Filing System (ERF) can be accessed directly by entering in the “PSC REF#” on the ERF home page.
Posted: August 6, 2020 by Tom Content
Annual Report Highlights 2019 Savings and Work to Modernize CUB Funding Model
CUB’s work on rate case settlements, our 40th Anniversary celebration, resources for customers impacted by COVID-19, and efforts to secure a more stable funding model are highlighted in our 2019 Annual Report , just published on cubwi.org.
CUB secured $159 million in savings in three utility rate cases last year for customers. That brings the total savings since 2006 to $3.5 billion.
The Annual Report also focuses on the challenges that Wisconsinites are
facing this year with COVID-19 and the economy.
The back page of the report highlights key contact numbers for Wisconsin utilities and resources for customers hard-hit by the recession this year.
As I mentioned in my note to members:
We need to be vocal, to all who will listen, that this is the time to ease the path toward economic recovery for low-income residents and struggling small businesses trying to make ends meet.
We need to be vigilant in making sure that monopoly utilities and utility regulators recognize the tough spot that utility customers are in this year — and may be in for a while.
The Annual Report also highlights CUB’s 40th Anniversary events celebrating the formation of the nation’s first Citizens Utility Board in 1979.
In addition, the report focuses on our work toward a Funding Modernization Plan that would give CUB additional resources to advocate for customers as it negotiates rate settlements with utilities in the years ahead. This plan is included in the PSC Omnibus Bill, AB 712, which is pending in the state Senate after passing unanimously in two legislative committees and in the state Assembly.
CUB needs more in-house experts on staff to advocate effectively for customers in an era of negotiation, rather than litigation, in rate cases. This new funding model, described in the Annual Report, costs less than two cents a month for a typical residential or small business customer of an electric utility.
CUB’s Annual Report also profiles nominees for the CUB Board of Directors and discusses our outreach and work with small businesses. As COVID-19 has canceled in-person outreach events for the time being, CUB is interested in hearing from businesses and community groups who are looking for guest speakers for virtual (Zoom) meetings. Reach out to Tom Content at content@cubwi.org.
– Tom Content, Executive Director