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.
Posted: October 13, 2021 by Tom Content
Prepare for higher heating costs this winter
Brace yourselves for higher heating bills this winter, Wisconsin. Wisconsin utilities and the Energy Information Administration are warning of higher heating costs this winter given natural gas prices that are twice what they were a year ago. Depending on how severe the winter is, households could pay hundreds of dollars more this winter compared with …
Posted: September 7, 2021 by Tom Content
MG&E Settlement: Clear Wins for Customers Include $4 Drop in Fixed Fee, $2 Million in Savings
MADISON – The Citizens Utility Board announced significant wins for Madison Gas & Electric’s residential and small business customers in a rate settlement filed with the Public Service Commission. Among the wins: $2 MILLION PER YEAR IN SAVINGS: The size of the overall increase customers would face is $2 million per year below what MGE …
Posted: August 30, 2021 by Tom Content
Making Strides in a Tough Year: CUB Releases Annual Report, Announces Annual Meeting
CUB’s annual report highlights savings for customers, advocacy for those less fortunate during the pandemic and our work to position CUB for stability and strength in the years ahead. The 2020 Annual Report, available here, provides a snapshot of what Your Independent Consumer Voice worked on during the pandemic. The report thanks loyal CUB members …
Posted: March 23, 2021 by Tom Content
Legislature Passes Bill to Strengthen Advocacy for Residential, Small Business Utility Customers
A plan to help level the playing field between consumers and utilities when it comes to advocacy for fairness and affordability is on the way to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk, after the state Senate unanimously endorsed it in a voice vote Tuesday. The bill, AB 27 and SB 47, received widespread bipartisan support, with unanimous …
Posted: February 26, 2021 by Tom Content
$387 Million in Emergency Rental Aid Will Help Struggling Wisconsin Utility Customers
In response to the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin and local units of government have $387 million available to help renters with overdue rent payments and utility bills. Wisconsin’s Department of Administration this week unveiled a new $322 million program that will help renters pay overdue rent and utility bills. The program implements …
Posted: February 15, 2021 by Tom Content
Feb. 15, 2021: CUB Applauds Move to Analyze Utility Customers’ Energy Burden
The Citizens Utility Board on Monday welcomed the state Public Service Commission’s move to have utilities measure the energy burden faced by their customers across the state. Starting this June, utilities will provide energy burden data to the PSC each year. The PSC also announced it is requiring utilities to file data regarding the diversity …
Posted: January 27, 2021 by Tom Content
What’s Ahead for CUB in 2021
Affordability. Fairness. Equity. Safety. These are front and center for CUB as we gear up for another year as the voice for small businesses, homeowners and renters across Wisconsin. Let’s take a quick look at the trends we’re seeing for 2021 affecting the energy and utility landscape. First off, the pandemic. As we all continue …
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 …
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 …
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 …