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: April 29, 2022 by Tom Content
Big Rate Hikes Sought for We Energies, WPS
Half of Wisconsin’s utility customers are facing big rate hikes in 2023 after We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service filed proposals Thursday to increase rates by more than 8% and 6%. This comes at a time when energy prices are already being affected by global market factors that have raised the price of natural gas, …
Posted: March 31, 2022 by Tom Content
PSC Approves Costly Natural Gas Plant
State regulators on Thursday voted 2-to-1 to approve a proposal from Milwaukee and Green Bay utilities to build a new natural gas power plant at a cost of $171 million. The Citizens Utility Board urged the Public Service Commission to vote against the plant, citing concerns over the utilities’ overly optimistic assumptions about future natural …
Posted: January 20, 2022 by Tom Content
Power Plant Projects Need Rigorous Review
As 2022 starts we are gearing up for a big year with a high-profile rate case involving the two utilities owned by WEC Energy Group, We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service. While we prepare for that, it hasn’t been a quiet time in the PSC case arena. Our regulatory team is focused on plans for building new power …
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
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: February 26, 2021 by Tom Content
$387 Million in Emergency Aid for 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
CUB Applauds Move to Analyze Utility 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
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 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 …