Nearly 70 people attended as CUB celebrated 40 years of work for the people of Wisconsin and its founding by the Wisconsin Legislature in the fall of 1979.
The bill creating a nonpartisan consumer advocate for customers of Wisconsin’s utilities was signed into law 40 years ago this week by Republican Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus.
CUB recently feted the occasion with appetizers, cake and apple cider. In remarks to those gathered, PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq praised the
CUB leadership and former leaders celebrate 40 years at CUB’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in Madison: From left, board member Carol Stemrich, outreach/communications manager Richard Storck, former executive director Kira Loehr, board vice president John Hendrick, executive director Tom Content, board president Eileen Hannigan, former board members Don Wichert and Andy Olsen, board member Joel Dresang, and utility analyst Corey Singletary. Former executive director Charlie Higley, not picture, also attended.
organization for its work but noted that Wisconsin has more to do. Other Midwestern states fund the role of the consumer advocate for residential customers at a much higher level than CUB, she noted.
Valcq presented a commendation from Gov. Tony Evers saluting CUB on its 40 years of advocacy.
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, R-New Berlin, chair of the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee, said that CUB’s focus on the price consumers and small businesses pay is crucial, because the energy costs are among the factors that business owners cite when they decide where to locate their firms. Kuglitsch agreed that a more sustainable and stable funding source was a priority for him.
Jim Wahner, the retired Assembly Majority Leader, wore a CUB button from 1979 and recounted tales of meeting with members of “Nader’s Raiders” as one of the first people to listen to Ralph Nader’s vision for a residential utility consumer advocacy group, or RUCAG, in every state in the country. Wahner said he liked everything about the concept except that acronym, and a team from Wisconsin eventually came up with “CUB.”
Eileen Hannigan, CUB Board President, said that Wisconsinites should be proud of how Wisconsin has been on the cutting edge, as the first state to regulate utilities, the first state to ratify women’s right to vote and of course the first state to create a CUB.
Tom Content, CUB Executive Director, said the evening was all about thanking everyone responsible for helping give CUB the staying power to survive financial challenges and make it to its 40th birthday. Over that time, that’s tens and tens of thousands of folks, from lawmakers and canvassers to board members and employees to donors and volunteers.
Content’s goal for CUB is to have it not just fight to survive, but for it to be able to thrive, in the years ahead. Wisconsin has finally answered the question about whether CUB can continue to exist.
Content’s vision for the next 10 years is a more effective CUB with more resources that is able to operate more effectively in a world in which CUB is now across the table negotiating with utilities rather than fighting via litigation in PSC cases.
CUB would like to thank its sponsors for the event, especially Host Sponsor American Family Insurance and Program Sponsor SlipStream. CUB would also like to thank our networking sponsors Arch Electric, Evolution Marketing, Eileen Hannigan and Family and Milwaukee Comedy. We have been fortunate to also have support from our small business members – Bounce Milwaukee, HGA, Healium Hot Yoga, Lakefront Brewery, Outpost Natural Foods and Reynolds Transfer and Storage. In 2019 we were fortunate to be able to help promote and educate about energy savings to our members thanks to support from outreach and education sponsor Focus on Energy.
Here is a copy of the Proclamation signed by Gov. Tony Evers, presented to CUB:
WHEREAS; the Citizens Utility board of Wisconsin is the oldest Citizens Utility Board in the country, having been created by the Legislature in 1979 and opened in 1980; AND
WHEREAS; the mission of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin is to advocate for fair, safe, and reliable, electric gas and water utility services on behalf of small-scale consumers across our state, from individuals to small businesses; AND
WHEREAS; throughout its 40 years of existence, the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin has provided public interest legal services to ensure representation and fair prices for individuals, families, and communities; AND
WHEREAS; the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin operates with the guiding principle that small-scale consumers should have access to the same advocacy resources and legal expertise that powerful energy monopolies and big businesses are afforded;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin, congratulate the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin upon their 40th Anniversary of dedicated service to utility customers throughout our state.
Crudite and antipasto station – New Grist Gose with Lime & Salt
Pretzel Display station – Riverwest Stein American Amber Lager
Bacon Wrapped Brat Station – Lakefront Lager
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms – Hazy Rabbit IPA
About CUB Small Business Membership
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 farmersfor 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.
CUB Celebrates Staying Power at 40th Anniversary Celebration
Posted: November 22, 2019 by Tom Content
Nearly 70 people attended as CUB celebrated 40 years of work for the people of Wisconsin and its founding by the Wisconsin Legislature in the fall of 1979.
The bill creating a nonpartisan consumer advocate for customers of Wisconsin’s utilities was signed into law 40 years ago this week by Republican Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus.
CUB recently feted the occasion with appetizers, cake and apple cider. In remarks to those gathered, PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq praised the
organization for its work but noted that Wisconsin has more to do. Other Midwestern states fund the role of the consumer advocate for residential customers at a much higher level than CUB, she noted.
Valcq presented a commendation from Gov. Tony Evers saluting CUB on its 40 years of advocacy.
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, R-New Berlin, chair of the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee, said that CUB’s focus on the price consumers and small businesses pay is crucial, because the energy costs are among the factors that busine
ss owners cite when they decide where to locate their firms. Kuglitsch agreed that a more sustainable and stable funding source was a priority for him.
Jim Wahner, the retired Assembly Majority Leader, wore a CUB button from 1979 and recounted tales of meeting with members of “Nader’s Raiders” as one of the first people to listen to Ralph Nader’s vision for a residential utility consumer advocacy group, or RUCAG, in every state in the country. Wahner said he liked everything about the concept except that acronym, and a team from Wisconsin eventually came up with “CUB.”
Eileen Hannigan, CUB Board President, said that Wisconsinites should be proud of how Wisconsin has been on the cutting edge, as the first state to regulate utilities, the first state to ratify women’s right to vote and of course the first state to create a CUB.
Tom Content, CUB Executive Director, said the evening was all about thanking everyone responsible for helping give CUB the staying power to survive financial challenges and make it to its 40th birthday. Over that time, that’s tens and tens of thousands of folks, from lawmakers and canvassers to board members and employees to donors and volunteers.
Content’s goal for CUB is to have it not just fight to survive, but for it to be able to thrive, in the years ahead. Wisconsin has finally answered the question about whether CUB can continue to exist.
Content’s vision for the next 10 years is a more effective CUB with more resources that is able to operate more effectively in a world in which CUB is now across the table negotiating with utilities rather than fighting via litigation in PSC cases.
CUB would like to thank its sponsors for the event, especially Host Sponsor American Family Insurance and Program Sponsor SlipStream. CUB would also like to thank our networking sponsors Arch Electric, Evolution Marketing, Eileen Hannigan and Family and Milwaukee Comedy. We have been fortunate to also have support from our small business members – Bounce Milwaukee, HGA, Healium Hot Yoga, Lakefront Brewery, Outpost Natural Foods and Reynolds Transfer and Storage. In 2019 we were fortunate to be able to help promote and educate about energy savings to our members thanks to support from outreach and education sponsor Focus on Energy.
WHEREAS; the Citizens Utility board of Wisconsin is the oldest Citizens Utility Board in the country, having been created by the Legislature in 1979 and opened in 1980; AND
WHEREAS; the mission of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin is to advocate for fair, safe, and reliable, electric gas and water utility services on behalf of small-scale consumers across our state, from individuals to small businesses; AND
WHEREAS; throughout its 40 years of existence, the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin has provided public interest legal services to ensure representation and fair prices for individuals, families, and communities; AND
WHEREAS; the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin operates with the guiding principle that small-scale consumers should have access to the same advocacy resources and legal expertise that powerful energy monopolies and big businesses are afforded;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin, congratulate the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin upon their 40th Anniversary of dedicated service to utility customers throughout our state.
Category: CUB Events, CUB News, Uncategorized Tags: 40th Annivesary, CUB founding, Events