Join the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin for a deep dive into the evolving energy landscape at our upcoming Consumers Forum on Energy Affordability, designed to bring together business leaders, consumer advocates, and policy makers. Attendees will leave with actionable solutions and practical actions that their organizations can take to help address the energy affordability challenge.
The 2026 energy landscape in Wisconsin is rapidly changing, bringing new challenges that impact every household, small business and community. Cost pressures are mounting for the utility system, even before the arrival of data centers. Now, as utility rates rise and the demand for electricity grows, Wisconsin businesses and citizens are increasingly wondering, “How much more can we pay?”
The Forum will dig into how businesses, community leaders and citizens can advocate for utility affordability. We’ll also showcase actions that can be taken to ensure that our investor-owned utilities are accountable to Wisconsin customers — from farmers to Main Street businesses to homeowners and renters. Remedies include better cost control; real, visible long-term planning; and better profit regulation. We will talk about all of these aspects.
What Will Be Covered?
- Fact vs. Fiction: We will clear up common misconceptions about utilities and energy efficiency. You will understand better how utilities make money and get a better sense of which energy efficiency steps you can take to cut your energy use and save on energy costs.
- Understanding Cost Drivers: We will break down exactly how inflation, shifting fuel costs, and the rapid expansion of massive industrial infrastructure projects—such as new data centers—are influencing the rates on your monthly bill.
- Energy 101 & The Regulatory Process: We will demystify how electricity regulation works in Wisconsin and how utility prices are actually determined. We will provide a clear overview of how utility rate cases work and how those decisions directly affect affordability for both residential and business customers.
- Consumer Advocacy: You will learn how to effectively voice your concerns and why your input is a critical check-and-balance in the energy decision-making process. We’ll discuss the opportunities currently available for policy makers and stakeholders to ensure a fair and reliable system.
- Roundtable Convening: CUB leaders will be hosting roundtable discussions with all attendees, where we will listen to your questions and concerns, and hear your insights.
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