Overview
- We Energies filed for residential electric increases that would add about $13 a month in 2027 and another $8 to $9 in 2028, which equals roughly a 14% jump by 2028.
- Wisconsin Public Service, another WEC Energy Group utility, sought base‑rate increases of 6.3% in 2027 and 3.5% in 2028, which it says would add about $11 a month next year and $5 to $5.50 the year after.
- The companies say the higher bills would pay for new solar, wind, battery storage and natural gas units and for grid work such as tree trimming, burying lines and replacing aging equipment.
- A new rate class for data centers is part of the filing, with We Energies estimating data centers would cover about $2.2 billion of project costs in 2027, $2.8 billion in 2028 and $1.9 billion in other charges over two years, and the utility says those costs would not shift to other customers.
- The PSC must approve any changes, with a decision on the data‑center rate expected in April and broader base‑rate rulings later this year, while consumer advocates warn households could still face cost shifts and politicians in both parties criticized the plan.