Wisconsin Public Service Seeks 14% Residential Rate Increase
Wisconsin Public Service requested a residential rate hike to fund grid modernization, sparking opposition from consumer advocates and gubernatorial candidates.
The Wisconsin Public Service Corporation has requested a residential electric and natural gas rate increase to fund infrastructure modernization and grid reliability. The utility proposes a total electric rate hike of approximately 14%, split between 9.7% next year and 4.3% the following year, alongside a natural gas increase of about 11% in 2027. The company states the filing includes $132 million in savings from federal tax credits and earnings sharing, with funds earmarked for burying power lines, tree trimming, and replacing aging equipment to reduce outages.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Citizens Utility Board, which argues that home energy costs are already climbing faster than inflation and that approval would mark six consecutive years of rate increases. The request has also entered the political arena, becoming a point of contention in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. Candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley both oppose the hike, with Tiffany pledging to appoint commissioners who prioritize affordability.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin held hearings on September 29, 2026, at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay and online to review the proposal and public testimony. A final decision from the regulatory body is expected by the end of the year.
