Wisconsin Utility Regulator Looks Into Low-Income Assistance Programs

Friday, June 16th, 2023 -- 8:19 AM

(By Joe Schulz, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin’s utility regulator received input from customers this week to help guide an investigation into alternative low-income assistance programs at two of the state’s largest utilities.

According to Joe Schulz with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, or PSC, hosted listening sessions in Green Bay and Milwaukee on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.

The listening sessions stem from rate increases regulators approved late last year for two WEC Energy Group utilities, We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, or WPS. We Energies primarily serves electric and natural gas customers in the southeast part of the state and the Appleton area, while WPS serves electric customers and natural gas customers in northeast and central Wisconsin.

As part of approving those rate increases, the PSC is working with the utilities and ratepayer advocates to look into new assistance programs for low-income individuals. One possibility the commission is examining is a Percentage of Income Payment Pilot, or PIPP.

It would cap utility bills at a certain percentage of household income. The listening sessions provided a space for customers to ask questions of regulators, ratepayer advocates and the utilities themselves, as well as share their experiences.

Ratepayers also had the option to submit written comments. The Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin is one of the entities working with utilities and the PSC to investigate new programs. Tom Content, the nonprofit’s executive director, said utility customers are "feeling the squeeze" from rising energy costs.

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