WPS Files For Electric, Natural Gas Rate Increases

Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) filed proposals with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) this week for regulatory reviews that will set customer rates for electricity and natural gas for 2025 and 2026.

Assuming the Commission’s revenue allocation is consistent with past practice, the typical monthly residential electric bill will increase $11-$12 a month in 2025. WPS natural gas customers would see a $3-$4 increase in their monthly bills in 2025 as part of the filed plan. The typical WPS residential heating bill was down $200 this winter compared to last winter.

WPS said typical residential electric bills are significantly below the national average and in line with utilities in Wisconsin and across the Midwest, and if its request is fully approved, that will still be true.

The focus of the filing is on three key priorities: reducing customer outages, building infrastructure needed to support jobs and economic growth in Wisconsin, and meeting new EPA environmental rules.

The vast majority of the filing is to recover costs of new power plants the PSCW has already approved.

The request includes millions of dollars in savings from tax credits tied to new renewable energy facilities.

In May, WPS will update the filing to include more specific information on the impact for each customer group. The company also will provide this information to customers through a bill insert and on wisconsinpublicservice.com.

The PSCW will conduct hearings on the WPS proposals and is expected to make a final decision later this year. New rates are expected to take effect in January 2025.