Council Adopts Resolution in Opposition to Latest Round of Proposed We Energies Rate Hikes

# Milwaukee Council Opposes We Energies Rate Hike—Again

On May 12, the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing We Energies' proposed rate increase for 2027-2028 and authorized the City Attorney to formally intervene in the case before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Introduced by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, this resolution directs city officials to fight the utility company's request in state regulatory proceedings. The resolution is a formal statement of the city's position and gives legal standing to challenge the rate hike through the PSC process.

This matters to your wallet and your neighbors' wallets. We Energies is proposing a 10.28% increase in January 2027 and another 5.52% increase in January 2028—adding more than $23 per month to the average residential electric bill once fully implemented. Combined with previous rate hikes (11% in 2022 and 13-14% in 2024), Milwaukee residents have seen their electric bills jump roughly 32% since 2022, with another 16% increase on the horizon. That's a staggering 50% total increase in just six years for a typical household.

What happens next: The Public Service Commission—not Milwaukee's Common Council—has final authority to approve or reject rate increases. However, by authorizing the City Attorney to intervene, Milwaukee joins the case as an official party, allowing the city to present evidence and arguments on behalf of residents. The PSC will review We Energies' justification (the company says it needs funds for infrastructure and renewable energy) against the city's objections. Residents can also submit their own comments directly to the PSC to make their voices heard during the regulatory process.