The public gets a chance next week to comment on a rate hike request from the state's largest utility company.
WE Energies actually wanted to ask for a two year twenty-four percent increase but selling the Point Beach nuke plant changed that. The utility will use proceeds from the sale to knock the request down to fourteen percent over two years.
But Charlie Higley at the Citizens Utility Board will argue before the Public Service Commission that the request should be even lower.
Higley thinks it should be more like four percent over two years. The PSC staff is recommending a five percent hike over four years.
WE Energies says it needs the money to meet the power demand by building more generating plants and to meet the rising energy costs. The utility says its rates are still competitive nationwide.
The public hearings begin in several locations starting next Tuesday.
AUDIO: Jim Dick reports ( 1:12 MP3 )
