The state Public Service Commission held public hearings simultaneously both Tuesday afternoon and evening Madison, Appleton, Milwaukee and Racine. The heard from a lot of folks complaining about We Energies rate hike request in a down economy. Senior citizen Beverly Lehman in Appleton has to pay her monthly bill plus what she still owes from last winter out of her social security calling it “a sacrifice.”
Racine’s Jim Bell spoke against the proposed increase saying his company Conway Freight made cuts to survive and get back to profitability.
The utility’s claims the requested rate hike of 7-percent is because of declining power sales, new plant, higher transmission and rising employee pension costs.
Technical glitches in the phone conferencing will lead to another public hearing at a later date.
Contributed by Tom Karkow-WRJN
