Following today’s PSC decision to approve construction of more than $1.5 billion at two natural gas plants in Oak Creek and in Kenosha County for We Energies, the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin released this statement from Tom Content, executive director:
“This is an unfortunate outcome for customers of We Energies. Given the gold rush and irrational exuberance with AI data center fever, CUB maintains it is uncertain how much energy demand will grow, and how soon, to approve more than $1.5 billion in natural gas plants at this time.”
“This decision heightens CUB’s focus on the data center tariff case that We Energies has filed. The tariff case will determine the rates charged to data centers, and the protections the PSC may impose to protect other customers. CUB will press for robust and enforceable consumer protections to ensure that costs be borne by tech companies and not shifted to other customers across the state.”
“CUB is pleased that the PSC will launch an investigation to address issues CUB raised about cost overruns with utility building projects, but we needed to see additional protections in place already for these projects.”
“We Energies put the cart before the horse on this project and didn’t provide a firm, ironclad commitment on how much energy the data center will require.”
“The unprecedented scale of surging demand for power cries out for innovative approaches on how to regulate utilities. The priority going forward is for the PSC to adopt a better, more streamlined planning process to evaluate utilities’ emerging needs and the best ways to meet those needs.”
CUB is the consumer advocate in Wisconsin for residential and small business customers of the electric, natural gas and water utilities across the state. CUB advocates for the public interest, for safe, reliable and affordable utility service and fairness for utility customers.
