Alliant Energy Wisconsin utility submits proposal to increase rates

Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin utility announced filed a request with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) on Friday to increase its rates during 2017 to account for new clean energy investments.

“We’ve kept our eye on costs and taken a thoughtful approach to investing,” John Larsen, president of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin utility, said. “This energy rate adjustment maintains competitive rates while allowing us to continue on a path to cleaner and more reliable energy.”

Alliant Energy said that it plans to improve the safety and reliability of its electric infrastructure, expand its pipelines to offer more affordable natural gas, and enhance its clean energy facilities with the additional income from increased rates. The company will gain an additional $12.9 million from electric rate increases, and $9.2 million from increased natural gas profits.

The proposal is the utility’s first request to increase rates since 2010. It would increase average electric rates for consumers using 700kwh/month by 4.7 percent, or $4.39/month by 2018. The fixed charged would also increase from $7.67 to $12 by 2017, and $18 by 2018.

The increased investment in green technology will, however, allow the utility to offer green energy at a lower cost. The rate would decrease from $0.02/kwh to $0.014/kwh. If the proposal is approved through the PSCW, the rate increase will be effective January 1, 2017.