Across the Milwaukee area this week, We Energies customers opened their latest statements and felt their stomachs drop. After months of relatively tame charges, many say their bills suddenly jumped by hundreds of dollars, with some households reporting totals in the $300 to $600 range. Screenshots and stories are now ricocheting through neighborhood groups and local newsrooms as families scramble to rework budgets and trim nonessential spending.
Residents have been sending copies of their bills to reporters, including a Milwaukee customer charged $392, a Burlington household hit with $495 and a Fort Atkinson family billed $563. One Waukesha homeowner said her total came to $233, as reported by TMJ4. The station’s social media feeds quickly filled with similar photos and complaints, and many viewers told journalists their latest bills appeared to be roughly double what they had been paying in recent months. Several customers who spoke with local outlets say they are now cutting back wherever they can to cover the surprise costs.
Company Cites Cold Snap, Gas Markets And Higher Usage
We Energies is pointing to a familiar winter trio to explain the sudden pain: colder-than-normal weather, higher global natural gas prices and increased usage. The utility says those factors combined to push up the fuel portion of customer bills and notes that it passes natural gas costs through to customers without adding a markup. The company has published guides that walk through how heating degree days, usage and market prices show up on a typical statement and is urging customers to compare their current usage with past months online, according to We Energies. Spokespeople are also encouraging anyone confused by their total to call in for a detailed, line-by-line review.
Rate Hikes Add To Winter Sticker Shock
The timing of the spike is not purely about the weather. It is landing on top of multi-year rate cases that have already added a few dollars a month for many residential customers, as utilities work to recover costs tied to grid upgrades and new projects. Regulators and consumer advocates, including the Public Service Commission and the Citizens Utility Board, have noted that base-rate changes are phased in and can magnify seasonal swings in gas and electric use. That layering effect helps explain why bills look especially large this winter, since even modest increases in usage can translate into outsized changes in the final total, according to CUB.
Tools, Assistance And Next Steps For Customers
We Energies says it offers several options to help soften the blow of seasonal spikes, including Budget Billing, payment plans, online usage graphs and other account tools. Customers who are struggling can call 800-242-9137 or use the company’s website to set up payment arrangements. The utility also points people toward rebates and energy-efficiency programs available through Focus on Energy and provides an example bill that breaks down each line item so customers can spot unusual usage or charges, according to We Energies. Those who suspect a mistake are urged to request an itemized review as soon as possible and to contact consumer advocates if the problem is not resolved…