Testimony on Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas 2026 Rate Case

Client: Walnut Way Conservation Corporation

Author: Elizabeth A Stanton, PhD

August 2026

On behalf of Walnut Way Conservation Corp., Principal Economist Dr. Elizabeth A. Stanton prepared expert testimony before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in response to the Joint Application filed by Wisconsin Electric Power Company (Wisconsin Electric) and Wisconsin Gas LLC (Wisconsin Gas) (collectively, the “Joint Applicants”) seeking authority to increase electric, natural gas, and steam rates in Docket No. 5-UR-112. Dr. Stanton's testimony (1) evaluates the customer affordability impacts of the Joint Application, with a particular focus on household energy burden and the effect of proposed rate increases on Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas customers; (2) assesses whether the Joint Applicants have adequately accounted for customer affordability and equity considerations; and (3) provides recommendations for the Commission’s consideration.

Link to Testimony

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Risks of New Gas-Fired Plants in Southeastern States

Client: Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

Authors: Tanya Stasio, PhD, Joshua R. Castigliego, and Elisabeth Seliga

June 2026

Across the Southeastern United States, rising electric demand and ongoing reliability challenges are prompting utilities to propose new gas-fired resources to help meet future system needs. At the same time, regulators are looking for solutions to provide greater energy affordability in the face of high electricity and fuel costs. Major investments in gas-fired power plants, pipelines, and related facilities put customers at risk for increasing electric rates and energy bills. This Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) report, prepared on behalf of Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), identifies eight risks to electric utility customers that could cause higher energy rates and bills:

1. Growing cost of gas-fired power plants

2. Supply chain constraints

3. Volatile and uncertain gas fuel prices

4. Lack of resource diversity

5. Dependence on out-of-state gas supply

6. Stranded assets due to uncertain forecasts

7. Stranded assets due to more stringent climate policy

8. Stranded assets from existing or more stringent environmental regulations

To ensure that customers’ electric bills remain affordable, while also considering how states will adapt to the region’s anticipated growth in electric demand, policymakers, regulators, and utilities must assess whether pursuing additional gas-fired resources would expose ratepayers to unnecessary risk.

Link to Report

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