MADISON, Wis. (WHBL) -- Alliant Energy is asking state officials to allow them to raise their rates.
Spokesperson Annemarie Newman says this is a modest increase in the electric bill. "Our customer rates would go up about 4.7 percent by 2018. So by 2018 the bill would be about $4.39 a month higher for the average residential customer." The increase for natural gas customers would be about $3.47 a month as well. Newman says their request would be phased in over the course of two years. "So if this were approved, it would not hit all of it right away in 2017. There would be about 3% or so in 2017 and then a little bit more in 2018."
That increase will be paying for improvements in their coal facilities in Sheboygan and Portage, and overall system upgrades.
The Public Service Commission will be discussing and reviewing the request this year and should have a response by the end of 2016.