Milwaukee to hold hearing on converting We Energies into public ownership

Milwaukee will hold a public hearing on converting We Energies into public ownership. 

The hearing is before the Public Transportation, Utilities and Waterways Review Board on June 24 at 9 a.m. in Room 301-B at City Hall. 

The issue would ultimately be before the Public Works Committee but this hearing before the review board opens the issue for consideration and allows for a deeper discussion about the issue. 

At the center of the discussion is Chapter 197, a Wisconsin state law surrounding municipality power over utilities. 

An attorney with the Democratic Socialists of America will explain the law and a representative with American Public Power Association will present followed by public comments. 

Converting We Energies to public ownership has long been an issue that DSA campaigned on. Ald. Alex Brower, a member of DSA, is on the review board. 

“This gives us the opportunity to have a longer public comment period, and longer testimony, and more in depth discussion,” he said.

About 1 in 7 Americans live in a municipality where they get electricity from a public power utility.

“Energy bills for customers in Milwaukee remain below the national average,” said We Energies spokesman Brendan Conway.

“As part of a larger network, We Energies can draw on experienced crews, modern equipment and a depth of technical expertise to restore power quickly and maintain reliable service. This has resulted in customer savings and reliability that has been recognized by independent experts across the country. 

“In addition, We Energies is aggressively supporting the climate goals of the city. In fact, We Energies is partnering with the city on numerous solar projects that create local jobs and power the local grid with clean energy.

“These benefits would be virtually impossible to replicate through municipalization.”