KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Plenty of opposition to Kaukauna Utilities’ proposed electric rate increase at a Thursday public hearing.
Jerry Kavanaugh is among those who oppose the bump the power company has requested to the Public Service Commission.
“It’s going to be a burden to a lot of people who are lower-middle income people.”
Leon Lutje isn’t a fan either.
“Okay, let’s do this…we’re losing this big customer, so why don’t we take the slack and just kind of cram it down the throats of the current customers. It doesn’t work that way. You’re panicking, you’re punting. It’s fourth down and you’re punting. Well, the problem is, the citizens of Kaukauna do not want to be your football.”
Jeff Feldt is Kaukauna Utilities’ general manager.
“When we filed for the rate increase, we filed for the overall average across all classes and that was 9.51%. Some classes will see a higher increase, some classes will see a lower increase.”
This after its largest customer, Appleton Coated, was sold last year and left debt.
Feldt says they now want that money to be paid by their current utility customers.
“We’re asking for the $2.2-million dollars over a period of 10 years so that we would [recuperate] $220,000 a year for 10 years.”
No word on when a final ruling will be made.
Another hearing is set for January 23 in Madison. It begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, 610 N. Whitney Way.
If you can’t make it to Madison, a conference call of the hearing will be held at 777 Island St. in Kaukauna.
