Customer groups want We Energies to set aside millions in savings from power plant closure

MADISON — Customer groups are asking state regulators to force We Energies to set aside tens of millions of dollars in savings from closing a Pleasant Prairie power plant to help defray customers' bills.

The utility closed the plant April 3. The Citizens Utility Board, the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group and the Wisconsin Paper Council filed a joint petition with the state Public Service Commission late Monday asking the panel to order the utility to set aside savings from closing the plant.

The groups want We Energies to use that money to defray rates when the utility resets them next year. The groups estimate We Energies will save up to $217.5 million before the reset.

We Energies spokeswoman Amy Jahns says company officials are reviewing the petition and had no further comment.