Citizen Action Weekend 2025 Newsletter, Friday, September 12th
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Citizen Action Northwest Organizing Cooperative opposes Xcel Energy’s outrageous proposed rate hikes and reliance on fossil fuels at Eau Claire PSC hearing.
Citizen Action of Wisconsin and Healthy Climate Wisconsin teamed up to oppose Xcel Energy’s attempt to sharply raise electric and gas rates (while boosting shareholder profits) at a Public Service Commission hearing in Eau Claire on Thursday. Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s Northwestern Co-op Organizer, Jeremy Gragert, worked with Citizen Action members Pamela and Brian Guthman to share testimony and raise awareness in the press.
Read WQOW 18 News story.
Pamela Guthman, DNP, RN APHN-PHN, is also a leader with Healthy Climate Wisconsin, and is an emeritus Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UW-Eau Claire. She worked to recruit fellow health professionals to provide testimony about the importance of affordability and ending investment in fossil fuels, in order to advance climate and health equity.
Xcel is proposing a 19% electric rate increase over two years, and 14.2% natural gas increase over two years, while asking for an increase to their guaranteed profit margin, or return on equity, from 9.8% to 10%. Written public comment to the Public Service Commission on the rate case is open through September 15.
To submit a written public comment, click here.
Learn More About NEW State Legislation: 2% of Income Utilities Cap
The Problem: Basic Utilities are Increasingly Unaffordable.
Working class households and communities of color have the least disposable income yet live in older houses and apartments that are less energy efficient, and therefore more expensive to heat and cool. The result is the families least able to afford it pay the largest proportion of their income on utilities. Many families pay 6% of their incomes and more (even 10% to 15%), being forced to choose between health and lighting and other necessities such as rent, food, and medical care. This is why many communities dread April 15th, when it is legal for utilities to cut off service to homes that are behind on their bills.
Home electricity and heating is controlled by utilities which prioritize profits over all else. In 2022 alone, Wisconsin’s five largest energy utilities reported a combined $1.3 billion in profits. The burden of these windfall profits falls squarely on Wisconsin families. Exploiting their lucrative government-mandated monopoly over necessities of modern life, big for-profit utilities are the driving force behind high prices for heating and lighting our homes and fossil fuel emissions that are driving the climate crisis.
The Solution: A 2% of Income Rate Cap.
Several states have laws capping the percentage of income people have to pay for utilities. Wisconsin has no limit. Citizen Action members are working with State Representative Darrin Madison on a bill that will cap the percentage of income households must pay for electricity and heat to the affordable level of 2% of income. The bill is a win-win for family budgets and for the environment.
- A Rate Cap Guarantees Utilities are Truly Affordable. By capping electricity and heating costs at 2% of household income, everyone regardless of their wealth or the age of their house or apartment will be guaranteed they can afford a vital necessity of life without sacrificing other necessities. Working class communities will no longer have to worry about their lights being shut off after April 15th every year.
- A Rate Cap Will Help Address the Climate Crisis. Big Utility profit motive will be aligned with the financial interests of Wisconsin families and the pressing need to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Eliminating the perverse incentive where big utilities profit from excess energy use, the rate cap will force them to choose between reduced profits and helping improve the energy efficiency of our homes and providing access to rooftop solar power and other renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Join Our Movement
Citizen Action of Wisconsin believes that energy is a basic right, not a luxury. Together, we can break the stranglehold of utility companies and build a more just, sustainable future.
To join our organizing fighting climate change, contact: Kat.Klawes@citizenactionwi.org
Get on the Doors with Citizen Action talking to voters about healthcare!
We are talking to voters this Fall in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wausau, Neenah, Sturgeon Bay, Milwaukee, La Crosse, and many more places about why Wisconsin hospitals charge so much when they create health care deserts across the state or drop critical services communities need most, like mental health care, substance use treatment, and primary preventive care.
We are discussing new state legislation, the Hospital Accountability Act that is a first step to creating an affordable accessible health care system that works for patients.
Learn more about the bill.
Join our healthcare organizing, contact: Kristie.Tweed@citizenactionwi.org
Attend Climate March at the State Capitol with Citizen Action Sunday, September 28th, Noon.
Citizen Action of Wisconsin members are uniting with partners across the state to demand bold action on climate change and a just transition to a clean energy future.
Together, we are fighting for the Climate Accountability Act, a comprehensive plan that holds polluters accountable, invests in renewable energy, creates good-paying green jobs, and protects our communities.
By marching together, we send a clear message: Wisconsin needs a real climate plan, and we need it now.
This march is part of a national movement demanding that our leaders take immediate, bold action to address the climate crisis. Across the country, communities are rising up to fight for clean energy, environmental justice, and policies that put people before polluters. By joining the Wisconsin Climate March, you’re helping build statewide and nationwide momentum for transformative change.
- When & Where: Saturday, September 28, 12–2 PM at the Wisconsin State Capitol
- How to Join: We’re organizing carpools and buses from across the state. After you register, you’ll receive transportation details, pickup spots, and ride coordination.
Questions? Contact Citizen Action’s Climate Action Policy Coordinator at kat.klawes@citizenactionwi.org.
Citizen Action Southeast Organizing Co-op Weekly Update
🌍 Climate Team – Thursday, September 18 at 6 PM
Our Climate Team is launching! Come be part of the first meeting as we fight for clean energy, good jobs, and climate justice.
🏥 Medicaid Team – Wednesday, September 24 at 6 PM
Join us at the Citizen Action office as we continue organizing to protect and expand health care.
🌎 Climate March – Sunday, September 28
People power in the streets! On September 28, we’ll march together to demand bold climate action that matches the urgency of this moment.
🚪 Canvassing
We’re gaining new members every week out on the doors. Canvassing is fun, outside, and full of great conversations—come join us!
To get more information about any of these events or to get involved with us, contact: Ruben.Aquino@citizenactionwi.org
Citizen Action in the News
Citizen Action Northwest Organizing Co-op members pushed back on a massive rate increase demanded by Xcel Energy, and pushed for renewable energy that lowers costs and addresses the climate crisis. Citizen Action member Pamela Guthman and organizer Jeremey Graegert are quoted. See coverage from ABC TV 18 Eau Claire.
To take direct action on the climate crisis, urge your legislator to support the Climate Accountability Act.
Listen to “GROWWing Organizing” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
We discuss the murder of Charlie Kirk this week and how despite the shooter still being at large (as of our tapping of the show), many in the MAGA movement rush to make political hay, including Wisconsin’s Derrick Van Orden, with some even calling for retribution against progressives and the news media when the killers motives are still unknown. This is both dangerous, and distracts attention from lack of gun laws and mental health interventions to make the public safer.
Turning to much better news, we focus on the organized fight back against factory farm pollution in Western Wisconsin by local residents with the support of (GROWW) Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin. We talk about the critical role this authentic brand of community organizing can play in rebuilding our democratic institutions.
We announce Citizen Action’s involvement in a Climate March at the State Capitol, Sunday, September 28th @ 12 Noon, which is to national climate actions around the country. Robert updates us on Caledonia residents pushing back against another data center and the politics behind it. We also discuss a federal court blocking enforcement of EPA Ozone Standards in Southeast Wisconsin. Why is a Democratic AG siding with the business lobby?
We take an early sneak peek at the 2026 elections, where more Democratic candidates have entered in the last month. Finally, the controversy continues on charges that Senate Democrats are picking primary candidates and trying to squelch competitive primaries.
Listen to the show.
RSVP for the Climate March, Sunday, September 28th, Noon.
Social media post of the week
