Eighty-two cities and villages in Wisconsin operate a municipal electric utility. It's the best choice for the community, its citizens and businesses. Here are a few of the reasons why.

Community Ownership

A municipal utility is owned by the city or village it serves. It exists to provide a public service to the residents and businesses of the community. Service -- rather than profit -- is the utility's mission.

Local Control

The rates and services of a municipal utility are governed by the municipality itself, either through the city council or village board, or an appointed or elected Utility Commission. This is the most responsive and accessible form of regulation. The utility is governed by residents of the community who are customers of the utility and are thoroughly familiar with its operations and services. If a customer has a complaint, he or she doesn't have to call "1-800-YOU'RE-ON-HOLD" to explain the problem to an operator in Dallas, Texas! The customer can discuss the problem locally, with another member of the community, and be assured that the problem will be addressed.

The Public Interest

A municipal utility is operated in the public interest, for the benefit of the residents and businesses of the city or village -- not for the benefit of stockholders who live many miles away and may have little interest in the community. In other forms of utility ownership, there is a tension between the interests of the ratepayers and the interests of the stockholders -- their interests are not always the same, and they may be in conflict.

Keeping Dollars in the Community

Here are some of the ways a municipal utility helps to maintain a sound local economy:

	Local ownership means that as much as possible of the customer's energy dollar stays in the community -- creating jobs and supporting the local economy.
	Municipal utilities serve as an engine for economic development. The excellent rates and quality service offered by municipal utilities are a big advantage for the community in attracting and retaining commercial and industrial customers.
	Municipal utilities also make payments in lieu of taxes to the city or village. These payments are similar to the tax payments that would be made by a private utility. In 2007, MEUW members' payments in lieu of taxes to their municipality totaled $14,217,052.00.
	On average, municipal utility rates are lower than those of other utilities. Lower rates means more dollars available to spend on other goods and services, which boosts the local economy.

Community Values

Decisions about the operation of a municipal utility are made locally, by members of the community, at open, public meetings. Because all decisions are made locally, a municipal utility is uniquely able to respond to the community's needs, build on the community's strengths, and reflect and advance the community's values.

Back to the top