We Energies, city of Waukesha receive Urban Forestry Council award

Posted by Bob Zahn

We Energies and the city of Waukesha have received a joint award from the Urban Forestry Council, recognizing the partnership that was formed to address two blocks of trees in the north central section of the city that had grown too large for the urban environment. We worked with the city to develop a plan to remove the trees and replace them with utility-friendly alternatives. We handled the initial trimming to remove the branches that were mingling with the power lines. The city completed the task by removing the rest of the trees, trunks and stumps. This spring, we are helping with the purchase of trees that the city will plant. 

The Urban Forestry Council award was presented during the annual conference of the Wisconsin Arborists Association. Learn more about our forestry work.

Here is how things looked before the project, which removed the trees and stumps. This spring, new trees will be planted that will not interfere with power lines.

How we handle rental property account responsibilities

When you rent, sometimes heat is included and electricity is not. Or maybe you pay for all utilities. Or maybe utilities are included in rent. Responsibility for energy bills in rental properties can be confusing, particularly during times when a property is not occupied or shifts from one tenant to another.

"For residential rental properties that have a meter for each unit, we bill renters directly unless the property owner or manager asks to receive the bills," says John Zaganczyk, our director of customer services. When residential rental properties have a single meter for more than one residential unit, Zaganczyk says the property owner or manager gets the bill.

In situations where a renter vacates a unit, any unpaid balance is transferred to the renter's new account with us -- provided the customer remains in our service area and gets a new account. If the customer does not get a new account, we issue a final bill to the customer. Property owners or managers are not responsible for accounts billed in tenant names.

When units with a dedicated meters are not rented, we attempt to contact the owner or manager to determine responsibility for service. During such times, the owner or manager can choose one of the following options for vacant units:

- The owner accepts responsibility for energy service between tenants.
- We Energies terminates service to unit, provided there is no danger to human health or life, or property damage.
- The owner provides the name of a responsible party, typically a new tenant.

Zaganczyk points out that rental property owners and managers also can set up owner agreements with us in advance to indicate how to handle service for the times between tenant occupancies. The options, similar to those listed above, are available on our website: http://www.we-energies.com/business/pro ... /index.htm

In some instances, a third party may request service. For example, a parent might request service for a son or daughter renting an apartment near a university. If the parent or third party does not already have an account, we may require an application for service via phone, letter or in person.

Anyone with questions about rental unit service and billing should call us at 800-242-9137 to learn more about our terms and conditions.

Point Beach credits set to expire

Our customers will see their electric bills rise Jan. 1 as credits for the sale of Point Beach Nuclear Plant come to an end.

Since 2008, we have refunded more than $800 million to customers from the sale of the plant to NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc. of Juno Beach, Fla.

Bills for our largest customers -- factories and other large businesses -- will rise about 13 percent on average. These customers, who received the most credits because of their greater energy use, will see the greatest change in their bills. Other business customers can expect electric bills to rise 8 to 10 percent while residential customers can expect an increase of less than 5 percent.

For business customers in particular, the credits have helped offset increases on their bills tied to higher fuel costs and power plant construction.

To help customers prepare for the Point Beach credit adjustments, we have communicated the coming credit expiration via messages on bill inserts over the past two years. In recent months, we have communicated directly with large commercial, industrial and municipal customers to help them prepare and budget their energy costs.

Try some no-cost or low-cost energy savings

Consider some no-cost ways to save energy/money this winter:

Adjust your thermostat 
In addition to turning down your thermostat's typical setting to save, turn it down another 5 degrees at night or when leaving your home for an hour or more to save up to $70 on energy costs each year. If you buy a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the temperature settings automatically when sleeping or away. If you qualify to join Energy Partners, you can get a free one.

Adjust your hot water temperature
A setting of 120 degrees is recommended. If your temperature is more than 120, a 10-degree reduction can save 3 to 5 percent on water heating costs -- about $6 to $10 a year. If you buy a water heater blanket, you can reduce the energy needed to maintain hot water in the tank. View a video on how to check and adjust temperature.

Take advantage of sun
Open window coverings on south-facing windows to help warm your home and close window coverings in rooms that receive no direct sunlight to reduce window drafts. At night, close all window coverings to retain heat. Up to 15 percent of your heat can escape through uncovered windows.

Wash in cold water
Washing clothes in cold water can save about $40 a year with an electric water heater and about $30 a year with a gas water heater.

If you spend a little money, here are some additional ways to save:

Replace your furnace filter
Dirty filters reduce airflow and make equipment use more energy. Replace the furnace filter monthly during the heating season to reduce heating costs by up to 5 percent or about $35 a year. If you spend more, you can buy a high-efficiency filter that can last several months.

Install low-flow showerheads and faucets
Low-flow equipment can reduce hot water consumption as much as 10 percent -- about $6 per year for a sink aerator and $20 per year for a showerhead.

Change from incandescent to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
CFLs cost more but save about $50 over the life of each bulb.

Weatherize your home
You can save up to 10 percent in heating and cooling costs by sealing cracks to the outside by weather-stripping doors, adding gaskets to outlets and switches on outside-facing walls and sealing windows and gaps along the foundation.

These measures require more investment but offer long-term return:

Insulate
Adding insulation to the attic and unfinished basement walls and crawl spaces is an easy and cost effect project. Adding wall insulation is more complicated, so consult a contractor. Proper insulation and weatherization can save as much as 20 percent in heating and cooling costs.

Buy more efficient appliances
The growing number of appliances and electronics are becoming a larger part of energy bills. Next time you need a refrigerator, washer, dryer, furnace, TV, computer or other device, consider one with an ENERGY STAR® rating, which can save up to $75 a year compared to less efficient models.

Need more ideas? Check out our 101 energy tips.

PSCW to hold hearings for proposed biomass facility

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) will hold public hearings Nov. 30 in Rothschild, Wis., on our application to construct a biomass-fueled cogeneration plant at the Domtar Paper Mill in the village of Rothschild.

The public hearings will be at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Rothschild. Administrative Law Judge Michael Newmark will preside over the hearings. The PSCW also will hold a technical hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 at the PSCW office in Madison.

The hearings represent the final steps in the plant's approval process. The PSCW decision is expected in early 2011. If approved, the targeted in-service date for the plant is late 2013.

We filed our application on March 10, 2010, for approval to build and operate the 50-megawatt plant, which will supply steam for Domtar's mill operations as well as electricity for our customers.

Biomass energy project

Interactive map shows power outage locations

You now can view power outages on the We Energies system on a map.

The map shows outage locations in our service area by county and municipality. To ensure customer privacy, the map does not provide detail at a street or address level.

A number of electric utilities across the country have something similar, and we also heard directly from our customers through surveys and feedback that they wanted this feature on our website. 

The map is updated every 15 minutes and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and shows: 

· Outage locations
· Numbers of customers affected
· Times outage were reported

The map also includes a search function for specific locations, such as ZIP code areas. The map has no provision for outage reporting, so you still need to call us at 800-662-4797 to report an outage.

We Energies outage map

New service center planned for Menomonee Falls

We are planning to build a new service center for the first time in two decades. Located in Menomonee Falls, Wis., the center will combine operations of the current Menomonee Falls Service Center and certain functions of the Calumet Service Center in Milwaukee. When the new service center is finished next fall, Calumet will be closed. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 16 at the new location, which is at the intersection of Lilly Road and Warren Street.

Several years ago, Village of Menomonee Falls officials identified the existing Menomonee Falls Service Center as prime for retail development and offered to relocate it to a new property. The project was approved after careful consideration on the impact a move would have on operations and customer service.

“This is an opportunity to replace a 45-year-old facility with a new, energy-efficient service center and to promote economic development within the Menomonee Falls community,” said Art Flowers, area manager – Customer Operations. “Plus, operating out of the new location will allow us to improve customer response times – a win for all involved.”