Wednesday, September 2: Ratepayers rally against We Energies increase, Legislative committee releases PFAS settlement money, Milwaukee tightens restrictions on Flock camera use and the U.S. House votes to avoid government shutdown
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“They're asking for $480 million — $480 million on top of hundreds of millions that they've asked for in previous years. We have a right to be angry. We literally have a right to be angry. But being angry has never reduced our energy bill. Not one time.”
– Antonio Butts, executive director of Walnut Way Conservation Corps arguing against We Energies’ proposed rate increases
Yusuf Adama of Walnut Way speaks against We Energies' proposed rate increase at a rally in Milwaukee Sept. 1, 2026. (Photo by Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner)
At a rally outside the We Energies offices Tuesday morning and at a public hearing on the utility’s proposed rate increase in the afternoon, Milwaukee residents complained that the company is trying to raise money that would go to building data center infrastructure and executive salaries on the backs of Milwaukee residents struggling to get by. Opponents also argued that Wisconsin needs to change direction as the state continues to fall behind its neighbors in renewable energy development. Henry Redman reports.
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee approved the release of nearly $10 million in PFAS settlement funds to the Department of Natural Resources Tuesday, concluding a years-long process to offer help to residents of Marinette County whose drinking water was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. Baylor Spears reports.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and Milwaukee Police Department announced this week they’re tightening the restrictions on Flock surveillance systems amid accusations of officer misuse and growing opposition to the AI-powered cameras from the public. Isiah Holmes reports on the updates.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 370-48 to pass a stopgap funding bill that will keep the government open through Dec. 11, avoiding a repeat of last year’s historic 43-day government shutdown. All eight of Wisconsin’s representatives voted in favor of the bill. Jennifer Shutt of our D.C. Bureau reports.
More from Washington:
ICYMI
The U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
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