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New Bremen council reviews electric-rate study; consultants recommend about 6% PSCA increase
Summary
Consultants presented an electric-rate study showing a projected near-term revenue shortfall of roughly 6% and recommended a comparable increase via the Power Supply Cost Adjustment (PSCA); council was asked to consider a Jan. 1, 2026 effective date.
On Aug. 11, 2025, the Village of New Bremen council heard a presentation from Courtney & Associates on an electric-rate study that projects a near-term revenue shortfall of about 6 percent for the village electric utility.
Consultants John Courtney and Scott Wieging told council that residential electric usage has changed very little while industrial usage has declined, contributing to a gap between projected revenues and requirements for 2025–2029. They recommended raising rates approximately 6 percent through the Power Supply Cost Adjustment, or PSCA, and suggested council consider making any change effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The presentation included example bill impacts: a household using 500 kilowatt-hours would see a rise from $64.65 to $68.30 (about 5.65 percent), and a 1,000 kWh household from $134.30 to $141.60 (about 5.45 percent). Consultants said average residential usage is about 875 kWh. They also noted the last rate increase was in 2019 and that AMP-related debt will mature in 2029.
Village Administrator Richter framed the study as a response to a downward trend in the electric fund balance and to higher material and equipment costs in recent years. No ordinance or rate change was adopted at the meeting; the study was presented for council review and potential action at a later date.
Next steps: council members were asked to consider the consultants’ recommendation and the effective-date timing; staff flagged re-evaluation of rates when AMP debt matures in 2029.
