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Legislation is under consideration at the Capitol (AB 493/SB 559) that would allow for third party development of solar generating facilities without having to submit to standard utility regulation. These proposals are unfair to utilities, and potentially harmful and costly to consumers and utility investors alike.

Under these so called “community solar” bills, developers could build solar projects exempt from public utility regulation. However, the incumbent utilities would be required to distribute the electricity, manage the billing and credit system, and purchase excess high price power from these projects. These costs would be passed on to non-participating utility customers.

These projects would likely displace a portion of the utility scale solar projects planned or currently being permitted for construction in the near future. Since utility scale solar projects are, without question, the lowest cost means of generating solar electricity, this unfair competition would be harmful to consumers because high cost “community solar” would displace a portion of lower cost utility scale solar generation. This would also adversely impact utility investors.

Some have suggested that “community solar” projects would be a form of free market competition. The reality is that under the bills, they benefit from a unique regulatory framework with guaranteed subsidies and requirements that utilities provide the distribution network, along with having to purchase high priced excess power and manage the billing system. The bottom line is that “community solar” is only viable with subsidies from incumbent utilities.

Experience in other states has shown that “community solar” has proven to be a costly mistake. In neighboring Minnesota, “community solar” pricing is set at a rate as much as 100 percent higher than utility scale solar.

Please take a moment to contact your State Senator and Representative and urge them to vote against these bills. Go to WUIINC.org and click on “Find My Legislators” and enter your street address on the top line. You can then click on their email addresses and send them a message.  

Rebecca Valcq, who served as chair of Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and led several state energy offices, was named the next president of Alliant Energy.

Alliant announced David de Leon, President of Alliant, will retire effective July 1, 2026. Rebecca “Becky” Valcq, who served as chair of the PSC between 2019 and 2025, will take his place as company president.

“David’s 39 years of service are a true reflection of his dedication to our customers, communities and employees across Iowa and Wisconsin,” said Lisa Barton, president and CEO of Alliant Energy, in a statement. “Throughout his career, he championed safety, reliability and community partnership, leading with integrity, care and a deep commitment to serving others. We are grateful for his leadership, and the positive, lasting impact he has had on our employees and the customers who depend on us every day. On behalf of the board of directors, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”

Valcq began as President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin energy company and Vice President of Energy Delivery on January 5, 2026, officials said. She joined Alliant Energy in 2024 as Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.

In early 2024, Valcq resigned from chair of the PSC after serving for five years. Governor Tony Evers said it was “an honor and pleasure” to work with her. She also led several state offices for energy, broadband, and energy innovation.

Valcq will have overall accountability for Alliant’s performance in the state, officials said. She will oversee Wisconsin-based operations while supporting customer growth. She will also lead operations support and economic development reports across both Iowa and Wisconsin, officials added.

Valcq serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute, the National Utilities Diversity Council and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, officials said. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Drake University and a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School.

The electric grid operator for the upper Midwest has tapped two out-of-state firms to build high-voltage power lines in Wisconsin, bypassing joint proposals that included ATC and Dairyland Power Cooperative.

The decisions came after the Legislature failed to pass legislation that was designed to give utilities with existing infrastructure in Wisconsin the first crack at building the lines. Conservative groups opposed the bill — dubbed right of first refusal — arguing allowing them to be competitively bid would drive down the cost of the work.

MISO selected Ohio-based Viridon Midcontinent LLC for a 106-mile 765 kV line in southeastern Wisconsin. The company’s bid of $349 million for the work was less than the other three proposals submitted for the line.

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator said in the announcement it had concerns that Viridon had understated the capital costs, but “offered cost containment strong enough to likely ensure the lowest cost to the ratepayer even if its estimated costs rose significantly.”

The Board of Directors of Xcel Energy has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 57 cents per share. The dividends are payable January 20, 2026, to shareholders of record on December 29, 2025.

We Energies has been named recipient of the 2025 ReliabilityOne® Award for outstanding reliability performance in the Upper Midwest.

The award is given to utilities that have excelled in delivering the most reliable electric service to their customers. The recognition, which is based on performance for the year 2024, is presented by PA Consulting.

“This award is a testament to the skill and dedication of our employees, and to the investments we’ve made and work we do every day to ensure reliable service for our customers,” said Mike Hooper, President — We Energies.

We Energies has made investments in the grid to improve performance and recovery from storms. The company is upgrading aging systems, burying hundreds of miles of power lines, adding high-tech equipment that reduces the impact of power outages, and trimming back branches and removing trees along thousands of miles of power lines. These investments are helping to modernize the company’s delivery systems, reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency.

Alliant Energy has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Manu Asthana as a new Independent Director, effective February 23, 2026.  

Asthana, 52, brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across the energy and financial services sectors, with deep expertise in electric and gas markets, grid operations, power generation and trading, risk management, retail energy, customer solutions and enterprise strategy. He most recently served as President and CEO of PJM Interconnection, the largest power grid operator in North America. 

“We are pleased to welcome Manu to Alliant Energy’s Board of Directors,” said Patrick Allen, Independent Board Chair of Alliant Energy. “Manu brings deep expertise in the utility industry, grid operations and energy markets, having led large, complex organizations within the sector. His perspective and experience will strengthen the Board’s collective ability to guide the company’s long-term strategy and support long-term growth for the customers and communities Alliant Energy serves.”

Xcel Energy employees, contractors and retirees, supported by the company’s Foundation, provided over $14 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours in 2025 to support charitable organizations and causes.

Throughout the year, they embraced opportunities to donate their time and act on a shared commitment to making a difference in their communities, volunteering nearly 60,000 hours. The Foundation expanded its giving impact this year by investing nearly $5 million in grant funding to 400 nonprofit organizations across its eight-state service area. These grant recipients align with the Foundation’s three primary focus areas: STEM career pathways, community vitality and environmental sustainability.

The company’s 2025 Day of Service engaged 2,900 volunteers who committed nearly 8,900 hours to support 99 nonprofit projects. Among the many other impacts of these projects, volunteers packed 81,600 meals for hunger relief efforts in local communities and assembled 6,600 kits to support teachers and students during the school year. The Power Your Purpose Giving Campaign raised nearly $2.8 million to support 1,400 organizations.

Construction on the Whispering Willow North Battery Energy Storage System” (BESS) project in Franklin County, Iowa, is underway. According to Alliant Energy, installation of the electrical conduits and concrete foundations is underway for the 75-MW BESS. This critical first step is required to safely interconnect and then operate the BESS for about 20 years.

“Battery storage systems are essential to meeting growing energy demand, boosting the reliability of the grid,” said Dave Herkert, AVP of Strategic Projects at Alliant Energy. “By storing excess energy and releasing it to the grid during times of need, battery storage plays a critical part of our long-term plan to expand capacity and maintain reliability while keeping customer bills as low as possible.”

The project, located at the intersection of Eagle Avenue and 170^th Street in Latimer within Franklin County, will be constructed on a portion of a site that’s just over 9 acres, just south of Alliant Energy's existing substation. Construction involves civil preparation of the site, installation of equipment foundations, battery containers, power conversion systems, and related equipment, wiring, and conduit to support their function. Auxiliary transformers, switchboards, light poles and perimeter fencing will also be installed before the BESS is placed into operation in late 2026.

The state Public Service Commission has approved the WE Energies purchase of four large wind, solar and battery projects totaling over 450 megawatts.

(The four projects approved by the commission will provide more than 450 megawatts of energy, according to We Energies, or enough to power around 150,000 homes. We Energies expects the projects to come online in 2027 and 2028.)

Two of the projects include the 200-megawatt Ursa Solar Park in Columbia County and Wood County's 150-megawatt Saratoga Solar Energy Center. The Wood County facility will also include a 50-megawatt battery storage plant.

The commission also approved the Whitetail Wind Farm in Grant County and the Badger Hollow Wind Farm in Iowa and Grant counties. These facilities will provide up to 185 megawatts.

We Energies will own the majority of each facility. The rest is split between Madison Gas & Electric and the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, another subsidiary of We Energies.

“The new projects will serve customers year-round and are expected to provide customers millions of dollars in fuel cost and federal tax credit savings," according to We Energies’ President, Mike Hooper.

The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group has announced that it is planning to raise the quarterly dividend on the company's common stock to 95.25 cents per share in the first quarter of 2026. This would represent an increase of 6.0 cents per share, or 6.7 percent.

The directors expect to declare the new dividend at their regularly scheduled meeting in January. The dividend — which would be equivalent to an annual rate of $3.81 per share — would be payable March 1, 2026, to stockholders of record on February 13, 2026.

"The board's review today is consistent with our ongoing plan targeting a dividend payout ratio of 65 to 70 percent of earnings," said Scott Lauber, president and CEO. "The projected dividend for 2026 is in line with the company's objective to grow the dividend at a 6.5 to 7 percent compound annual rate."

In addition, the company introduced earnings guidance for 2026. “Calendar year 2026 earnings are expected to be in a range of $5.51 to $5.61 per share, which is consistent with our short-term projected EPS growth guidance. Our long-term EPS growth over the next five years is projected to be 7 to 8 percent on a compound annual basis,” he said.