WEC Energy Group serves parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan through three main utilities

WEC Energy Group is a holding company that owns and operates three electric and gas utilities: Wisconsin Electric Power Company (serving Milwaukee and northeastern Wisconsin), Wisconsin Gas Company (serving central and southern Wisconsin), and Peoples Energy (serving northern Illinois and Michigan). If you receive a bill from any of these three companies, you are a WEC customer. The group does not operate in all states or all parts of the states where it does business — service territory depends on which utility owns the lines in your specific area.

WEC Energy is a publicly traded company regulated by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Michigan Public Service Commission. This means the rates you pay, the service standards the company must meet, and how it handles customer disputes are all set by these state agencies, not by WEC itself. Understanding which regulator oversees your account matters because each state has different rules for billing, disconnection, and complaint procedures.

Key Takeaways

  • WEC Energy Group owns three utilities — Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas, and Peoples Energy — each serving different geographic areas in the Midwest.
  • Your rates and service standards are set by your state's public utility commission, not by WEC, and vary by state and utility.
  • You can view your account details, pay your bill, and report outages through the online portal or mobile app for your specific utility.
  • If you believe your bill is wrong or have a service complaint, your state's public utility commission has a formal process for disputes that does not cost you money.

Which WEC utility serves your address

Wisconsin Electric Power Company serves the Milwaukee area and extends north and east into Door County, Sheboygan County, and surrounding areas in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Gas serves central and southern Wisconsin, including Madison, and also operates in parts of Illinois. Peoples Energy serves northern Illinois (including parts of the Chicago area) and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The easiest way to know which company bills you is to look at your bill — the utility name appears at the top.

If you are moving to a new address or want to confirm which utility serves a specific location, you can enter your address on the WEC Energy Group website or contact the utility directly by phone. Each utility has its own customer service number, which also appears on your bill. Service territory maps are available on each utility's website and show the exact boundaries of where they operate.

How to read your WEC Energy bill and understand rate components

Your WEC bill breaks into several parts: the customer charge (a fixed monthly fee), the energy charge (based on how many kilowatt-hours you used), and any applicable taxes or surcharges. The customer charge covers the cost of maintaining the lines and equipment that deliver power to your home, regardless of how much electricity you use. The energy charge is what you pay per kilowatt-hour — this rate varies by time of year and by utility, and it changes when the Public Service Commission approves a rate increase.

Your bill also shows your meter reading (or estimated reading if the meter was not physically read that month), the number of days in the billing period, and your average daily usage. If you want to track your usage month to month, most WEC utilities offer online tools that show hourly or daily consumption. Some customers also have the option to enroll in time-of-use rates, which charge different prices during peak and off-peak hours — this can lower your bill if you shift usage to cheaper times, but it requires a compatible meter.

Taxes and surcharges appear as separate line items. These may include state and local sales tax, utility tax, and cost-recovery charges approved by regulators to fund specific programs like energy efficiency or infrastructure upgrades. You cannot avoid these charges, but understanding what they are helps you see where your money goes.

Payment options and account management

WEC utilities accept payment by phone, online, by mail, and in person at authorized payment locations. Online payment through your utility's website or mobile app is the fastest and most find method — you can set up one-time payments or automatic recurring payments from a bank account. If you pay by phone, a fee may explore depending on the payment method. Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill and typically take 7 to 10 days to post to your account.

You can view your account balance, payment history, and usage details by creating an online account on your utility's website. This portal also lets you report outages, request a meter reading, and update your contact information. If you have questions about a specific charge or want to dispute a bill, you can submit a formal inquiry through the same portal or by calling customer service.

What to do if you receive a disconnection notice

WEC utilities must follow state law before disconnecting your service for non-payment. In Wisconsin, the utility must send you a written notice at least 10 days before disconnection, stating the amount owed and your right to request a hearing. In Illinois and Michigan, timelines and notice requirements differ — check your state's Public Service Commission website for the exact rules that explore to you.

If you receive a disconnection notice, contact your utility when ready. Many utilities offer payment plans for customers who cannot pay in full, and some have hardship programs that reduce or defer payments based on income. Your state's Public Service Commission also has rules about disconnection during winter months in cold climates — utilities in Wisconsin and Michigan cannot disconnect for non-payment during the winter heating season if you meet certain income thresholds or have a medical hardship.

If you believe the disconnection is improper or you want to dispute the amount owed, you can request a hearing before your state's Public Service Commission. This process is free and does not require a lawyer. The commission will review your account and the utility's actions before allowing disconnection to proceed.

How rate increases work and how to comment on them

WEC utilities do not set their own rates — the Public Service Commission in each state reviews and approves rate changes. When a utility wants to raise rates, it files a formal case with the commission, which includes detailed financial information about the utility's costs and the reasons for the increase. The commission then holds public hearings where customers and other interested parties can testify or submit written comments.

You can find information about pending rate cases on your state's Public Service Commission website. Wisconsin's commission is the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Illinois has the Illinois Commerce Commission, and Michigan has the Michigan Public Service Commission. Each agency publishes a docket or case number for rate cases, and you can search by utility name to see what is currently pending.

To comment on a rate case, you can attend a public hearing (dates and locations are published in advance) or submit written comments by the important date set by the commission. You do not need to be a lawyer or informed — personal testimony about how a rate increase would affect your household is valuable and is heard by the commission. Some utilities also hold their own customer meetings to explain proposed changes, though these are separate from the official regulatory process.

Reporting outages and service problems

If your power goes out, you can report it through your utility's website, mobile app, or by calling the outage hotline number on your bill. The utility will confirm whether the outage is in your area and provide an estimated restoration time. During major storms, the utility updates outage maps online showing how many customers are affected and which areas are being restored first.

If you experience frequent outages or believe the utility is not maintaining its lines properly, you can file a complaint with your state's Public Service Commission. The commission tracks service reliability data and can investigate whether the utility is meeting its obligations. You can also contact your state representative or local alderman — many utilities are required to report service metrics to local government.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if WEC Energy serves my address?

Check your electric or gas bill — the utility name appears at the top. If you do not have a bill, enter your address on the WEC Energy Group website or call the customer service number for the utility you think serves you. Each of the three utilities (Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas, and Peoples Energy) has its own service map showing exactly where it operates.

Can I switch to a different electric company?

No. WEC utilities have exclusive service territories set by state law, meaning you cannot choose a different provider based on price or preference. However, you can reduce your bill by using less electricity, enrolling in time-of-use rates if available, or asking about low-income information programs your utility offers.

What happens if I think my bill is wrong?

Contact your utility's customer service and explain the issue — they will review your account and meter reading. If you remain unsatisfied, you can file a formal complaint with your state's Public Service Commission at no cost. The commission will investigate and can order the utility to correct the bill or refund overcharges.

Are there programs to help me pay my bill if I cannot afford it?

WEC utilities offer payment plans and some have hardship programs for low-income customers. Contact your utility directly to ask what programs you may be able to use. Your state's Public Service Commission website also lists energy information programs funded by the state or federal government that may help with bills.

How often can WEC raise my rates?

There is no fixed schedule — utilities can file for rate increases whenever they believe their costs have risen significantly. However, the Public Service Commission reviews each request and can deny or reduce the increase. You can track pending rate cases on your state commission's website and comment during the public hearing process.