2005 Wisconsin Act 141

• Created the State Low-Income Assistance Fee to fund utility bill payment assistance and weatherization for low-income customers across the state.
• Collected by electric utilities using a prescribed formula.
• Forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for deposit in the Utility Public Benefits Fund. 
• Is a way for the state to raise revenues to pay for specific government expenditures. 
• Is not part of MGE's rates; MGE does not profit from it. 
• Is neither a charitable contribution nor a deductible business expense for utilities or our customers.

2009 Wisconsin Act 28

• Created in the 2009 state budget bill to collect additional funds from utilities during the 2009-2011 biennial budget timeframe to cover a portion of the cost of district attorneys' budgets. 
• Charges will be included in MGE customers' bills as part of the State Low-Income Assistance Fee.

How much is the State Low-Income Assistance Fee?

Effective Aug. 1, 2009, the fee includes funding for both Act 141 and Act 28 programs. The combined fee is automatically calculated and shown on customer bills. The maximum daily charge per meter is:

Act 141 funding is capped at no more than 3% of an electric bill in a given month. Some customers may be charged less than the daily maximum charge. Those customers who use a very small amount of electricity may pay a reduced amount due to the 3% cap.

Act 28 funding is not capped.

Commercial customers with multiple electric meters may request refunds for Act 141 funding that exceeds $750 in a month.

For more information
Act 28
Act 141
2009 Budget Bill