Since Oct. 2, 2000, customer bills have included a separate line item called Non-taxable Customer Charge. The fee is a fixed charge assessed only to your electric bill and is capped at a certain rate, depending on customer class.

Reason for the Charge
Wisconsin Act 9 transferred responsibility for administering and expanding public benefits programs from public utilities to the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Administration (DOA). We collect the charge for the DOA’s Utility Public Benefits Fund, which is used for energy assistance to low-income households, expansion of state energy conservation and efficiency programs, and renewable energy development.

Low-income Assistance
Programs consist of bill payment assistance for income-qualified households, weatherization and early identification and prevention of energy crises.
 
Energy Conservation
Programs administered by Wisconsin Focus on Energy target energy efficiency services and renewable resource and research programs.
 
Other Fund Uses
The legislature is considering the use of public benefits funds to address the state budget deficit. For more information, contact your state representative or state senator.

Adjusting the Charge
DOA reviews the fees once a year and makes changes based on a formula that factors in the needs of low-income households in the state and whether or not current funding levels can satisfy those needs, along with funding the energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. Any changes take effect on July 1.

Cost
Residential and farm customers (Rg1, Rg2, Fg1) are charged whatever rate is lower - 3% of the total electric bill or a flat $2.97 per month. For other customers, the charge is whatever rate is lower – 3% of the total electric bill or the fee listed below.

Each customer is subject to a monthly limit of $750.

Cost History (Commercial/Industrial)

Sales Tax
The Non-taxable Customer Charge is not subject to sales tax.

Charge Differences among Utilities
All residential customers in Wisconsin (Rg1, Rg2, Fg1) have the same maximum amount per month for the Non-taxable Customer Charge. Differences exist for other customers; however, the legislation states that the charge cannot vary within rate classes. Since each utility has different rate classes for their non-residential customers and varying numbers of customers in each rate class, fees vary by utility.

Multiple accounts (cottage, business, residence, etc.)
Every electric account with a facilities charge, whether residential or commercial, is charged a Non-taxable Customer Charge. If you have multiple accounts with multiple facilities charges, you are charged the Non-taxable Customer Charge that corresponds to the rate class assigned to each account.

Exemptions
No customers, including low-income customers, are exempt from this charge.

Payment Refusal
The charge is subject to late payment charges. If a sufficiently large unpaid balance accumulates on a customer's account, the account may be subject to bill collection procedures and shut-off as for any other non-payment. Utilities cannot cancel or waive the Non-taxable Customer Charge.

Payment Assistance
If you have difficulty paying your bill and qualify for assistance, call us at 800-842-4565.

More Information
Customers can seek more information about programs and this fee at Focus on Energy, 800-762-7077.