Madison residents are looking to gain support in signatures to increase the city’s transparency regarding energy conservation.
A petition drafted by RePower Madison requesting Madison Gas & Electric to re-evaluate their recently restructured rates has reached upwards of 750 signatures since Jan. 26.
The petition was drafted by RePower Madison, a local citizens action group asking for “fair community energy conversation,” according to their website.
The petition calls for an independent third party to record conservation conversations, the inclusion of the public to request and share information during meetings and events and the establishment of a plan to reach 25 percent renewable energy by 2025, according to their website.
Petitioners argue that these restructured rates place little incentive on energy efficiency and raise costs for low-energy users.
Steve Kraus, MG&E spokesperson, said he believes the company can benefit greatly from healthy rapport between the company and their customers.
“The community conversations are moving forward and [the company is] wanting to talk with customers and hear from customers about the future of energy in Madison,” Kraus said.
Regarding the reason citizens are reacting so strongly to the initiative, Kraus cannot speak for petitioners on their reasons, but MG&E made a commitment last year to start having conservation conversations he said.
Customer outcry is helpful for understanding how their customers are feeling and reacting to changes, Kraus said. The company has been generating space for conversation for the past 10 years.
“These conversations are community-wide conversations that go back about 10 years. It’s a chance to talk and hear from all of our customers about the future of energy in Madison,” Kraus said.
Madeline Makoul, a sophomore at University of Wisconsin and a signer of the petition, said she believes that there just needs to be more incentives in place to encourage thoughtful energy use.
“I think that MG&E just needs to know that their customers care about these issues, and that they should too. Taking away incentives to be energy-conscious is hurting the Madison community,” Makoul said.
