Aug. 14--A utility watchdog group received more than $253,000 in funding Thursday to hire expert witnesses who will testify about more than $300 million in power price increases sought by several Wisconsin utilities, including We Energies.

The Citizens' Utility Board received more than $93,000 in funding from the state Public Service Commission for We Energies' proposal to increase electricity rates by $126 million in 2010. The group also received $99,000 for a pair of rate cases involving the Green Bay electric utility Wisconsin Public Service Corp. The remainder will be spent in rate cases involving two Madison-based utilities.

"We're glad that Wisconsin has a program for providing compensation to groups like CUB because otherwise residential customers would not have any representation in issues before the commission," said Charlie Higley, the group's executive director. "Utilities spend far more in making their case for higher rates, whereas there's less money available for protecting the interests of customers."

At its meeting Thursday, the commission pared CUB's request in the We Energies case by $16,000.

Several of the price increases are controversial this year because utilities are asking for permission to raise rates in part because power sales are declining. That's a main factor in the increase proposed by Wisconsin Power & Light Co. of Madison and a key factor driving the proposed We Energies increase.

"There are many cases before us that require a sophisticated level of analysis when considering the economic impacts," said Eric Callisto, commission chairperson, in a statement.

Among issues his group will explore, Higley said, is how high the state should set the allowed profit level, or return on equity, for the utility.

Public hearings on the rate cases are expected in the fall.

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