Kenosha Residents Struggle with Soaring We Energies Bills

Customers see nearly double their usual energy costs due to cold winter and high natural gas prices

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kenosha residents have been hit with skyrocketing electric and natural gas bills from We Energies over the past several months, with some customers seeing their bills nearly double. The utility cites a very cold winter and historically high natural gas prices as the main drivers behind the spike in costs, along with a small rate increase approved in 2024. We Energies is urging customers to contact them directly to explore payment assistance options and energy assistance programs.

Why it matters

Rising energy costs are putting a significant financial strain on Kenosha households, especially those on fixed or limited incomes. The issue highlights the vulnerability of consumers to volatile energy markets and the importance of utility companies working with customers to provide relief and support during periods of high prices.

The details

Cara Newhouse, a Kenosha resident, saw her We Energies bill jump from just under $300 to almost $600 in the span of six months. The increase has put her behind on payments, and she is now on a payment plan just to keep up. We Energies spokesperson Brendan Conway says the combination of a very cold winter, with one of the coldest in a decade, and historically high natural gas prices, particularly in January, drove the dramatic increase in customer bills. Conway also noted a small rate increase went into effect this year to fund two new liquid natural gas facilities.

  • The dramatic increase in We Energies bills for Kenosha residents occurred over the past six months.
  • A small rate increase went into effect in 2026 to fund new natural gas facilities.

The players

Cara Newhouse

A Kenosha resident who has seen her We Energies bill nearly double in the past six months, putting her behind on payments and on a payment plan.

Brendan Conway

A spokesperson for We Energies who cited the cold winter and high natural gas prices as the main drivers behind the spike in customer bills, along with a small rate increase.

We Energies

The utility company serving Kenosha and other parts of Wisconsin, which has seen a dramatic increase in customer bills due to factors beyond their control.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I just keep seeing it climb and climb and climb. I went from just under $300 to almost $600 in six months. I gotta be able to make it, and I'm doing it alone, literally solely on my own.”

— Cara Newhouse

“We really had two issues come together. We had a very cold winter, one of the coldest in a decade, and gas prices are really high, two to three times higher than normal, particularly in January. Even if you've changed nothing and said 'I have done everything I can' and your bill went up, natural gas was much more expensive this year.”

— Brendan Conway, Spokesperson, We Energies

What’s next

We Energies is urging customers struggling with high bills to contact the utility directly to explore payment assistance options and energy assistance programs that may be available.

The takeaway

The spike in energy costs for Kenosha residents highlights the vulnerability of consumers to volatile energy markets and the importance of utility companies working closely with customers to provide relief and support during periods of high prices. With the assistance programs available, it is crucial for struggling customers to reach out to We Energies to find solutions and avoid potential disconnections.