Corporate Discounts for Energy, Consumers see Increase in Energy Bills. Any wonder who's in Control?

Tough times for consumers has prompted Wisconsin utility companies to give them a discount on their bills...just kidding. Actually, they've worked out a corporate discount during these difficult times, making up the difference by charging you and me higher prices.

But that's okay, it isn't like the government passed cap and trade, making companies pay more for energy that in turn gets passed along to the us. Whew, dodged a bullet there.

A utility consumers group has filed a lawsuit against state regulators challenging a June decision to permit Wisconsin Power & Light to give industrial customers discounts on electric rates.

The Citizens Utility Board complains the discounts could drive up rates for residential customers to make up the difference.

Not surprisingly, an official announcement by the utilities hasn't been possible since there's no real excuse.

Officials at the Public Service Commission didn't immediately return a message. Steve Schultz, a spokesman for WP&L parent company Alliant Energy, had no immediate comment.