Big Wis. energy users get breaks on rate increases

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Big energy users in Wisconsin are getting breaks on rate increases at the expense of other businesses and homeowners.
    
Regulators worked to limit utility rate increases for big factories and other large energy users this year, and that means higher power prices for others.
    
Public Service Commission chairman Phil Montgomery tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the move is by design and is meant to foster Gov. Scott Walker's job-creation goals.
    
In rate cases finalized last month involving utilities in Milwaukee, Madison and Eau Claire, large manufacturers received smaller increases than homeowners and other businesses.
    
Commissioner Eric Callisto, who chaired the commission under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, broke from the Republicans on the commission in objecting to the breaks for large manufacturers because they pushed rates higher for other businesses.