On hot summer days when there's little or no surplus electricity in populous areas, generators can charge prices far in excess of production costs. Utilities pass on these increased costs to their customers. Over the past decade, Wisconsin has enjoyed strong economic growth and nearly full employment. But uncertainties about energy costs and availability pose a significant threat to the future. Energy issues are extremely important both to Wisconsin's traditional businesses and its emerging New Economy firms.
Energy affects every aspect of their operations and is a prime factor in their location decisions.
Energy interruptions mean lost product and lost customers. Unreliability and high prices can cause companies to consider locations in other states. In addition, most of Wisconsin's businesses are small companies with fewer than 100 employees. Energy price hikes threaten their existence and place in jeopardy the jobs they maintain. That's one reason the quality, cost and reliability of energy are major issues to labor.