MILWAUKEE — “Power in numbers” was the theme on the evening of December 3 as the Citizens Utility Board celebrated the 45th anniversary of its founding in 1979.
Wisconsin was the first state in the country to create a nonprofit consumer advocate for utility customers. CUB gives voice to residential, farm and small business customers in cases involving monopoly utilities.
It was 50 years ago this fall that consumer crusader Ralph Nader unveiled his “Self-Defense Plan for Utility Customers.” Nader called for the creation of residential utility consumer action groups in each state to provide greater balance between utility shareholders and customers at public utility commissions where decisions involving monopoly utilities are made…