Is Wisconsin Public Service Corp cheaper than Northern States Power Co?

No — in 2024 Wisconsin Public Service Corp customers averaged 16.23 cents/kWh versus 15.83 for Northern States Power Co (EIA-861). Northern States Power Co was cheaper by 0.40 cents, about $44 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Wisconsin Public Service Corp to Northern States Power Co?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Wisconsin has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.

Why is Wisconsin Public Service Corp more expensive than Northern States Power Co?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Wisconsin Public Service and Northern States Power territory all feed the 0.40-cent gap.

Wisconsin Public Service Corp vs Northern States Power Co: Which Is Cheaper? (Wisconsin, 2024)

Northern States Power Co customers paid less: an average 15.83¢/kWh in 2024 versus 16.23¢/kWh at Wisconsin Public Service Corp (EIA-861) — a gap of 0.40¢/kWh, worth about $44 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 5 WI counties (Iron, Lincoln, Marathon, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (WI, EIA-861)

Wisconsin Public Service Corp vs Northern States Power Co — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Wisconsin Public Service Corp	Northern States Power Co
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	16.23	15.83
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	16.57	16.03
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,753	$1,710
Residential customers (2024)	411,775	220,574
Ownership	Investor-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in WI	22	28

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Wisconsin Public Service Corp · Northern States Power Co · Wisconsin overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Iron · Lincoln · Marathon · Oneida · Vilas counties (WI, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Wisconsin Public Service Corp and Northern States Power Co do not compete for the same meters. Wisconsin is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (psc.wi.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Wisconsin Public Service Corp cheaper than Northern States Power Co?: No — in 2024 Wisconsin Public Service Corp customers averaged 16.23 cents/kWh versus 15.83 for Northern States Power Co (EIA-861). Northern States Power Co was cheaper by 0.40 cents, about $44 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Wisconsin Public Service Corp to Northern States Power Co?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Wisconsin has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Wisconsin Public Service Corp more expensive than Northern States Power Co?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Wisconsin Public Service and Northern States Power territory all feed the 0.40-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.