MGE officials say they had seen the comments filed by CEA but were not involved in the PSC filing or any telephone polling that would have created a list of supporters.

“We are not involved with this group,” MGE spokesman Steve Kraus said.

CEA does not maintain an office in Wisconsin but it counts Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce among its members.

Electric utilities in Wisconsin and in other states are struggling with how to cover the fixed costs of operating and maintaining electric systems amid the increase in solar power usage and energy conservation. They want to dramatically hike the monthly service fees for most customers while reducing charges for the amount of electricity consumed.

Critics contend the changes will discourage customers from using less electricity and are simply a way for utilities to maintain profits and protect their investment in plants that burn coal or natural gas.

Last year, the state's largest electric utility We Energies was granted a 20 percent increase in fixed charges by the PSC and is now proposing a 75 percent jump in its fixed charge to $16 a month.