aid: wec-energy
name: WEC Energy Group Vocabulary
description: >-
  Vocabulary and terminology for WEC Energy Group and its subsidiary utilities.
  Covers energy delivery concepts, utility operations, customer services, billing,
  energy efficiency programs, and regulatory terms relevant to Wisconsin, Illinois,
  Michigan, and Minnesota electric and natural gas service.
modified: '2026-05-03'
terms:

  - term: WEC Energy Group
    definition: >-
      A publicly traded American energy holding company (NYSE: WEC) headquartered in
      Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Serves 4.4 million electric and natural gas customers in
      Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota through regulated utility subsidiaries.
    tags:
      - Company
      - Fortune 500

  - term: We Energies
    definition: >-
      The trade name for Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC,
      subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group serving southeastern and northern Wisconsin
      with electricity and natural gas. The largest WEC subsidiary by customer count.
    tags:
      - Subsidiary
      - Wisconsin

  - term: Wisconsin Public Service
    definition: >-
      A WEC Energy Group subsidiary providing electric and natural gas service to
      more than 776,000 customers in northeast and central Wisconsin including the
      Green Bay area.
    tags:
      - Subsidiary
      - Wisconsin

  - term: Peoples Gas
    definition: >-
      A WEC Energy Group subsidiary providing natural gas service to approximately
      870,000 customers in Chicago and surrounding Cook County communities in Illinois.
    tags:
      - Illinois
      - Subsidiary

  - term: Green Button
    definition: >-
      A national initiative enabling utility customers to download or share their
      energy usage data in a standardized format. Based on the NAESB ESPI standard.
      WEC utilities support Green Button Connect My Data allowing third-party app
      access with customer authorization via OAuth2.
    tags:
      - Data Standard
      - ESPI
      - Open Data

  - term: ESPI
    definition: >-
      Energy Services Provider Interface — an ANSI/NAESB standard (REQ.21) defining
      data models and API protocols for sharing utility customer energy usage data.
      Forms the technical foundation of the Green Button initiative.
    tags:
      - Data Standard
      - NAESB

  - term: Smart Meter
    definition: >-
      An advanced meter that records electricity or gas consumption at intervals
      (typically hourly or 15-minute) and communicates data digitally. WEC utilities
      operate Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) enabling time-of-use pricing
      and automated reads.
    tags:
      - Infrastructure
      - Metering

  - term: AMI
    definition: >-
      Advanced Metering Infrastructure — a comprehensive system including smart meters,
      communications networks, and data management systems that enable two-way
      communication between utilities and customers. Allows remote meter reading,
      outage detection, and real-time usage data.
    tags:
      - Infrastructure
      - Metering

  - term: Focus on Energy
    definition: >-
      Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program funded by
      WEC and other Wisconsin utilities. Provides incentives and resources for
      residential and business customers to reduce energy consumption.
    tags:
      - Energy Efficiency
      - Wisconsin

  - term: Rate Code
    definition: >-
      A tariff classification code identifying the pricing schedule applied to a
      utility account. Common WEC rate codes include Rg-1 (residential gas),
      Rge-1 (residential electric), and Cg (commercial gas).
    tags:
      - Billing
      - Tariff

  - term: Budget Billing
    definition: >-
      A billing plan that averages estimated annual energy costs into equal monthly
      payments, smoothing seasonal bill fluctuations. Common offering from all
      WEC Energy Group utilities.
    tags:
      - Billing
      - Customer Programs

  - term: Estimated Restoration Time (ETR)
    definition: >-
      The utility's estimate of when power will be restored to customers experiencing
      an outage. Communicated via the outage map, automated calls, and text alerts.
    tags:
      - Outage Management
      - Operations

  - term: Distribution Grid
    definition: >-
      The network of power lines, transformers, substations, and equipment that
      delivers electricity from transmission systems to homes and businesses.
      WEC utilities own and operate distribution grids in their service territories.
    tags:
      - Electric Infrastructure
      - Grid

  - term: PSCW
    definition: >-
      Public Service Commission of Wisconsin — the state regulatory agency that
      oversees rates, service quality, and operations of We Energies and Wisconsin
      Public Service. WEC subsidiaries in other states are regulated by their
      respective state commissions (ICC in Illinois, MPSC in Michigan, MPUC in Minnesota).
    tags:
      - Regulation
      - Wisconsin

  - term: Natural Gas Distribution
    definition: >-
      The delivery of natural gas through pipelines from transmission systems to end
      customers. WEC Energy Group operates natural gas distribution systems in Wisconsin,
      Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota through its subsidiary utilities.
    tags:
      - Natural Gas
      - Infrastructure

  - term: Bluewater Gas Storage
    definition: >-
      A WEC Energy Group subsidiary providing natural gas storage and hub services
      in Michigan. Supplies seasonal storage for We Energies and Wisconsin Public
      Service natural gas customers.
    tags:
      - Natural Gas
      - Storage
      - Subsidiary

  - term: Outage Map
    definition: >-
      An interactive web and mobile tool showing the location, scope, and estimated
      restoration time for active electric outages in the WEC utility service territory.
      Powered by real-time operational data from the distribution management system.
    tags:
      - Customer Service
      - Outage Management