Political activities

We advocate on behalf of our customers, stockholders and employees for safe, reliable and affordable energy before local, state and federal elected officials and government agencies. We maintain governmental and regulatory relations offices in Chicago, Illinois; Rosemount, Minnesota; Madison, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Washington, D.C. We also hire contract lobbyists and work with trade organizations to assist in advocacy activities. Our lobbyists are lawfully registered in each jurisdiction where they perform services for us.

We have multiple political action committees (PACs). Our PACs are registered with their regulating governments (state or federal) and authorized by elections laws to collect voluntary contributions from employees who choose to participate. The money, in turn, is used to support candidates running for federal, state and local offices.

Contribution amounts are limited by law. All of our PACs are administered by a committee that combines appointed and elected members. Oversight committees make decisions on how and where dollars are spent.

We have a corporate policy on political contributions and reporting, and periodically conduct training on compliance with lobbying laws. As part of its oversight function, the board’s Audit and Oversight Committee, which consists solely of independent directors, conducts an annual review of this policy. The committee also reviews a summary of political activities and associated reporting excerpted from the Corporate Responsibility Report in advance of its publication each year.

Corporate political donations

Our Government Relations Policy sets forth the standards and requirements that govern our interactions with public officials, and addresses the process for requesting and authorizing contributions to organizations operating under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code and organizations that qualify as national political committees. Corporate contributions adhere to all applicable federal and state laws where we do business. We use corporate funds to support candidates and causes to benefit energy safety, reliability and affordability, without regard for executives’ personal political preferences.

Lobbying

WEC Energy Group files federal quarterly lobbying reports and semiannual contribution reports with the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and the secretary of the U.S. Senate. These reports are located at house.gov and senate.gov.

Reports for WEC Energy Group’s political lobbying activities at the state level are available from the Wisconsin Ethics Commission (lobbying.wi.gov), Michigan Department of State (https://www.michigan.gov/sos/), Office of the Illinois Secretary of State (https://www.ilsos.gov/lobbyistsearch/) and Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (cfb.mn.gov).

Our direct lobbying is conducted in support of our corporate initiatives and targets, including our greenhouse gas reduction goals. It is consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement and restricting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Political contributions

For an up-to-date list of WEC PAC Wisconsin contributions, search for “WEC Energy Group PAC” at: https://cfis.wi.gov/Public/Registration.aspx?page=FiledReports.
For an up-to-date list of WEC conduits, search for “WEC Energy Group PCA” at: https://cfis.wi.gov/Public/Registration.aspx?page=ViewConduitContributions.
For an up-to-date list of WEC PAC federal contributions, search for “WEC Energy Group” at: https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/.
For an updated list of MIPAC contributions, search for “Wisconsin Electric” at: https://miboecfr.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cfr/exp_anls.cgi

Trade organization memberships

Trade association dues and 501(c)(4) contributions, January 2019-June 2024
Trade Association and Climate Engagement Report