Wisconsin · investor-owned utility
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS): power factor rules
Large customers (over 1,000 kW) on schedule Cp pay a reactive demand adjustment when the average power factor is below 80%.
Power-factor rule confirmed Tariffs checked 2026-10-03
Smaller customers
We did not find a power-factor billing provision in the Cg general-service schedules. Their rules page refers to a power factor clause that we could not locate, so we can't say for certain either way.
The power-factor rule
Cp Large Commercial & Industrial (rules in Schedule CpX)
Applies to: Customers whose demand has exceeded 1,000 kW for three consecutive months.
How it works: For three-phase service, a reactive demand adjustment is added, based on the average monthly power factor calculated from kWh and lagging kVARh.
Formula: Adjustment = customer demand × (1/PF − 1/0.80) × reactive demand charge ($0.40 per kW at up to 6,000 V; $0.25 per kW above 6,000 V).
Example: Illustration: at 0.70 PF the factor (1/0.70 − 1/0.80) is about 0.179, applied to customer demand and the reactive demand charge. Illustration, not a bill estimate; billed demand, measurement intervals, minimums and credits determine the actual adjustment.
"For three-phase service, the monthly charge ... shall be adjusted as follows: (Customer demand*) x (1/PF - 1/.80) x (reactive demand charge)"
Source: Wisconsin Public Service Corporation – Schedule CpX, Large Commercial and Industrial Service – Rules, P.S.C.W. Vol. 7, Schedule CpX, Sheet E6.65 (12th Rev.), Power Factor Clause. Effective for service on and after September 18, 2009 (still listed as current, December 2025). Checked 2026-10-03; review by 2027-10-03.
Not established Cg general-service schedules (rules in CgX)
Applies to: General-service commercial customers.
How it works: Not established. The CgX rules refer to a 'Power Factor Clause' that we could not find in the documents we reviewed, so we can't say whether one applies.
Source: Wisconsin Public Service Corporation – Schedule CgX rules, reference to a Power Factor Clause (clause not located). not established. Checked 2026-10-03; review by 2027-10-03.
Caveats
- Customer demand here is the maximum demand in the current or preceding 11 months.
- The tariff does not say whether a power factor above 80% (where the formula turns negative) earns a credit, so we don't claim either way.
What to do next
- Size the kVAR for your load.
- Send us a bill and we'll tell you what you're paying and what correction is worth.
Cities we serve in Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) territory
Tariffs change. This summary reflects the documents cited above as checked on 2026-10-03; your utility's current rate schedule and your bill govern what you pay.