Klappa, Lauber highlight exceptional year for WEC Energy Group

Core Viewpoint - WEC Energy Group reported a strong year in customer satisfaction, financial performance, and execution of its capital plan, emphasizing its commitment to providing affordable, reliable, and clean energy to millions of customers across the Midwest [1]. Company Highlights - The company serves 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota [4]. - WEC Energy Group has approximately 33,000 stockholders, 7,000 employees, and over $48 billion in assets [6]. - The company operates principal utilities including We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources, and Upper Michigan Energy Resources [5]. Financial Performance - A record $1.06 billion was returned to stockholders through dividends [7]. - The dividend level was increased by 6.9% to an annual rate of $3.57 per share, marking the 22nd consecutive year of higher dividends [7]. - The company was selected for inclusion in the High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index by Standard and Poor's [7]. Capital Plan and Projects - The largest five-year capital plan in company history was developed, focusing on energy reliability and economic growth [7]. - Two large-scale solar projects, the Paris Solar Energy Center and Darien Solar Energy Center, were added, contributing renewable energy to the Wisconsin power grid [7]. - The company retired coal-fueled capacity at the Oak Creek Power Plant, which had been in service since the 1950s [7]. Customer Satisfaction - WEC Energy Group ranked number one in the nation for customer satisfaction in an independent survey of large commercial and industrial energy users [7]. - Wisconsin Public Service was recognized as one of the top-performing midsize utilities in PA Consulting's 2024 ReliabilityOne® Awards [7]. Stockholder Actions - Stockholders elected directors to terms expiring at the 2026 annual meeting [3]. - Proposed amendments to eliminate supermajority voting requirements and an advisory proposal for a simple majority vote did not receive the required stockholder approval [3][4].