Washington Island Electric Cooperative customers may see their monthly bill go down at least $10 a month thanks to a provision in the state budget signed into law Wednesday. The provision will award the cooperative up to $2 million over the next two years to help pay for damage to an underwater cable providing power to the island. Ice shoves had taken its toll on the cable until it eventually malfunctioned in 2018. Manager Robert Cornell is thankful for the bipartisan support.

Cornell says customers saw a $20 monthly increase as a result of the $4 million repair bill to the line before Governor Tony Evers signed the budget. Washington Island Electric Cooperative members will pay for the repaired cable over the next 30 years.