Who Owns Peoples Gas?
Peoples Gas is owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEC), a publicly traded utility holding company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Legally The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company, it has delivered natural gas in Chicago since the 1850s and now serves approximately 898,000 customers inside the city limits. It joined WEC through the 2015 Integrys Energy Group acquisition.
Parent Company
Founded
1855
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
United StatesOfficial Website
Who Owns Peoples Gas?
- Parent Company: WEC Energy Group, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: New York Stock Exchange: WEC
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Peoples Gas | WEC Energy Group, Inc. | Wholly owned |
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History of Peoples Gas
- Founded: 1855
- Founders: The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company
The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company dates to 1855, when it was chartered to manufacture and distribute gas for lighting in a fast-growing Chicago. For more than a century it produced town gas from coal before transitioning to pipeline natural gas in the mid-20th century.
The company built a holding structure as Peoples Energy Corporation, which acquired North Shore Gas to extend its reach into the northern suburbs. That parent merged into Integrys in 2007 and then into WEC Energy Group in 2015.
The modern era has been defined by the System Modernization Program, a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar effort to replace aging cast iron and ductile iron gas mains under Chicago streets. The program's cost and management have made Peoples Gas the most scrutinized utility in the WEC system.
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About WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Is WEC Energy Group publicly traded?
Yes. It trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WEC and is a member of the S&P 500.
What is the difference between WEC Energy Group and We Energies?
WEC Energy Group is the parent holding company. We Energies is its largest operating utility, the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC.
How many customers does WEC Energy Group serve?
About 4.8 million electric and natural gas customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Who is the CEO of WEC Energy Group?
Scott Lauber. He became president and CEO in February 2022 and was named chairman of the board in May 2026.
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Does WEC Energy Group still use coal?
Yes, but on a declining basis. It expects to use coal only as a backup fuel by the end of 2030 and to eliminate coal by the end of 2032.
When was WEC Energy Group formed?
The holding company was incorporated in 1981 as Wisconsin Energy Corporation and renamed WEC Energy Group in 2015 after acquiring Integrys Energy Group.
- Founded: 1981
- Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: New York Stock Exchange: WEC
- Revenue: Approximately $9.8 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 7,000
Where Is Peoples Gas Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Peoples Gas Categories & Tags
Peoples Gas Recalls & Controversies
System Modernization Program costs: The pipeline replacement program has drawn sustained criticism from the Illinois Commerce Commission, the state's attorney general, and consumer advocates over rising costs passed to ratepayers. Quarterly bill impacts and the program's pace have been central issues in recent rate cases.
Electrification debate: Environmental organizations have argued Chicago should slow main replacement and accelerate building electrification, putting the utility at the center of Illinois climate policy fights.
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Brands Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Energy UtilitiesMichigan Gas Utilities
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Natural gas utility serving nearly 188,000 customers in southern Michigan, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group headquartered in Monroe, Michigan.
utilitiesnatural-gasmichigan
Energy UtilitiesMinnesota Energy Resources
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Natural gas utility delivering service to more than 256,000 customers across 179 Minnesota communities, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group.
utilitiesnatural-gasminnesota
Energy UtilitiesNorth Shore Gas
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Natural gas utility serving approximately 166,000 customers in Chicago's northern suburbs, a sister company of Peoples Gas under WEC Energy Group.
utilitiesnatural-gaschicago-suburbs
Energy UtilitiesUpper Michigan Energy Resources
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Michigan-regulated electric and natural gas utility serving about 43,000 customers in the Upper Peninsula, formed in 2017 as a WEC Energy Group subsidiary.
utilitieselectricitynatural-gas
Energy UtilitiesWe Energies
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Wisconsin's largest electric and natural gas utility, serving more than 2.3 million customers and operating as the flagship utility brand of WEC Energy Group.
utilitieselectricitynatural-gas
Energy UtilitiesWEC Energy Group
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
The corporate brand of WEC Energy Group, the Milwaukee utility holding company behind We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, and four other Midwest utilities.
utilitiesenergynatural-gas
Peoples Gas Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Dense, high-value urban service territory
- +Backed by a financially strong S&P 500 parent
- +Essential infrastructure role with steady regulated revenue
Considerations
- -Highest regulatory scrutiny level in the WEC system
- -Pipeline program costs pressure customer bills and political support
- -Long-term gas demand uncertainty under decarbonization policy
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Frequently Asked Questions About Peoples Gas
Sources & Further Reading
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Competitors to Peoples Gas
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Company | USA | 1912 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Wec Energy Group | USA | 1900 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Southern Company | USA | 1856 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Iberdrola | USA | 2015 | Mass market | United states | Unisex | |
| Exelon | USA | 1816 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Exelon | USA | 1907 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Energy UtilitiesNicor Gas
Owned by Southern Company
Natural gas utility serving 2.3 million customers across northern Illinois. Owned by Southern Company (NYSE: SO) through its Southern Company Gas subsidiary. Headquartered in Naperville, Illinois.
natural-gasutilitiesillinois
Energy UtilitiesNorth Shore Gas
Owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Natural gas utility serving approximately 166,000 customers in Chicago's northern suburbs, a sister company of Peoples Gas under WEC Energy Group.
utilitiesnatural-gaschicago-suburbs
Energy UtilitiesAtlanta Gas Light
Owned by Southern Company
Georgia-based natural gas utility company serving millions of customers across the state, owned by Southern Company.
natural-gasutilitiesgeorgia
Energy UtilitiesAvangrid
Owned by Iberdrola
US-based energy company providing electricity and natural gas services to millions of customers across multiple states, owned by Spanish utility Iberdrola.
energyelectricitynatural-gas
Energy UtilitiesBaltimore Gas and Electric
Owned by Exelon Corporation
Maryland-based electric and natural gas utility founded in 1816 and owned by Exelon Corporation. BGE serves over 1.25 million electric customers and 650,000 natural gas customers across central Maryland.
electricitynatural-gasutilities
Energy UtilitiesComEd
Owned by Exelon Corporation
Illinois electric utility serving approximately 4 million customers in northern Illinois, owned by Exelon Corporation.
electricityutilitiespower-distribution
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Peoples Gas competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Peoples Gas
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Energy UtilitiesAdani Power
Owned by Adani Group
India's largest private thermal power producer, operating approximately 17,550 megawatts of installed capacity across eight states, listed on NSE and BSE.
power-generationenergythermal-power
Privately Owned
Adani Power is privately owned, unlike Peoples Gas which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesAdani Green Energy
Owned by Adani Group
Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) is India's largest renewable energy company by installed capacity, listed on the National Stock Exchange and BSE. It develops, builds, and operates solar and wind power plants across India.
renewable-energysolarwind
Privately Owned
Adani Green Energy is privately owned, unlike Peoples Gas which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesCenex
Owned by CHS Inc.
American fuel, lubricant, and convenience store brand owned by CHS Inc., the nation's largest farmer-owned cooperative, operating roughly 1,400 locations across 19 states.
fuelgas-stationsconvenience-stores
Privately Owned
Cenex is privately owned, unlike Peoples Gas which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesJSW Energy
Owned by JSW Group
JSW Energy Limited is an Indian independent power producer and subsidiary of JSW Group, operating thermal, hydro, solar, and wind assets with over 10 GW of installed capacity and a target of 30 GW by 2030.
renewable-energysolarwind
Privately Owned
JSW Energy is privately owned, unlike Peoples Gas which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesPSE&G
Owned by PSEG
The regulated electric and gas utility serving New Jersey, operating under the Public Service Enterprise Group umbrella.
utilityelectricgas
Privately Owned
PSE&G is privately owned, unlike Peoples Gas which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesPSEG Long Island
Owned by PSEG
The brand under which PSEG operates Long Island's electric grid under contract for the Long Island Power Authority.
utilityelectriclong-island
Privately Owned
PSEG Long Island is privately owned, unlike Peoples Gas which is under a publicly traded parent company.
WEC Energy Group, Inc. Stock Information
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Jobs at WEC Energy Group, Inc.
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