
Upper Michigan Energy Resources is owned by WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEC), a publicly traded utility holding company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Formed on January 1, 2017, it took over the Upper Peninsula customers formerly served by We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service and now delivers electricity and natural gas to about 43,000 customers from offices in Menominee and Iron Mountain.
Parent Company
Founded
2017
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Michigan Energy Resources | WEC Energy Group, Inc. | Wholly owned |
UMERC's creation resolved a reliability and governance problem. In 2014 mine operator Cliffs Natural Resources switched power suppliers, removing most of the demand from the Presque Isle coal plant in Marquette and forcing WEC to plan its retirement. That left the Upper Peninsula without a clear power supply and raised questions about who should regulate service in the region.
Stakeholders negotiated a 2016 settlement: Presque Isle would retire, two new gas-fired generating stations would be built in the UP, and a new Michigan-regulated utility would serve the territory. The MPSC approved the settlement in December 2016 and UMERC began operating January 1, 2017.
The new F.A. Lee Peacock and A.J. Mihm generating stations came online in 2019, giving the UP locally based dispatchable generation for the first time in decades. UMERC now operates under Michigan's clean energy law, which requires 80 percent clean energy by 2035 and 100 percent by 2040.
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.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iberdrola | USA | 2015 | Mass market | United states | Unisex | |
| Exelon | USA | 1816 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Cms Energy | USA | 1987 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Cms Energy | USA | 1886 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Exelon | United States | 1909 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Dte Energy | USA | 1903 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
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US-based energy company providing electricity and natural gas services to millions of customers across multiple states, owned by Spanish utility Iberdrola.
Energy UtilitiesOwned 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.
Energy UtilitiesOwned by CMS Energy
American energy company providing electricity and natural gas utility services to Michigan residents through Consumers Energy subsidiary.
Energy UtilitiesOwned by CMS Energy
The principal utility subsidiary of CMS Energy, serving 1.9 million electric and 1.8 million natural gas customers across Michigan.
Energy UtilitiesOwned by Exelon Corporation
Delaware and Maryland-based electric and natural gas utility company serving approximately 515,000 electric and 130,000 natural gas customers, owned by Exelon Corporation.
Energy UtilitiesOwned by DTE Energy Company
Michigan-based electric utility company serving millions of customers in Southeast Michigan and the thumb region, owned by DTE Energy Company.
Market Positioning: Upper Michigan Energy Resources 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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India's largest private thermal power producer, operating approximately 17,550 megawatts of installed capacity across eight states, listed on NSE and BSE.
Adani Power is privately owned, unlike Upper Michigan Energy Resources which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesOwned by CMS Energy
American energy company providing electricity and natural gas utility services to Michigan residents through Consumers Energy subsidiary.
CMS Energy operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Energy UtilitiesOwned by DTE Energy Company
Master brand of DTE Energy Company, the Detroit-based NYSE-listed utility serving millions of Michigan customers through DTE Electric and DTE Gas.
DTE Energy operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Energy UtilitiesOwned 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.
Adani Green Energy is privately owned, unlike Upper Michigan Energy Resources which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Energy UtilitiesOwned 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.
Cenex is privately owned, unlike Upper Michigan Energy Resources which is under a publicly traded parent company.
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Consumer-facing brand of Consolidated Edison, Inc., the regulated utility delivering electricity, gas, and steam to New York City and Westchester County.
Con Edison operates independently without a large parent corporation.
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