WEC Energy Group names Michael Hooper president of We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service

An Indiana utility executive has been tapped as the new leader of We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service Corp.

WEC Energy Group, the utilities' parent company on Tuesday announced Michael Hooper, president and chief operating officer of Northern Indiana Public Service Co., will become president of the utilities effective April 1.

Hooper will take over a position that has been filled by WEC Energy Group President and CEO Scott Lauber since the utilities' former president and CEO, Tom Metcalfe, left at the end of 2021.

Hooper will be responsible for the utilities' electric and gas distribution businesses, customer service, power generation and major projects. He will report to Lauber.

"We're fortunate to have Mike join our senior leadership team," Lauber said. "He has an impressive record of accomplishments in our industry along with proven leadership skills. His broad experience, together with his demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex projects, will be key in helping us achieve our long-term goals."

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He joins WEC Energy Group as it accelerates its push to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 via the shutdown of its coal-powered plants and investments in wind and solar energy. A new capital plan rolled out late last year calls for $23.4 billion in investments in power generation, transmission and other infrastructure over the next five years.

"This is a dynamic and changing time in the energy industry, and nothing excites me more than the opportunity to be a part of leading that change in a positive way for customers and stakeholders, ” Hooper said.

Hooper has worked at NIPSCO for 13 years, where he previously held the positions of senior vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs and strategy, senior vice president of electric operations and vice president of major projects.

NIPSCO is Indiana’s largest natural gas distribution company and its second largest electric distribution company. It serves about 859,000 natural gas and 483,000 electric customers across 30 counties, according to its parent company, NiSource Inc.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Michael Hooper named president of We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service