FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
CONTACT: press@opportunitywisconsin.org
New ad holds Van Orden accountable for voting to raise energy costs on Wisconsin families
Opportunity Wisconsin and the League of Conservation Voters launch TV spot targeting Van Orden's votes to spike utility bills and skyrocket gas prices in WI-03
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Opportunity Wisconsin and the League of Conservation Voters today launched a new television ad holding Congressman Derrick Van Orden accountable for his votes raising energy costs on Wisconsin families and urging him to stop increasing our costs. The new spot, "Paying More," highlights Van Orden's votes to slash clean energy production, which has driven up electricity costs, and to support the Republican war in Iran that is causing gas prices to soar across the Third District.
Wisconsin families are feeling the squeeze. Utility bills jumped sharply at the start of this year, and gas prices have surged above $4 a gallon as the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to roil global energy markets. Van Orden's vote last year for the Republican Tax Law, which gutted clean energy investments, could raise electricity costs for Wisconsin households by $300 a year by 2035.
"Wisconsin families are already paying more for groceries, health care, and everyday essentials, and now Van Orden's votes are making their energy bills even higher," said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. "He voted to strip away the clean energy investments that were keeping electricity costs down, and he voted to keep the Republican war in Iran going, which has sent gas prices through the roof. Wisconsin families deserve a congressman who fights to lower their costs, not one who keeps raising them."
“Congressional Republicans, like Representative Derrick Van Orden, broke their promise to lower energy costs,” said Sara Chieffo, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. “Instead of increasing access to affordable, clean energy, Congressional Republicans voted to kneecap the resources that can lower energy costs in order to prioritize the fossil fuel industry. Their constituents deserve to know who is responsible for their skyrocketing energy costs.”
Wisconsinites can see how electricity prices have changed in their area using a new interactive tool. In the Third Congressional District electricity bills have increased 3.9 percent since March 2025.
"PAYING MORE" TRANSCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER: "We're all paying more. Utility bills are through the roof. Now… gas prices. And Congressman Derrick Van Orden is making it worse. Derrick Van Orden voted to slash clean energy production… raising energy costs. Electricity costs could go up three hundred dollars a year in Wisconsin. And Derrick Van Orden voted to support the war in Iran that's causing gas prices to skyrocket. Tell Congressman Derrick Van Orden: Stop raising energy costs."
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