Wisconsin
State Scorecard Rank
26
Wisconsin
13.0Scored out of 50Updated 12/2022
State Government
Score: 1 out of 4.5
State Government Summary List All
The state runs a major revolving loan program to help manufacturers invest in energy efficiency, as well as PACE financing. The state government leads by example by requiring energy-efficient public buildings and fleets and encouraging the use of energy savings performance contracts. Energy efficiency research is conducted at several institutions within the state.
Financial Incentives List All
The state of Wisconsin offers the following financial incentive to encourage energy efficiency improvements:
Energy Innovation Grant Program
Further financial incentive information can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE Wisconsin). In addition to these state-funded incentives, Wisconsin has enabled commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing and has two active programs. For additional information on PACE, visit PACENation.
Last Reviewed: August 2022
Equity Metrics and Workforce DevelopmentList All
The State of Wisconsin published a Climate Change Task Force Report in October 2020, containing a section on climate justice and equity along with a few goals listed. In addition, The University of Wisconsin in partnership with the Office of Energy Innovation performed research and analysis on energy poverty in Wisconsin.
Workforce Development
The Governor issued the first Clean Energy Plan identifying that Wisconsin has yet to achieve conditions that effectively support members of Tribal Nations, women, veterans, individuals with low incomes, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Hmong American, Asian American, and individuals from vulnerable communities to pursue employment and business ownership in this field. Wisconsin must achieve an inclusive and equitable clean energy workforce through a clean energy workforce development program to systematically train and prepare workers for the nation and state’s transition to clean energy. Strategies to support this include launching a clean energy job inventory; supporting a Clean Energy Workforce Advisory Council; supporting communities and workers who will experience power generation plant closures; establishing and funding a clean energy training and reemployment program; increasing engagement and collaboration with labor unions; ensuring the clean energy transition supports family-supporting wages; launching a Clean Energy Reentry Pilot Program; and supporting the creation of a certified training program for digester operators and Expand Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit.
Currently the Wisconsin Public Service Commission has an open docket related to Zero Carbon Roadmap.
Last Reviewed: July 2021
Carbon Pricing PoliciesList All
The State of Wisconsin does not yet have carbon pricing policies in place.
At this time, the state does not have a statewide emissions reduction goal in place.
Last Reviewed: September 2022
Building Energy Disclosure List All
There is no disclosure policy in place.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Public Building Requirements List All
Per Executive Order 63, signed in March 2012, all new state facilities are required to be designed to achieve a level of energy efficiency that meets or exceeds the commercial code requirement in effect on the date of the issuance of this Order by at least 10%, so long as such measures are cost-effective on a life-cycle basis. No further goals have been put into place since then.
While there is no explicit requirement for benchmarking or tracking of energy use in public buildings, agencies are required to submit energy plans that include estimated energy savings. To do so, many agencies choose to benchmark buildings.
The Division of Facilities Development published Sustainability Guidelines for Capital Projects. These guidelines are based on the American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) Framework for Design Excellence and adapted for use on DFD projects to align with Governor Evers' Executive Order #38 to “Develop energy efficiency, sustainability and renewable energy guidelines for all new and existing state facilities, office buildings, and complexes.” The intent of these guidelines is to provide a holistic approach to sustainability by evaluating multiple measures for applicability to capital projects as they are relevant to our customer’s varying project needs and missions. These guidelines are part of a larger effort towards a more sustainable environment today and for future generations.
The Governor issued Wisconsin's Clean Energy Plan with strategies for state government Lead-by-Example work. State agencies leadership aim to:
- Contribute to the fulfillment of carbon reduction goals of the new U.S. nationally determined contribution (NDC) as part of the Paris Agreement (50-52 percent economy-wide net GHG emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2030);
- Develop energy efficiency, sustainability, and renewable energy standards for all new and existing state facilities, office buildings, and complexes;
- Accelerate new and existing policies to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy deployment at the state level; and
- Focus on priority areas and practices, such as environmental justice, energy consumption reduction, sustainable procurement, transitioning the fleet to clean fuels and zero-emission vehicles, reducing solid waste, and reducing water consumption.
Last Reviewed: August 2022
Fleets List All
The Wisconsin Department of Administration's fleet management policy requires all state agencies to collectively reduce gasoline use by at least 20% by 2010 and 50% by 2015 in state-owned vehicles as compared to the total amount used in 2006. In addition, state agencies must reduce petroleum-based diesel fuel use by 10% by 2010 and 25% by 2015. The department shall, whenever feasible and cost-effective, encourage all state agencies to collectively reduce the usage of gasoline and diesel fuel in state-owned vehicles that is petroleum based by at least 20% for gasoline by 2015 and 10% for diesel by 2015 as compared to the total amount used in 2006. No further goals have been put into place since then.
The Governor issued Wisconsin's Clean Energy Plan with strategies for state government Lead-by-Example work. State agencies leadership aim to:
- Contribute to the fulfillment of carbon reduction goals of the new U.S. nationally determined contribution (NDC) as part of the Paris Agreement (50-52 percent economywide net GHG emissions reductions below 2005 levels by 2030);
- Develop energy efficiency, sustainability, and renewable energy standards for all new and existing state facilities, office buildings, and complexes;
- Accelerate new and existing policies to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy deployment at the state level; and
- Focus on priority areas and practices, such as environmental justice, energy consumption reduction, sustainable procurement, transitioning the fleet to clean fuels and zero-emission vehicles, reducing solid waste, and reducing water consumption.
Last Reviewed: August 2022
Energy Savings Performance Contracting List All
Wisconsin state statute §16.85 (5) directs the Department of Administration (DOA) to promote the use of energy conservation methods in state-owned facilities, to implement and refine a statewide energy monitoring system and to develop and implement initiatives of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy fuels. The standing order from the executive branch, as outlined in Governor Walker’s Executive Order #63, made the DOA responsible to ensure that new state facilities were constructed to be 10% more energy efficient than commercial code.
Under DOA, the State of Wisconsin Building Commission is responsible for implementing the State Building Program authorized by the legislature. State statute §20.866 (2) (ws) authorizes the Department of Administration to provide funding to state agencies for energy conservation construction projects through contracting public debt from the capital improvement fund in an amount not exceeding $220,000,000. The contract shall set forth the minimum savings in energy usage that will be realized by the state from construction of the project and the contractor shall guarantee that the savings will be realized pursuant to §16.847 (2) (c).
The commission, under §13.48 (2) (h), may not authorize the release of funds for bidding and construction of any new building, structure, major remodeling or building addition unless the design concept incorporates an active solar energy system or photovoltaic solar energy system or other renewable energy resource system, unless not justified on the basis of a technical and economic feasibility evaluation. Other rules and minimum standards for planning, improvement, and management of buildings under the authority of the State Building Program are outlined by the Sustainable Facilities Policy, Energy Conservation Policy and Energy Design Guidelines found in the State of Wisconsin Building Commission Policy and Procedures Manual and Wisc. Adm. Code § SPS 363.
Wisconsin state statue §66.0133 enables local governmental units to enter into a performance contract with a qualified provider (under the DOE Qualified List of Energy Service Companies) to reduce energy costs. Prior to entering into the contract, the qualified provider shall provide a report to the local governmental unit containing recommendations concerning how much should be spent on energy conservation and facility improvement measures and the savings that will be realized by the improvements. The Municipal Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Program (MEETAP), ran out of Wisconsin’s Office of Energy Innovation, provides technical expertise to help municipalities through the complex processes of ESPCs.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Research & Development List All
Seventhwave (formerly Energy Center of Wisconsin) is an independent nonprofit that advances sustainability through energy consulting, continuing education, research and program design. It conducts technology and field research; education programs; program evaluation and market research; program development; and implementation. The organization is funded through state, ratepayer, private, and other sources, and features an award-winning program on building energy use in commercial new construction.
Wisconsin Focus on Energy operates an Emerging Technology (ET) program that promotes emerging, industrial, energy efficiency technologies. The program deploys and commercializes those emerging industrial technologies that have the potential for large, cost-effective energy savings and multiple installations in Wisconsin. The program can provide technology evaluations, development plans, and funding for businesses that have developed new technologies.
Solar Energy Lab (SEL) at University of Wisconsin emphasizes the application of engineering concepts to energy problems, including solar heating, PVs, desiccant and absorption cooling, and HVAC and air quality. Thermal energy storage and the optimal control of the heating and cooling processes are two of SEL’s main research areas that focus on energy savings in building systems. SEL partners with Solar Energy Applications Laboratory at Colorado State University, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to conduct cooperative research. SEL also received sponsorships from ASHRAE on building test facilities.
The Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI) is an educational research group at the University of Wisconsin - Madison researching into three primary areas: electricity systems, transportation & fuels, and sustainability & society. Within the electricity systems area, researchers are working to develop building designs that reduce energy use, incorporate renewable energy technologies, and integrate new energy innovations.
Last Reviewed: July 2019
Buildings
Score: 2.5 out of 12
Buildings Summary List All
The state-developed residential code is based on the 2009 IECC. In May 2018, the state updated its commercial building energy codes to reference the 2015 IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-2013, albeit substantial weakening amendments. Wisconsin has completed a baseline compliance study and offers code training.
Residential Codes List All
The state-developed residential code, referred to as Wisconsin Administrative Chapter SPS 322, Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), is mandatory statewide for one- and two-family dwellings and incorporates the 2009 IECC with state amendments. These amendments are more restrictive for underfloor insulation for heated slabs. Local governments cannot modify the UDC and are required to enforce the UDC.
The Wisconsin Clean Energy Plan has a strategy to make Wisconsin a leader in and update building codes. This includes implementing guidelines to ensure building codes are up to date that consider the State’s carbon-reduction goals and transitioning from the current Wisconsin UDC to the IECC 2021 residential codes. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) announced the establishment of a Wisconsin Advisory Council on Building Sustainability. The Wisconsin Advisory Council on Building Sustainability is created under Wis. Stat. § 227.13 and § 440.042(1) to review all building and construction codes and provide recommendations to the Department on changes that would increase safety, resiliency, and sustainability. This is to address environmental issues such as, enabling adoption of stretch codes and adopting codes that require electric vehicle and solar ready standards for commercial, residential, and multifamily new construction. The process should meet and wherever practical exceed the standards of the most recent International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). DSPS is now accepting applications. https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/Sustainability/Default.aspx
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Commercial Code List All
In May 2018, Wisconsin updated its commercial building energy codes to reference the 2015 IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with substantial weakening amendments.
Last Reviewed: June 2022
Compliance List All
- Gap Analysis/Strategic Compliance Plan: NA
- Baseline & Updated Compliance Studies: WI received funding from the U.S. DOE to implement a pilot study of compliance in commercial buildings. The 2011 study found that new commercial buildings were typically over 90% in compliance with the current commercial building code (at that time the 2006 IECC with WI amendments as addressed under SPS 363).
- Utility Involvement: NA
- Stakeholder Advisory Group: NA
- Training/Outreach: DSPS provides annual updates to code officials throughout the state as well as a UW-Extension session to architects, engineers and designers. Eleven sessions covering residential and commercial construction. All licensed Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and WI Commercial Building Inspectors are required to obtain continuing education credits in order to renew their license. Each late winter/early spring, the four inspector associations put on trainings, but it is not mandatory. The Department of Safety & Professional Services offers various training courses throughout the year, which are also not mandatory. Some courses are available online, while others are addressed by organizations such as WI Focus on Energy, Energy Center of WI, WI Builders Association and others.
Last Reviewed: September 2019
Important Links List All
CHP
CHP Summary List All
The state has interconnection standards that apply to CHP and CHP is an eligible resource in the state's renewable portfolio standard. No new CHP systems were installed in 2018.
Interconnection StandardsList All
Policy: Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter PSC119
Description: Established in 2004, Wisconsin’s interconnection standards allow for distributed generation, including CHP, up to 15MW in size. To allow for ease of application, interconnection service is divided into four tiers, based upon system size, with strictness of requirements increasing as system size increases.
Last Updated: July 2018
Encouraging CHP as a ResourceList All
CHP in energy efficiency standards: Wisconsin established an energy efficiency resource standard in 2006. This standard requires that energy efficiency goals be met, and looks to the Wisconsin Focus on Energy Program to achieve these goals. CHP is not specifically identified as an eligible resource within the standard, but Focus on Energy programs support the deployment of CHP in certain sectors of the economy.
Last Updated: August 2017
Deployment IncentivesList All
Net metering: The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) issued an order on January 26, 1982, requiring all regulated utilities to file tariffs allowing net metering to customers that generate electricity with systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. The order applies to investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities, but not to electric cooperatives. All distributed-generation (DG) systems, including combined heat and power (CHP), are eligible. There is no limit on total enrollment. The PSC has not adopted administrative rules for net metering. Utilities' net-metering tariffs contain some variations. Customer net excess generation (NEG) is generally credited at the utility's retail rate for renewables, and at the utility's avoided-cost rate for non-renewables.
Last Updated: August 2017
Additional Supportive PoliciesList All
Some additional supportive policies exist to encourage CHP in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Energy Office recieved funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct the "Turning Waste into Cash in Wisconsin" project. The goal of the project was to identify and reduce barriers to project deployment and increase awareness of CHP in the state. Activites included a series of statekholder meetings and a summary white paper, which sets the stage for a Wisconsin Action Plan to promote the use of CHP in the state.
Also, CHP systems that displace electricity use and are fueled by renewable resources are eligible for the state’s Renewable Energy Standard, which set a statewide target of 10% of electricity from renewable resources by 2015.
Last Updated: August 2017
Utilities
Score: 7.5 out of 15
Utilities Summary List All
Wisconsin's energy efficiency programs were initiated in the mid-1980s when integrated resource planning—termed the "Advance Plan Process"—was enacted by PSCW. This process is no longer in place and has been replaced by biennial "strategic energy assessments."
Under the 2005 Wisconsin Act 141, oversight of the statewide energy efficiency and renewable resources program called Focus on Energy transferred to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Act 141 requires investor-owned electric and natural-gas utilities to spend 1.2% of their annual gross operating revenues on energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. Act 141 also requires municipal and retail electric cooperative utilities to collect an average of $8 per meter to fund energy efficiency programs. Municipal and retail electric cooperative utilities can collect the dollars and participate in the Focus on Energy program or can elect to operate their own Commitment to Community programs. The investor-owned utilities formed the non-profit Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewables Administration (SEERA) to fulfill their obligations under Act 141. SEERA is required to create and fund Focus on Energy and to contract, on the basis of competitive bids, with one or more persons to administer the programs.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Customer Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Wisconsin has a statewide energy efficiency and renewable resources program called Focus on Energy, which is funded through a non-bypassable charge on customer bills. There has been no market restructuring or deregulation, so vertically integrated, investor-owned utilities are still regulated providers. In addition to Focus on Energy, utilities provide voluntary energy efficiency programs. Act 141 allows investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to operate voluntary programs with funding in addition to the 1.2% or gross operating revenues they contribute to Focus on Energy. These voluntary programs need to be approved by the Public Service Commission, and currently, three IOUs operate some level of voluntary programs.
Under 2005 Wisconsin Act 141, oversight of Focus on Energy was transferred to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Act 141 also requires municipal and retail electric cooperative utilities to collect an average of $8 per meter to fund energy efficiency programs. Municipal and retail electric cooperative utilities can collect the dollars and participate in the Focus on Energy program or can elect to operate their own Commitment to Community programs.
Program cost recovery is handled via individual rate cases. A conservation escrow account is used for voluntary energy efficiency and programs. Program costs are recovered through rates, the money goes into an escrow account, and then the costs are adjusted, or "trued up," in the next rate case. If utilities spend more than the approved budget, they generally receive cost recovery through the true up. If actual spending is less than the escrow amount, the PSCW "trues it up" through a reduction in revenue requirement for the next rate period.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin oversees the statewide programs. The investor-owned utilities formed the non-profit Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewables Administration (SEERA) to fulfill their obligations under Act 141. SEERA is required to fund Focus on Energy and to contract on the basis of competitive bids, with one or more persons to administer the programs. Focus on Energy has energy efficiency programs in two areas: (1) residential energy efficiency and renewable energy, and (2) non-residential energy efficiency and renewable energy (including the business, governmental, institutional, industrial, and agricultural sectors).
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last reviewed: June 2022
Energy Efficiency as a Resource List All
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin carries out a "Strategic Energy Assessment" every two years. These assessments assess past and future electric energy needs and associated resources available to meet these needs. This process is for planning only; it yields no regulatory orders or decisions that require actions by affected utilities, such as establishing specific resource goals or required investment levels in energy efficiency.
The Commission concluded the third Quadrennial Planning process for programs operating between 2019-2022 and issued an order for policies and savings goals in May 2018.
Last reviewed: June 2022
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards List All
Summary: Electric: ~0.5-0.6% of sales in 2019-2022. Natural Gas: ~0.4% of sales in 2019-2022. Minimum net savings goal as a percent of sales.
2005 Wisconsin Act 141 directs the Public Service Commission to establish energy efficiency and renewable goals and measureable targets at least every four years. The PSCW issued its final order of the Quadrennial Planning Process on November 10, 2010, which adopted electricity and natural gas savings goals for Focus on Energy. The electricity goals, as a percent of peak load and electric sales, amounted to 0.75% in 2011, ramping up to 1.5% in 2014. The PSC also approved natural gas goals of 0.5% in 2011, ramping up to 1% in 2013.
Shortly after the EERS was approved by the Joint Finance Committee of the state legislature, the state limited funding to Focus on Energy to 1.2% of revenues, which resulted in a major reduction in energy efficiency goals.
The Commission in May 2018 set four-year savings goals for the 2019-2022 period, which were guided by the findings of Focus' 2017 potential study regarding total achievable potential available at Focus' $100 million annual funding level. All goals are now set in lifecycle terms, rather than the annual therms the Commission previously used. The Commission revised the 2019-2022 savings goals in October 2021. The electric net life cycle savings target is 25,432 GWh for 2019-2022 or 1,695 GWh first-year savings across 2019- 2022, translating to roughly ~0.6% of sales per year on a net basis (0.8% of sales on a gross basis). The net life cycle natural gas savings goal is 1,253 MMTherms for measures implemented in 2019-2022, or 84 MMTherms of first-year savings, equating to between 0.4-0.5% savings as a percent of sales on a net basis (~0.6% of sales on a gross basis).
The Commission has established a quadrennial lifecycle savings goal in MMBtu. Minimum goals are set as 90% of fuel-specific goals. Once the Program Administrator achieves 90% of the fuel-specific goal, it can achieve the remainder of the MMBtu goal with either fuel.
Last reviewed: June 2022
Utility Business Model List All
Wisconsin Electric Power Company submitted a proposed Gas Cost Recovery Mechanism. Approval was granted June 2011 (Docket No. 6630-GF-112).
Utilities can propose incentives as part of their rate cases, but there have been no such proposals from other utilities recently. Wisconsin did have performance incentives in place in the early to mid-90s, but dropped them as the state began investigating restructuring and deregulation.
The 2019-2022 contract between the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewables Administration (SEERA) and Aptim Government Solutions, LLC, includes a performance bonus mechanism for achievement in customer satisfaction and energy savings goals.
In September 2021, the Commission ordered an initial stakeholder workshop to facilitate further understanding and engagement on performance-based regulation and specificed the workshop address regulatory options related to customer affordability. This workshop was held in January 2022. In April 2022, the Commission directed further stakeholder engagement on performance-based regulation and ordere a series of workshops to explore the potential application of Performance Based Regulation goals, outcomes, and metrics on the issues of customer affordability, energy efficiency, and demand response. The first workshop in the series was held on June 7, 2022 and additional workshops will be held later in 2022.
Last reviewed: June 2022
Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification List All
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Primary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: modified total resource cost test
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Secondary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: utility cost test, ratepayer impact measure test, societal cost test
The evaluation of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in Wisconsin relies on both legislative mandates (Wisconsin Act 141) and regulatory orders (PSC Chapter 137). For the statewide Focus on Energy Program, Act 141 requires the Public Service Commission to contract with an independent evaluator for annual evaluations. If a utility offers a voluntary program, they are responsible for hiring an evaluator to conduct the evaluation. The state maintains a Technical Reference Manual (TRM) to summarize the consensus calculations of the electric and natural gas energy savings achieved from installing energy efficiency measures that are supported by Focus on Energy programs.
According to the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), Wisconsin specifies a modified TRC to be its primary test for decision making. Wisconsin’s modified TRC accounts for environmental benefits from reduced emissions. A benefit-cost test is required for overall portfolio level screening. Starting in 2019, Focus on Energy will be conducting a Societal Test as well as continuing to conduct TRC, UCT, and RIM tests.
Further information on cost-effectiveness screening practices for Wisconsin is available in the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), a resource of the National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP). Further information on health and environmental benefits is available in ACEEE’s Overview of State Approaches to Account for Health and Environmental Benefits of Energy Efficiency.
Last reviewed: July 2019
Guidelines for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Requirements for State and Utility Support of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
Focus is required by statute and administrative code to ensure it provides participation opportunities to all customers who pay in on their rates. While this requirement doesn't specifically mention low-income customers, those customers do pay into the program and in practice the general requirement has been interpreted to require the provision of programs for low-income residential customers. Further code support for serving low-income customers is provided by the fact that administrative code requires Focus to pass a portfolio-level cost-effectiveness test (with res and nonres portfolios). Again, while it does not specifically mention low-income, one of the established reasons for setting portfolio-level testing rather than program- or measure-level testing is specifically to ensure that low-income programs can be operated even if it is more difficult for them to reach program-level cost-effectiveness.
Cost-Effectiveness Rules for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
The rules for benefit-cost tests are stated in Commission Order Docket 5-FE-101, Ref #: 343909, final decision dated June 6, 2018. Although no specific adjustments or exceptions to general cost-effectiveness rules are mentioned for low-income programs. Wisconsin uses a modified total resource cost (TRC) test that includes the value of emissions avoided through the program, including carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. In addition, the commission also makes use of the TRC test, utility cost test (UCT), ratepayer impact measure (RIM), expanded TRC, and societal test. The Commission is also deciding on Quad IV goals and program objectives and will make final decisions in the fall of 2022. (Docket 5-FE-104)
Coordination of Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Programs with WAP Services
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR) administers Home Energy Plus (HE+) through a network of county agencies, tribal governments, community-based organizations, and housing authorities. HE+ includes the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Home Energy Plus Furnace Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Wisconsin’s WAP is funded with a combination of state and federal funds, including US Department of Energy (DOE), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or EAP), and state Public Benefits (PB) funding. HE+ and DOA work with Focus on Energy staff to coordinate delivery and support Focus' own services to low-income customers. For example, the parties meet regularly to share information, and Focus sometimes takes leads on customers who are on a waiting list for HE+ services.
Wisconsin’s management of federal, state, and utility funding is unique in that Wisc. Stat. §16.957 directs agencies to aggregate all funding streams into a single public benefit fund to coordinate distribution of assistance.
Last reviewed: June 2022
Self Direct and Opt-Out Programs List All
While self-direct is available, no customer has taken this option—all participate in Focus on Energy instead. For self-direct, the customer must meet statutory definition of a large energy customer: has a monthly demand of at least 1 MW or 10,000 decatherms and a monthly utility bill of at least $60,000. Statute says that a customer may deduct the amount of program funding from the amount they must contribute to Focus through their utility, if/when they receive Commission approval for that program. By administrative code, any proposals for a customer to run such a program require an M&V plan, must pass a cost-effectiveness screening, and set and measure performance goals.
More information on large customer self-direct programs can be found in the ACEEE report, Follow the Leaders: Improving Large Customer Self-Direct Programs.
Last reviewed: June 2020
Data AccessList All
Guidelines for Third party access
PSC docket 9501-GF-101 provides limited access by the Focus on Energy Administrator to customer energy use data. Each utility will give Focus the name, address, telephone number, contact person, rate class, and if available, the SIC code for each commercial or industrial customer whose energy use falls within parameters that Focus establishes. Energy use is aggregated, and each utility is only required to provide the information once per year.
Requirements for Provision of Energy Data
Wisconsin does not have any requirements in place for the provision of energy use data.
Energy Use Data Availability
There is no online standardized system through which access to individual or aggregated energy use data may be requested.
Last reviewed: July 2019
Important Links List All
Transportation
Score: 1 out of 13
Transportation Summary List All
The state devotes a significant amount of funding to transit iniatives, and has complete streets legislation in place.
Transportation System Efficiency List All
Transportation and Land Use Integration: No policy in place or proposed.
VMT Targets: No policy in place or proposed.
FAST Freight Plans and Goals: No finalized freight plan or goals in place.
Last Reviewed: November 2022
Incentives for High-Efficiency Vehicles List All
No policy in place or proposed.
Last Reviewed: November 2022
Equitable Access to TransportationList All
Wisconsin does not have any state programs in place to incentivize the creation of low-income housing near transit facilities, nor does it consider the proximity of transit facilities when distributing federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to qualifying property owners.
Last Reviewed: November 2022