Overview
The
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are federal laws that created new clean energy programs, many of which are to be administered by states.
The Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) is working closely with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO) to identify options for program delivery to prepare for the implementation of these federal programs.
Please note, this page will be updated as guidance becomes available from DOE. Check back for the latest updates.
Energy Innovation Grant Program
The Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) supports a wide variety of energy projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, energy planning, and more.
Rural Energy Startup Program
The Rural Energy Startup Program (RESP) is funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) and supports communities taking initial steps to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
Grid Resilience
The Grid Resilience Program is a U.S. DOE funded initiative to reduce the likelihood, consequences of, and impacts to the electric grid due to extreme weather, wildfire, and natural disaster.
Wisconsin Refueling Readiness
The Wisconsin Refueling Readiness (WRR) program supports establishing a network of petroleum fueling points of distribution during a power outage. Grants are provided to public and private fueling stations and bulk fuel terminals to install wiring for a generator to restore power to the fueling area as quickly as possible.
Jump to Section
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
For detailed information on specific BIL/IIJA programs and funding opportunities, please visit DOE Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Programs.
Energy Innovation Grant Program funded by the State Energy Program Formula Grant- BIL Section 40109
Under BIL Section 40109, funding is provided to State Energy Offices for eligible State Energy Program (SEP) activities to be implemented over Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2022-2026.
For more details about this program, visit
PSC Energy Innovation Grant Program (wi.gov).
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
| $7,880,570
|
Timeline
|
OEI opened the 5th round of this program on November 30, 2023.
Applications were due into the PSC Grants System by March 1, 2024 at 1:30 PM. The Commission expects to make award decisions this spring.
|
Docket Number
|
9709-FG-2023
EZ e-Subscribe
|
Formula Grants to States and Indian Tribes for "Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid" - BIL Section 40101(d)
Under BIL Section 40101(d), funding is provided to States and Tribes for FFY 2022-2026 to improve the resilience of their electric grid. For details about the grant program for the State of Wisconsin, see the
Grid Resilience Program webpage.
Wisconsin submitted its application to DOE on April 12, 2023, and received the Year 1 and Year 2 allocation award on June 16, 2023.
-
The Commission reviewed and made decisions on several program design elements for the inaugural grant round at its open meeting on August 31, 2023
-
Tribal Nations in Wisconsin were also allocated specific federal funding amounts, which can be found in the
Allocation of Funds document
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
| Wisconsin has an allocation of $10.24 million, including allocations of $5.13 million for Federal Fiscal Year 2022 (year one) and $5.11 million for Federal Fiscal Year 2023 (year two).
|
Timeline
| OEI opened the inaugural grant round of this program on November 16, 2023.
Applications were due into the PSC Grants System on February 16, 2024. Tentatively, the Commission will make award decisions in late May.
|
Docket Number
| 9713-FG-2022
EZ e-Subscribe
|
Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program - BIL Section 40502
Under BIL Section 40502, funding is provided to State Energy Offices to establish grants and a revolving loan fund (RLF) for commercial or residential energy efficiency loan funds and audits.
For more details, visit Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program.
Rural Energy Startup Program funded by the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program - BIL Section 40552
Under BIL Section 40552, funding is provided to states, local governments, and Tribes for implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
For more details about the grant program for the State of Wisconsin's allocation, see the
Rural Energy Startup Program webpage.
All formula-eligible entities are required to submit an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS) in order to receive funding. We recommend using DOE's template to get started:
Formula-eligible entities are encouraged to submit this Optional Information Collection Form to keep in touch with DOE about Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).
For more details about this federal program, visit:
Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act will deliver results through a combination of grants, loans, rebates, incentives, and other investments to build a clean energy economy and reduce pollution.
Home Energy Rebate Programs
Two of the programs included in the IRA are targeted towards helping fund home improvement projects that save energy and lower bills.
These are:
- Home Energy Performance-Based Whole-House Rebate Program (HOMES) Program
- Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program
While the federal government authorized funding for these programs, they are not open yet. Wisconsin’s program launch will start in late summer 2024.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) decided Focus on Energy will implement the HOMES and HEAR programs. These programs will be funded and managed as separate programs from the current Focus on Energy portfolio.
The PSC held listening sessions in early 2024. Each session had an overview of the programs and a questions-and-answer period.
On April 25, 2024, the Commission approved several program design options to help more eligible residents access rebates.
The PSC sent the application for funding to the Department of Energy for approval on May 4, 2024.
For more information, please visit: Focus IRA Home Energy Rebates
DOE: Home Energy Rebate Programs
Home Energy Rebate Programs Frequently Asked Questions | Department of Energy
HOMES Rebate Program - IRA Section 50121
Under IRA Section 50121, funding is provided to state energy offices to implement a home energy performance-based, whole-house (HOMES) rebate that models whole-home energy consumption before and after an energy efficiency retrofit. Expanded rebate levels are available for multifamily dwellings and low-income households.
For more details, visit DOE: Home Efficiency Rebates.
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
| $74,756,512
|
Timeline
| Subscribe to the IRA Home Energy Rebate Newsletter for updates regarding new IRA Home Energy Rebates.
|
Docket Number
| Initial considerations related to the relationship between IRA and Focus on Energy were explored in:
5-FE-104 Future program work will be managed in docket 9716-FG-2023
EZ e-Subscribe
|
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program - IRA Section 50122
Under IRA Section 50122, funding is provided to state energy offices and Tribes to develop and implement a high-efficiency electric home rebate program to provide homeowners and owners of multi-family buildings with rebates for qualifying electrification projects.
For more details, visit
DOE: Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
| $74,470,200
|
Timeline
| Subscribe to the docket for updates
|
Docket Number
| Initial considerations related to the relationship between IRA and Focus on Energy were explored in:
5-FE-104
Future program work will be managed in docket 9717-FG-2023
EZ e-Subscribe
|
Training for Residential Energy Contractors - IRA Section 50123
The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants (Contractor Training Program) makes funding available to state energy offices so they can train, test, and certify workers to deliver energy efficiency, electrification, and home energy improvements, including those improvements covered under the HOMES and High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program.
Program implementation decisions regarding the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grant Program have not yet been made.
For more details, visit State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants | Department of Energy.
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
| $2,835,440 total allocation Installment 1 : $1,417,720
Installment 2 : $1,417,720
|
Timeline
| State applications to DOE are due by January 31st, 2024
|
Docket Number
| 9718-FG-2023
EZ e-Subscribe
|
< OEI Homepage