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
The Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) administers over $37 million of federal funds allocated to Wisconsin through the BIL program to support the state's transition to clean and efficient energy technologies. These funds and the OEI's work benefit communities throughout Wisconsin.
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 the grant program for the State of Wisconsin, see the Energy Innovation Grant Program (wi.gov) webpage and visit State Energy Program | Department of Energy.
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 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 about this federal program, visit Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program | Department of Energy.
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 Efficiency Rebate (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.
The Department of Energy approved the application for HOMES on June 27, 2024 and HEAR was approved on July 1, 2024.
For more details about this federal program, please visit: IRA Home Energy Rebates | Focus on Energy
Home Energy Rebate Programs | Department of Energy
Home Energy Rebate Programs Frequently Asked Questions | Department of Energy
Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) 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 about this federal program, visit Home Efficiency Rebates | Department of Energy.
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program - IRA Section 50122
Under IRA Section 50122, funding is provided to State Energy Offices and Tribal Nations 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.
This program will launch in early Fall 2024.
For more details about this federal program, visit Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates | Department of Energy
Training for Residential Energy Contractors(TREC) - IRA Section 50123
Under IRA Section 50123, funding is made available to States to develop and implement a state energy workforce program that prepares workers to deliver energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy improvements, including those covered under the Home Efficiency Rebates and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates.
For more details about this federal program, visit State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants | Department of Energy.
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
| $2,835,440
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Timeline
| The scoping memo for the TREC program design and budget, is open for public comment until 1:30 pm CT on Friday, July 19, 2024.
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Docket Number
| 9718-FG-2023
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