Federal Funding for Energy Programs

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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.​​​

National Governors Association Resources​

The National Governors Association maintains websites for both 
BIL​/IIJA​ and IRA to share information on funding available through these laws. These include formula and competitive grant program trackers that may be useful for other state agencies, local governments,
non-profits, and utilities in checking for potential project funding.​ 

Inflation Reduction Act/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Infrastructure Implementation Resource - National Governors Association  

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Infrastructure Implementation Resources - National Governors Association

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Jump to Section​

​Bipartisan Infras​tructure 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 Bipart​isan 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 India​n 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 more details about the grant program for the State of Wisconsin, see the Grid Resilience Program webpage​ and and subscribe to docket and 9713-FG-2024 (EZ e-Subscribe).
For more details about this federal program, visit  
Grid Resilience State/Tribal Formula G​rant Program | Department of Energy.

Rural Energy Startup Program (RESP) 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 details about the grant program for the State of Wisconsin, see the Rural Energy Startup Program webpage and visit Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program | Department of Energy.​

​​Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization G​​​rant 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 about this federal program​, visit Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program | Department of Energy​.

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
$1,911,700
Timeline
​Subscribe to the docket for updates
Docket Number
9715-FG-2023
EZ e-Subscribe

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​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, t​he 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) Pro​​gram - ​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. Expa​nded rebate levels are available for multifamily dwellings and low-income households.​​

For more details about this federal program​​, visit ​Home Effici​ency Rebates | Department of Energy.

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation

$74,756,512

Timeline

The HOMES program will  launch in late summer 2024.​

IRA Home Energy Rebates | Focus on Energy​

Docket Number

Initial considerations related to the relationship between IRA and Focus on Energy were explored in:
​5-FE-104

The program is now 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 S​tate 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​​​

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation

$74,470,200

Timeline

​​The HEAR program will launch in Fall 2024.
IRA Home Energy Rebates | Focus on Energy​

Docket Number

Initial considerations related to the relationship between IRA and Focus on Energy were explored in:
5-FE-104​

The program is now managed in docket 9717-FG-20​23​
EZ e-Subscribe​​

​​​Training for Resi​​dential 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 detailabout this federal program​​​, visit State-Ba​sed Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants | Department of Energy.

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation

$2,835,440

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.​

Docket Number
9718​-FG-2023
EZ e-Subsc​ribe
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