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 when guidance becomes available. 

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

​​Jump to Section​


​Bipartisan Infras​tructure Law

For detailed information on specific BIL/IIJA programs and funding opportunities, please visit DOE Bipart​isan Infrastructure Law Programs. ​

DOE State Energy Program - 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, visit DOE: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Opportunities​

  • ​​A public comment period will be scheduled to gather stakeholder input on the use of these funds, the date has not yet been announced. 

​​Additional Details

Estimated Wisconsin Allocation​

​$7,880,570​

​​Timeline

​​Subscribe to the docket for updates​

Docket Number

9706-FG-2022​
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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.
​​Additional Details
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
​Inaugural grant round anticipated to open in November 2023.  Subscribe to the docket for future updates​.
Docket Number
9713-FG-2022​
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​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.

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation
$1,881,930
Timeline
​Subscribe to the docket for updates
Docket Number
9715-FG-2023
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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.

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 visit: 

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Formula Grant Application Hub | Department of Energy

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation

Timeline

Formula-eligible entities: ​

  • Fill out your Pre-award Information Sheet by July 31, 2023
  • ​All other application materials can be submitted as late as January 31, 2024. 

​Wisconsin Allocation:

  • Subscribe to the docket for updates

Docket Number

9714-FG-2023
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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​

​The Home Energy Performance-Based ​Whole-House Rebate Program (HOMES Rebate Program) and the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program were both authorized by the IRA. While these programs are authorized, they are not open to customers yet. The federal government will first issue guidance to states and open a process for each state to submit planning to establish and open programs to customers. We do not yet have an estimate on the timeline for when states might receive approval. 

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has decided that Focus on Energy will be the entity to implement ​the HOMES and High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate programs across Wisconsin once funding is made available. While these programs will be funded and managed as separate programs from the Focus on Energy portfolio, this decision will allow the programs to utilize the infrastructure already in place for the Focus program including the network of Focus contractors and rebate processing capabilities.

​For more information, please visit: 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

​​Additional Details
Estimated Wisconsin Allocation

$74,904,830

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 9716-FG-2023
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​​High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Progr​am - ​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​​​

​​Additional Details
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-20​23​

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 ​State-Based ​Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants – 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

​​Additional Details
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
​TBD
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