Energy on Wisconsin, a collaboration between UW-Madison Extension and the Office of Energy Innovation, engages communities, tribes, businesses and organizations to advance Wisconsin’s transformation to a clean energy economy for the health, prosperity and resilience of all its people and future generations.
Energy On Wisconsin:
- Increases energy awareness, education and outreach on energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy sources and systems, and cost-effective approaches and financing
- Facilitates strategic, participatory sustainable energy planning, policies, and implementation
- Builds successful relationships and enables information sharing
- Provides funding opportunities and technical assistance
- Increases successful and cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across Wisconsin
We do this by engaging communities, tribes, state and local officials, businesses, utilities, state programs, nonprofit organizations, technical colleges, and higher education institutions.
Working to disseminate knowledge and build capacity in energy efficiency, renewable energy and resilience across Wisconsin involves a power plant – in this case, UW-Madison Extension and the Office of Energy Innovation (OEI).
UW – Madison Extension
UW-Madison Extension provides assistance by:
- One-on-one technical assistance through site visits, phone, or e-mail consultations
- Educational presentations, process design and facilitation tailored to meet the specific needs of the audience or client
- Network weaving and collaboration
- Participatory planning, stakeholder engagement and building capacity for change
- Workshops with customized content developed to meet the information needs of the stakeholders
- Applied research
- Energy On Wisconsin Website and blog to keep Wisconsin current with policy, news developments, projects, funding opportunities, events and training, and publications and tools, such as the Solar Energy Financing Guide: Empowering Local Governments
Office of Energy Innovation
Working in collaboration, OEI promotes innovative and effective energy policies and programs that benefit Wisconsin’s citizens and businesses.
The Wisconsin OEI provides assistance to residents, businesses, and local governments interested in investing in clean energy and energy efficiency projects. OEI programs include:
This State Extension energy program was established in 2012, with a grant from the US Department of Energy, to further progress toward sustainable energy practices by Wisconsin communities, businesses, farms and the public.
There is national interest in Energy On Wisconsin as one of three US Department of Energy State Energy Extension Partnership pilot grant programs. In 2014, Sherrie Gruder presented information on the program to federal energy and agricultural professionals, congressional staff and Extension leaders in Washington, D.C. to showcase the power of Extension to address 21st century energy issues. In 2019, The United States House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis requested information on the program impacts to consider reinstating federal funding for the partnership program nationally.
An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements.