The Rural Energy for America Program or REAP would receive $2.5 billion over 10 years with the additional appropriations made by the Congressional Agriculture Committee September 9 (sec.12005, p29+) as part of the $3.5 trillion …
Policy
Executive Order Sets Aggressive EV Goals Supported by Industry
President Biden signed an Executive Order August 5, 2021 to strengthen America’s leadership in clean cars and trucks setting the goal that half of all new passenger vehicles sold in the US will be electric …
Federal Infrastructure Bill Would Provide $79 Million for Wisconsin EV Charging
The federal infrastructure bill would provide Wisconsin $79 million over 5 years for electric vehicle charging stations should it pass the House. It passed in the Senate in early August. This would be key to …
US DOE Pumps Up Efficiency with Advanced Water Heating Initiative
Water heating by US homes and businesses can account for up to one third of their energy use. To cut energy use and carbon emissions drastically from heating water, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a nationwide campaign spotlighting heat …
The Digital Age is Coming to a Building Near You
The US Department of Energy set a national goal to triple the energy efficiency and demand flexibility of the buildings sector by 2030, relative to 2020 levels. It is based on new smart technologies and …
Wisconsin Bipartisan Bill on Community Solar
The community solar bill (LRB -1902/2) announced mid-July by two Repulican legislators is designed to stimulate growth of subscription-based community solar to all Wisconsin customers. It allows private market competition for the development of these 5MW or less grid-connected projects and provides energy savings …
Governor’s Budget Invests in Clean Energy
Wisconsin Governor Tony Ever’s 2021-2023 budget makes investments in clean energy, workforce development, and electric vehicle infrastructure, reflecting many of the recommendations from the Climate Task Force. It includes $500,000 annually under the Wisconsin Fast …
Department of Ag Seeks Public Input on Tackling the Climate Crisis
The US Department of Ag is seeking public input by April 29 from Tribes, farmers, ranchers, forest owners, conservation groups, firefighters, and other stakeholders on President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis. Input …
PSC Prompting New Calculations for Distributed Energy Compensation
For the homeowners, businesses, industries, local and tribal governments that have invested in their own solar systems, the return from the utilities on the electricity they put into the grid may be better compensated in the …
PSC Ends Moratorium on Energy Shut-Offs
As of April 15, utilities are able to disconnect customers from electricity and heating fuel for non-payment of their bills for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the winter, funds were available to …