Contact: Michael Vickerman

(608) 255-4044 (after 12:00)

In addition to cutting the conservation and renewables portion of the Public Benefits program by 33%, the Assembly motion would also cap the amount of funding available for home weatherization and other services to at-risk customers.

The motion to cut the funding was introduced by Rep. Tim Hoven, Chair of the Assembly Utilities Committee and a Republican representing Port Washington.

Wisconsin’s Public Benefits program, which encompasses energy conservation, renewable energy development and low-income services, was created in 1999 as part of the Reliability 2000 package promoted by Governor Thompson and adopted by the Legislature.

The establishment of a Public Benefits fund was supported not only by environmental and low-income advocacy organizations, but also consumer and business groups, senior citizens, labor unions, retirees, and many utilities.

Before the Assembly adopted Rep. Hoven’s motion last week, supporters of Public Benefits circulated a letter urging the Legislature to maintain funding at current levels.  “Our state led the nation in the implementation of Public Benefits measures,” the letter says.  “It would be a mistake to alter these important programs before they are given the opportunity to demonstrate their full value.” 

RENEW Wisconsin, a signatory of that letter, denounced the Assembly action.

“Either the Assembly truly believes that encouraging energy waste is enlightened public policy, or this is an example of pettiness and personal pique rising above doing what’s best for the public,” said Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin’s Executive Director.  “If it’s the latter, the Assembly has sunk to a new low.” 

“Energy efficiency is the cornerstone of electric reliability,” Vickerman added.  “The Assembly attack on conservation and renewables promotes the import of pollution into Wisconsin and the export of energy dollars to other states.” 

Vickerman listed four specific impacts that would arise from the funding cuts.

• The Cool Daylighting program is encouraging the state of Wisconsin to adopt a stricter energy code for its own facilities.  The Assembly’s action will impair the state’s ability to assist architects and engineers in designing more energy-efficient buildings. 
• Public Benefits provides funding for the state’s K-12 energy education program, also known as KEEP.  Significant cuts in conservation dollars would effectively pull the plug on KEEP, leaving schoolchildren in the dark about energy. 
• Public Benefits is the only state source of technology R&D funds that can be tapped to support innovative energy projects like Tinedale Farm’s manure-to-methane system.  The Assembly’s action will make it harder for dairy farmers to convert animal waste into clean energy. 
• The Evansville School District is searching for funding sources to create a renewable energy curriculum and install renewable energy systems on school property.  The Assembly’s action limits Public Benefits moneys available for that purpose.

“Does the Assembly really want Wisconsin to become the power plant capital of the Midwest?” Vickerman asked.

¹ State of Wisconsin 2001 Energy Policy: Strategic Directions for Wisconsin’s Energy and Economic Future, June 2001, p. iii.

  RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, promotes a sustainable future based on the efficient use of clean energy sources.