Press Release: DOA and PSC Highlight National Cut Your Energy Costs Day with Weatherization Program Visits

STATE OF WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

Tony Evers, Governor

Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary

DOA and PSC Highlight National Cut Your Energy Costs Day with Weatherization Program Visits

Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) Commissioner Tyler Huebner marked National Cut Your Energy Costs Day with a visit to Project Home, a local nonprofit providing weatherization and home improvement services. The DOA Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR) works with Project Home and other service providers to deliver weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades to eligible households, while PSC is focused on supporting energy efficiency efforts statewide.

In addition to meeting with Project Home leadership and staff, Secretary Blumenfeld and Commissioner Huebner toured the home of Project Home weatherization clients to see the impact of weatherization work and upgrades first-hand.

From left: Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld; Project Home Executive Director Denise Matyka; Elizabeth Wheeler, Executive Assistant to Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner; Commissioner Huebner; and Adam Weisse, Program Manager for Project Home.

“Wisconsin is a recognized leader in weatherization efforts, and I’m thrilled to be spotlighting the savings and environmental impact of weatherization as well as the resources available to Wisconsinites across the state,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “Weatherization not only helps reduce the energy burden for households that struggle with energy bills, it’s good for the environment, and helps improve overall health and safety of our homes.”

“The Inflation Reduction Act presents an historic opportunity to cut energy costs in Wisconsin by making it easier and more affordable for residents to complete energy-efficient improvements to their homes,” said PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner. “The new rebate programs will complement the work that DOA, Project Home, and other community partners have led to make weatherization and conservation services more accessible.”

“Project Home is proud to be a long-standing service provider in Wisconsin’s Weatherization network, providing critical services to households in need right here in our own community,” said Denise Matyka, Project Home executive director. “We hope to continue to grow that partnership into the future as more and more households are facing rising energy costs and tightening household budgets. Project Home is excited to begin implementing new technologies like heat pump water heaters and air source heat pumps as we continue to focus on decarbonizing our state’s energy use, while still maintaining our core focus of making every home safe and sound.”

Maximizing energy efficiency is one of the four pillars of the state’s Clean Energy Plan. Gov. Evers also created the Green Ribbon Commission on Clean Energy and Environmental Innovation to advise on creating the state’s first-ever Green Innovation Fund, which will leverage public and private financing to invest in projects that provide environmental and clean energy solutions to businesses, reduce pollution, lower energy costs for families, and expand access to clean, affordable energy options.

Wisconsin will receive $149 million under the Inflation Reduction Act to deliver the Home Energy Rebate Programs and help customers complete home energy efficiency and electrification projects. The PSC selected Focus on Energy to implement the programs in order to take advantage of resources and systems already in place. Home Energy Rebate programs will be coordinated with Focus on Energy and Weatherization program offerings while being funded and managed separately. Home Energy Rebates are expected to be available in Summer 2024. Focus on Energy is hosting informational events about these programs beginning January 2024. More information is available at focusonenergy.com/home-energy-rebates.

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program, which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and weatherization for low-income households. Applications can be made online at energybenefit.wi.gov or by calling the statewide customer care center at 1-800-506-5596. Additional resources may be available at energyandhousing.wi.gov. The annual winter moratorium is currently in effect until April 15, prohibiting utility providers from disconnecting residential heating services for nonpayment.

Wisconsin’s Weatherization Assistance Program is funded with a combination of state and federal funds including U.S. Department of Energy, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and state Public Benefits funding. Home Energy Plus includes the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Home Energy Plus Furnace Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program, and is administered by the DOA Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) through a network of county agencies, tribal governments, community-based organizations, and housing authorities.