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OEI Grant Programs
Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund
- Public comments are now being accepted related to the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program (EERLF).
- Comments must be submitted through the Commission's website. On the Commission's website, click the "File a Comment" button and then navigate to the docket 9715-FG-2023. Comments must be submitted by Monday, December 9, 2024, at 1:30pm CT.
- Be sure to subscribe to the program docket, 9715-FG-2023, using EZ-subscribe to receive updates.
- Scoping decisions will be made at a future Commission meeting. The Commission meeting may be held in-person and broadcasted virtually through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's Youtube channel. To get more details about the Commission meeting, visit the PSC Event Calendar.
- Visit the link below to view the Memo.
Grid Resilience Program Grant Award Announcement
- The U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) recently awarded nearly $5.6 million to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission). These funds were awarded to PSC for its Year Three allocation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Grid Resilience Program to improve resiliency of the electric grid.
- U.S. DOE previously awarded PSC $10.2 million for its Year One and Year Two state allocation. In its June 14, 2024 Order, the Commission awarded $8.5 million in grants to twelve cooperatives and four municipal utilities under docket 9713-FG-2022. Remaining funds will be used in Round Two.
- Future rounds of funding for this five-year formula grant program will likely undergo a similar scoping and solicitation process as Round One. The OEI will consider the timing for scoping Round Two in 2025.
- Subscribe to docket 9713-FG-2024 using EZ e-Subscribe to receive program updates.
- Visit the links below to learn more.
OEI Newsletter Archives
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You can now view past OEI's newsletters, beginning with those from 2023, on our newsletter archive webpage.
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Visit the link below to view our archives.
Focus on Energy
- Focus on Energy is offering a Black Friday Smart Thermostat Promotion from November 13, 2024, through December 2, 2024.
- A smart thermostat can save energy by learning your household's patterns and automatically adjusting your home's temperature settings throughout the day, keeping your home comfortable and saving you energy and money.
- Visit the link below to find deep discounts on eligible products starting at only $4.99!
IRA Home Energy Rebates
- Primary IRA Registered Contractors can now reserve and redeem IRA HOMES rebates online using the Partner Hub Portal. Visit the link below to access the Partner Hub Portal.
- IRA Registered Contractors are encouraged to attend an online training workshop to learn how to use the Partner Hub Portal to submit projects for rebates. Visit the link below to register for the online training workshop.
- As a reminder, you must be registered as a Primary IRA Registered Contractor to offer your customers IRA HOMES rebates. Visit the link below to join the program as an IRA Registered Contractor in order to offer both the IRA HOMES rebates and the IRA HEAR rebates.
Federal Funding Opportunities
Clean Energy Careers for All Program
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The U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) recently announced the Clean Energy Careers for All Program that will fund initiatives aimed at developing a diverse clean energy workforce by targeting a wide variety of groups within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
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The Clean Energy Careers for All (CEC4A) will award nearly $3 million to non-profit educational organizations, including engineering, scientific, and technical societies to support programs that promote the awareness and interest in clean energy careers among K-12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
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Eligible programs will be focused on some or all of the following criteria:
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Facilitating work-based learning opportunities (like internships, apprenticeships, or other job-based experiences) with industry partners
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Providing career coaching and mentorships (including soft skills development).
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Enhancing education and curriculum development
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Providing career exposure (virtual exposure or in-person visits) to stakeholder groups at multiple levels of the clean energy workforce pipeline
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Up to 10 organizations will be awarded approximately $300,000 during Phase 1 of the program. Phase 1 awardees will be eligible to receive a Phase 2 award based on their initiative’s performance. The top three to five teams will split an additional award pool of $750,000 in the culmination of Phase 2.
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Phase 1 submissions are due on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 5pm ET.
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To learn more and to apply, visit the links below.
Rural Business Development Grants in Wisconsin
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced Rural Business Development Grants available in Wisconsin. This program will focus on promoting economic development and job creation projects.
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Eligible applicants include a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.
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Eligible applicants will compete in two separate categories: business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants.
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Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding.
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Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.
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There is no maximum grant amount, however, small requests will be given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement.
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Applications are due on February 28, 2025, by 4:30pm CT to the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the project is located.
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Visit the link below to learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.
Learning Opportunities
Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity Playbook
- The Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity Playbook is designed to be a tool for program administrators at community-based organizations (CBO) and government offices seeking to establish, improve, or expand building energy upgrade programs for low-and moderate-income housing in their communities. The Playbook aims to ensure that such programs are community led, easy to use, and able to accelerate equitable decarbonization across the country.
- The Playbook is organized in three sections: Planning an Equitable Engagement Process, Identifying Your Community and Upgrade Priorities, and Crafting a Well-Designed and Equitable Program. Each of the sections include foundational information, followed by actions that program designers can take.
- The Playbook also includes best practices that can help administrators ensure that their programs achieve lower energy bills and contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, racial and social equity, improved health outcomes, and local economic development.
- To learn more and to read the Playbook, visit the link below.
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PSC is transitioning to using govDelivery for sending general communication such as press releases and program area newsletters. The govDelivery platform is used by thousands of government agencies for sending engaging, secure, and timely messaging. For more information about govDelivery, visit the govDelivery website.
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