MADISON — Governor Tony Evers announced on April 24th, as the state and country celebrate Earth Week, that the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) awarded $7.8 million from the Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) to 28 projects that will expand access to clean energy and invest in the adoption of innovative technologies and processes. Since the program’s inception in 2017, the PSC has awarded $40 million to 169 EIGP projects statewide. 

“I’ve always said that we don’t have to choose between mitigating climate change and protecting our environment and good-paying jobs and economic development—and through initiatives like the Energy Innovation Grant Program, we are proving that we can and will do both,” said Gov. Evers. “These projects will help strengthen energy infrastructure across Wisconsin while making significant progress in our transition to a clean energy economy, resulting in cleaner air and water and more family-supporting jobs.”

“Increasing energy efficiency will cut costs for Wisconsin communities, help us tackle climate change, and spur economic growth in rural areas,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin). “I’m proud that my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in reliable, renewable power—cleaning up our air, lowering energy bills, and creating good-paying jobs across Wisconsin.”

“The PSC’s Energy Innovation Grant Program empowers Wisconsin manufacturers, schools, local and Tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and more to undertake innovative projects that increase the deployment of renewable energy and improve reliability and sustainability in communities across the state,” said PSC Chairperson Summer Strand. “I am proud to join Gov. Evers in announcing this year’s grant recipients whose projects represent the creativity and vision needed to help support Wisconsin’s clean energy future.”

This round of EIGP funding was provided by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The EIGP encompasses three distinct project types: projects that increase the deployment of renewable energy and energy storage; projects that support energy efficiency and demand response; and projects that facilitate comprehensive energy planning. Many of this year’s selected EIGP projects will help reduce energy burdens, increase clean energy jobs and job training opportunities, improve energy resiliency, and achieve other Justice40 priorities to support disadvantaged communities under the BIL. 

This year, the PSC’s Office of Energy Innovation received 85 grant applications, totaling more than $34 million, signifying strong demand that greatly exceeds the $7.8 million in available funding. Following a thorough review of the applications, the PSC awarded 28 grants ranging from $22,087 to $1 million, with grant recipients providing or securing matching funds of over $8 million. Among the applications chosen for funding, nine grant projects valued at over $3 million will support solar and battery storage. A complete list of grant recipients with brief project descriptions is available here.

These investments will enable the Evers Administration to continue building upon efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy as outlined in Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan. The Clean Energy Plan, released by Gov. Evers in celebration of Earth Day 2022, identifies dozens of paths and strategies aiming to lower energy bills for Wisconsin families, promote energy independence by reducing reliance on out-of-state energy sources, create an estimated more than 40,000 jobs by 2030, and invest in job training and apprenticeship programs in innovative industries and technologies. The EIGP will help reach the state’s goal through efforts to upgrade and strengthen energy infrastructure in the state, helping to ensure critical access to secure, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy while accelerating the state’s clean energy economy.

A list and map of the EIGP award recipients is available here.