AB826: Bill Text

LRB-0134/1

EHS:wlj

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Assembly BILL 826

December 22, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Myers, Goyke, Clancy, Jacobson, Andraca, Baldeh, Conley, Considine, Drake, Emerson, J. Anderson, Joers, Madison, Moore Omokunde, Neubauer, Palmeri, Ratcliff, Sinicki, Shelton, Stubbs, Subeck, Vining and C. Anderson, cosponsored by Senators Larson, Taylor, Roys, Agard, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Spreitzer and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Energy and Utilities.

AB826,1,4 An Act to amend 196.374 (3) (b) 1.; and to create 196.374 (1) (gm), 196.374 (2) (a) 2. f. and 196.374 (3) (f) 5. of the statutes; relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law requires investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities to fund statewide energy efficiency and renewable resources programs, known as Focus on Energy. This bill requires that Focus on Energy includes programs that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households and that address the energy needs and decrease the energy burden of low-income households. The bill also requires utilities to coordinate these energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households with the weatherization assistance program administered by the Department of Administration. Under the bill, the Public Service Commission must ensure that not less than 25 percent of the moneys that utilities must spend to fund Focus on Energy is spent annually on these programs for low-income households.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB826,1 Section 1. 196.374 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB826,2,3 196.374 (1) (gm) “Low-income household” has the meaning given in s. 16.957 (1) (m).

AB826,2 Section 2. 196.374 (2) (a) 2. f. of the statutes is created to read:

AB826,2,12 196.374 (2) (a) 2. f. Components, in coordination with the weatherization assistance program administered by the department of administration under s. 16.26, to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households in this state and initiatives and market strategies to address the energy needs and decrease the energy burden of low-income households. The commission shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the moneys energy utilities are required to spend under subd. 1. or sub. (3) (b) 2. is spent annually on programs under this subd. 2. f.

AB826,3 Section 3. 196.374 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB826,2,23 196.374 (3) (b) 1. At least every 4 years, after notice and opportunity to be heard, the commission shall, by order, evaluate the energy efficiency and renewable resource programs under sub. (2) (a) 1., (b) 1. and 2., and (c) and ordered programs and set or revise goals, priorities, and measurable targets for the programs. The commission shall give priority to programs that moderate the growth in electric and natural gas demand and usage, facilitate markets and assist market providers to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency, promote energy reliability and adequacy, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households, avoid adverse environmental impacts from the use of energy, and promote rural economic development.

AB826,4 Section 4. 196.374 (3) (f) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

AB826,3,3 196.374 (3) (f) 5. Minimum requirements for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures under sub. (2) (a) 2. f. for low-income households and eligibility requirements for programs for low-income households.

AB826,3,4 (End)