MADISON, WI – In partnership with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) and Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program, Governor Tony Evers proclaimed October 4, 2023, “Energy Efficiency Day.” Energy efficiency advocacy groups from around the United States celebrate all the programs, new technologies, and people working every day to build a more sustainable energy future.
"Energy efficiency improvements to homes and businesses have a positive impact on our state, helping lower costs for working families, improving our critical infrastructure, and building a sustainable future for our kids," said Gov. Evers. "As we work toward our shared goal of all electricity consumed in Wisconsin to be carbon-free by 2050, I am proud to again proclaim Energy Efficiency Day to bring attention to the easy and affordable ways we can be more energy efficient."
Wisconsin residents and businesses working with Focus on Energy since 2001 have eliminated energy waste, played a part in creating jobs, and improved the environment through the installation of cost-effective energy efficient and renewable energy projects. In the last four years, 2019-2022, residential solar panel installations that received Focus on Energy rebates grew 155%, producing enough energy to power more than 214,000 Wisconsin homes for one year. A recent achievement report and 2022 annual evaluation showed Focus on Energy incentives, rebates, and Energy Advisors working with Wisconsin businesses saved enough energy in 2022 to power 733,000 homes in Wisconsin for one year.
"By collaborating with Wisconsin utilities and Focus on Energy, we have improved energy efficiency efforts in our state, eliminating energy waste and reducing customer bills," said PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. "This decades-long partnership has proven beneficial, helping create new jobs, bolster our state economy, and avoid the costly construction of new power plants."
Focus on Energy has helped more than 2.8 million residents and businesses in the last two decades. Those who participated in the program in just the last four years (2019-2022) will save a combined $3.5 billion on their energy bills over the lifetime of their installed equipment.
“Newer energy efficiency products and technology, such as air source heat pumps, are getting a lot of attention,” said. Focus on Energy Managing Director Lisa Stefanik. “Businesses tell us, ‘We couldn’t have completed these projects and saved millions of dollars and all this energy without the resources from Focus on Energy and our utility.’”