MADISON – Newly-released findings from an economic impact analysis detail the notable benefits FOCUS ON ENERGY®, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy resource program, generated for the state throughout its 2015-2018 quadrennium period.

The study found Focus on Energy investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy during the 2015 – 2018 quadrennium will add $2.2 billion in economic benefits to the Wisconsin economy through 2042. Investments in energy-saving measures through Focus on Energy programs generate instant, long-term benefits that accrue over time with continued use.

The report from Cadmus also reveals Focus on Energy created almost 21,000 jobs from 2015 – 2018, with each Program year expected to generate 5,250 jobs or more through 2042. The healthcare, retail trade and manufacturing industries will experience the greatest job growth resulting from the Program’s statewide initiatives. Most of these jobs are created by growing demand of efficient equipment, which supports suppliers and circulates money in the local economy, leading to increased market need for local services.

Other highlights of the 2015 – 2018 analysis include:

• Emissions reductions of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments add up to roughly $212 million in economic benefits.
• Projects completed through Focus on Energy generated nearly 30 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in lifecycle electric savings and over 1.12 billion therms in lifecycle natural gas savings.
• Focus on Energy paid out nearly $250 million in incentives to Wisconsin residents and businesses who participated in one or more of its programs.

“These results show that the Focus on Energy Program continues to deliver results, both economic and environmental, for Wisconsinites,” said Focus on Energy Program Director Erinn Monroe-Nye. “For almost two decades, Focus on Energy has partnered with Wisconsin utilities to support customers in reducing energy use and supporting clean energy jobs along the entire product supply chain.”

A separate independent evaluation of Focus on Energy’s 2019 work, also prepared by Cadmus, shows satisfaction with Focus on Energy among those who have participated in the Program soared to 9.3 on a 10-point scale, up from a 9.1 in 2018. It also demonstrates that satisfaction with all Focus on Energy residential and non-residential offerings either stayed the same or increased in 2019.

In addition to being extremely popular with customers, Cadmus used a method introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the fall of 2019 to calculate the electricity, gas and emissions benefits of Focus on Energy for the state of Wisconsin and, for the first time, put a dollar amount on the health benefits of the Program. Calculations found Focus on Energy generated $87,807,752 in health benefits for Wisconsin in 2019, accumulated by reduced emissions attributable to Focus on Energy activity.

The 2019 report also shows that Focus on Energy programs continue to prove worthwhile investments. Every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $4.80 in benefits, including economic benefits to the state, reduced energy costs and reduced pollution.

“Focus on Energy provides tremendous value to our state. These benefits are now as important as ever – Focus grows Wisconsin’s economy while saving customers money on their energy bills, and saving costs statewide by reducing power needs,” said Commissioner Tyler Huebner at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. “What’s more, Focus reduces air pollution, provides Wisconsinites with millions of dollars of health benefits, and is now more customer-friendly than ever. I’m proud to be a part of it and excited about the future as we work to make Focus better than ever.”

Read about other key findings from the evaluation reports at www.focusonenergy.com/evaluation.

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment, and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information, call 800.762.7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com