Take action NOW for energy equity in Wisconsin! (2024)

We have the chance to impact the two Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebate programs, and we need YOU to submit comments to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) about the draft plan! These programs, referred to as HOMES (Home Energy Performance-Based, Whole House Rebate) and HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate), could give Wisconsinites the chance to prioritize climate justice in our state. This is an opportunity to advocate for maximizing program benefits for low-income Wisconsin residents and those who face the highest energy burdens, and directing spending towards upgrades that will advance clean energy and decarbonization goals. The public is invited to submit comments to the PSC until April 16th, which means the time to take action is right now!

HOMESis a rebate program intended to financially assist homeowners and landlords to make energy efficiency and building upgrades that will reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. In Wisconsin, the HOMES has $74 million for improvements like air sealing, insulation, ventilation, and installation of heating equipment. The program also allows for the combination of these rebates with other incentives, which could potentially cover more of the cost for qualifying households.

HEARrebates are intended to make the switch to energy-efficient electric appliances more affordable for low- and middle-income homeowners and renters. Appliances that would qualify for rebates include heat pumps for heating, hot water, and clothes drying, and electric stoves and ovens; all appliances must be ENERGY STAR certified. Rebates will also be available for improvements like electrical panel upgrades, electrical wiring, and insulation that are complementary to the electrical appliances.

To make comments to the PSC on both of these dockets, you will need to submit comments to two different pages. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program (Docket ID 9717-FG-2023) comments can be submitted here. The HOMES Rebate Program (Docket ID 9716-FG-2023) comments can be submitted here.For help with crafting your comments, see the talking points and sample comments below!

HEAR

We encourage you to add your own personal stories if you have them. For example: “I myself am a middle-income homeowner who has wanted to switch to HP water heater and induction stove, and possibly in the future, a heat pump for heating and cooling. The upfront costs of these appliances are a lot and would be a major impediment. Also, my 1950s ranch house still has a 60 amp electric service so would need to be upgraded as well. Rebates available under this program will be crucial to move forward with these projects.”

Submit your HEAR comment here!

I am writing to express strong support for the overall plan for the HEAR program, to be administered by Focus on Energy. The HEAR program will be incredibly beneficial to:

• The climate – it’s the largest program to date that targets energy efficiency, affordability, and reduction of fossil fuel usage in homes.
• Individual residents & families – especially low- and middle-income Wisconsin families who previously could not afford to upgrade to efficient and healthy electric appliances. And not just homeowners – renters can also benefit as their landlords are eligible for the same rebates. Upfront costs are currently a significant barrier.

As the program details are finalized, I urge the commissioners to maximize the benefits of the HEAR program for low-income Wisconsin residents – both renters and homeowners. These households face the highest energy burdens and have experienced the greatest barriers to participating in other efficiency and electrification programs,as stated in the program’s objectives and principles (Staff Memo, p. 5). Specifically, I ask that the Commission:

• Maintain the higher rebate levels for low-income households so that 100% of their costs are covered.
• Increase the program budget reserved for low-income households and multi-family buildings.
• Extend the minimum two-year safeguards that protect tenants against rent increases when building owners utilize the rebates to make property upgrades.
• Clarify the procedures that renters in Wisconsin will need to follow to be able to directly request rebates under the HEAR program.

To ensure that the HEAR program funds are directed to the maximum extent possible toward clean energy and decarbonization goals, I encourage the Commission to maintain the list of eligible upgrades as defined in the original IRA legislation and allow property owners, in consultation with their contractors, the freedom to choose the ones that best fit their needs. As the administering agency, Focus on Energy should prioritize community outreach and contractor training on households that will benefit the most from switching to heat pumps (e.g., households that rely on delivered fuels like propane and fuel oil or depend on electric resistance heating).

HOMES

We encourage you to add your own personal stories if you have them. For example: “As a middle-income homeowner who has undertaken some energy efficiency projects already, I can attest to the high costs of these projects and the importance of helping moderate-income folks afford these upgrades.

Submit your HOMES comment here!

I am writing to express strong support for the overall plan for the HOMES rebate program, to be administered by Focus on Energy. The HOMES rebate program will be incredibly beneficial for:

• The climate – the large scale of this efficiency program will result in significant fossil fuel reduction across the state.
• Individual residents & families – especially low- and middle-income households that previously could not afford the significant upfront costs of weatherizing and insulating their homes to improve energy efficiency. Renters will also be able to benefit as their landlords are eligible for the same rebates.

However, I am concerned that the current HOMES draft proposal does not do enough to target low-income homeowners and renters, who experience the highest energy burdens and greatest barriers to participating in other efficiency programs. To make the program delivery more equitable, I urge the Commissioners to:

• Increase the HOMES rebate amounts for low-income households while decreasing the rebates that high-income households will receive.
• Limit program eligibility in the first phase of the program to low- and middle-income households and prioritize outreach to low-income and historically disadvantaged communities during that period.
• Increase the amount of money in the HOME program budget that is reserved for low-income households and multi-family buildings.
• Extend the minimum two-year safeguards that protect tenants against rent increases when building owners utilize the rebates to make property upgrades.
• Clarify the procedures that renters in Wisconsin will need to follow to be able to directly request rebates under the HOMES program.

The HOMES program proposal currently falls short in another way: it allows rebates to be used to upgrade fossil fuel appliances. This undermines the purpose of the IRA legislation and the HER programs to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce indoor and outdoor pollution, increase home comfort, and address climate change. Therefore, I urge the Commission to direct the use of HOMES rebates toward building energy efficiency and decarbonization. Rebates for fossil fuel equipment should not be allowed except under extraordinary and limited conditions.