AB792: Bill Text

EHS:cdc

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly BILL 792

January 4, 2022 - Introduced by Representatives L. Myers, Brostoff, Goyke, Ohnstad, Anderson, Hong, Cabrera, Hebl, Sinicki, Neubauer, Andraca, Snodgrass, Pope, Shelton, Conley, Subeck, Stubbs, Milroy, Emerson, B. Meyers, Shankland, S. Rodriguez, Considine, Vining and Baldeh, cosponsored by Senators Larson, L. Taylor, Erpenbach, Agard, Roys and Smith. Referred to Committee on Energy and Utilities.

AB792,1,4 An Act to amend 196.374 (2) (a) 1. and 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, and related programs. The bill requires Focus on Energy to include 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 requires these programs to be coordinated with the weatherization assistance program administered by the Department of Administration. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to ensure that that not less than 25 percent of the moneys utilities are required to 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:

AB792,1 Section 1. 196.374 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB792,2,3 196.374 (1) (gm) “Low-income household” has the meaning given in s. 16.957 (1) (m).

AB792,2 Section 2. 196.374 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB792,2,12 196.374 (2) (a) 1. The energy utilities in this state shall collectively establish and fund statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs , including programs for low-income households. The energy utilities shall contract, on the basis of competitive bids, with one or more persons to develop and administer the programs. The utilities may not execute a contract under this subdivision unless the commission has approved the contract. The commission shall require each energy utility to spend the amount required under sub. (3) (b) 2. to fund statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs.

AB792,3 Section 3. 196.374 (2) (a) 2. f. of the statutes is created to read:

AB792,2,21 196.374 (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 utilities are required to spend under subd. 1. or sub. (3) (b) 2. is spent annually on programs under this subdivision paragraph.

AB792,4 Section 4. 196.374 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB792,3,7 196.374 (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.

AB792,5 Section 5. 196.374 (3) (f) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

AB792,3,11 196.374 (3) (f) 5. Minimum requirements for energy efficiency and renewable resource programs under sub. (2) (a) 1. for low-income households and eligibility requirements for programs for low-income households.

AB792,3,12 (End)