Local Governments Awarded State Funding for Clean Energy Projects
Press Release - April 25, 2024
Six WLGCC members were awarded funding through the Public Service Commission’s Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) for important local clean energy projects, bringing them closer to reaching their carbon reduction and clean energy goals.
The City of Stevens Point, in partnership with Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition (WLGCC), ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA), and over 20 other WLGCC member communities, was awarded $178,000 to support local governments’ community-wide comprehensive energy planning efforts. The project will provide local governments with foundational services to complete a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory, support identifying energy strategies that align with Justice40 priorities, and streamline the process of collecting energy and emissions data.
“I’m very proud and honored that we’ve been awarded an Energy Innovation Grant.” said Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza. “This grant will help our community lead the way in establishing a statewide standard for measuring greenhouse gas emissions in communities in Wisconsin. Working with our membership in the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition, we’ll be able to share data to better understand how communities can reduce their impact on the environment.”
Five additional members were also awarded funding for clean energy projects in their communities:
The City of La Crosse was awarded funding to increase energy efficiency for up to 500 homes in the City through complimentary home energy assessments and energy efficiency upgrades
The City of Racine was awarded funding to install an electric vehicle charging station as well as funding to complete an Investment Grade Audit to assess the feasibility of a combined geothermal and solar project at Racine Memorial Hall and the Racine Public Library
The City of Madison was awarded funding to support the study of transformational energy saving opportunities as well as create an implementation plan for ground-source heating infrastructure at Monona Terrace
The City of Oshkosh was awarded funding to assess the city’s municipal buildings and develop a comprehensive energy roadmap. The project will analyze building characteristics, assess solar potential, and identify energy-related investments
La Crosse County was awarded funding to explore the feasibility of a microgrid in downtown La Crosse. The study will explore ownership models, resiliency threats and needs, and how a microgrid can provide power for a community resiliency center and critical government functions
“We thank the Commission for their thoughtful investments in our local communities across the state.” said Allison Carlson, Executive Director at WLGCC. “I am especially excited to work with the City of Stevens Point and ICLEI USA to offer our members resources and assistance to complete community-wide GHG inventories, a foundational first step to pursuing their clean energy and climate goals. If this is of interest to other local governments, I encourage them to contact us – it’s a great time to become a member of WLGCC!”
Local governments, especially our members, are leading the way in advancing climate solutions and developing thriving communities for the future. WLGCC applauds the Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation for supporting these important projects which will not only help local communities reach their carbon reduction goals, but also help the State of Wisconsin reach its goal of ensuring all electricity in the State is 100% carbon-free by 2050.
The Energy Innovation Grant Program supports a wide variety of energy projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, energy planning, and more. This round of EIGP is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the US Department of Energy. A complete list of EIGP awards can be found here.
About ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI USA)
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is the first and largest global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments devoted to solving the world's most intractable sustainability challenges. The worldwide network is active in 125+ countries, focused on influencing sustainability policies and driving local action across five key pathways: low emissions, resilient, equitable, people-centered, nature-based, and circular development.
As the USA Office of a global ICLEI network, ICLEI USA develops and delivers leading-edge tools and resources, including its state-of-the-art emissions-management tool, ClearPath Climate Planner, to support local government's climate change efforts. Our standards, tools, and programs credibly, transparently, and robustly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve lives and livelihoods, and protect natural resources in the U.S. communities we serve. ICLEI USA and our network partners are working to keep 1.5 ℃ alive through a data-driven approach focusing on just and equitable communities.