BUSINESS

Focus on Energy helps homeowners with rebates, improved efficiency. Activists want to expand it to help renters as well.

Corrinne Hess
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

With Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program currently under review, a group of nonprofit organizations are calling on the state to lower the amount of money people spend on utility bills, particularly in Black and Latinx communities

The groups also want regulators to make the popular program more easily available to renters.

The Sierra Club's Wisconsin Chapter hosted a press conference Tuesday highlighting personal stories of energy burden disparities. 

While there is some access to Focus on Energy programs to assist low income residents, they are often inadequate — especially for renters, said Cassie Steiner spokeswoman for the Sierra Club. 

Steiner shared the story of a senior in the 53206 zip code living on $900 per month. She keeps her thermostat so low that she is very cold, and only runs her air conditioning when it is very hot outside. 

"She pays her bill every month," Steiner said. "Why in 2022 are these disparities still affecting us?" 

Steiner shared another story of a financial planner who works in the 53212 zip code. Many of her clients have an average income of $2,200 to $2,400 per month and pay $200 to $250 per month for their energy bills. Trying to pay down debt to improve credit scores, so they can also purchase a house, is nearly impossible, the planner wrote. 

Using the Sierra Club's energy burden calculator, in both cases the burden is 10%. That means 10% of their income is going to energy bills. The national average is 2.6%. 

More:Wisconsin's moratorium on utility shut-offs ends April 15. Here's what to do if you need help with your bills.

More:We Energies, WPS want to increase rates by $60 to $72 a year for the average residential customer starting in 2023

Focus could include programs for lower income

Focus on Energy was created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1999. The program works with eligible residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in exchange for technical assistance and

financial incentives. 

The purpose is to help Wisconsin residents and businesses control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas, manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, and protect the environment.

Funded by the utilities, Focus has generated over $4 in benefits for each $1 invested. 

Every four years, the program undergoes a reevaluation by the Public Service Commission to determine funding priorities and programs. The PSC is currently reviewing the program and will begin to look at how Focus on Energy can better serve lower income customers.

Speakers from Groundwork Milwaukee, Green Homeowners United, Blue Green Alliance and Great Waters Group also shared stories about people struggling because of their energy burden. 

"I don't think that someone should have to determine if they should have to pay one bill  or another," said Keviea Guiden with Groundwork Milwaukee. "Or determine if the dog or the baby eats. Folks are being put in compromising situations." 

The non-profit groups are asking regulators to consider allowing renters in the Focus Program. They would also add programs to focus on low-income customers, high energy burden populations, utility debt forgiveness and carbon emission reductions.

Renters are currently eligible to participate in Focus on Energy with these two programs:

Energy Saving Packs

Focus On Energy Marketplace | Energy Efficient Products Marketplace

Owners with one to three  housing units, can apply for the Residential Heating and Cooling Program

Property owners with more than four housing units can apply for the multi-family program: Multifamily Customers | Focus on Energy

There are three phases in the PSC review process. Phase II comments are from July 6-22, and Phase III are from Aug. 15-Sept. 2.

To provide a comment to the PSC, click sc.org/FocusOnEnergy.

Corrinne Hess can be reached at chess@gannett.com. Follow her @corrihess