Wisconsin Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance

1999 legislation created public benefits funding for energy efficiency, renewables and low-income energy programs. Funding for the low-income energy portion of the public benefits fund comes from three sources: prior utility (gas and electric) low-income expenditures, a new access fee or customer charge on all electric bills and the current year's federal LIHEAP and weatherization allocations.

In 2006, Governor Jim Doyle announced that the state will provide an additional $16 million for low-income bill payment assistance by shifting money from the state's Public Benefits Fund that would have gone for low-income energy efficiency.

For more information, see electric utility restructuring.

LEVERAGING

2006: $23.9 million
2005: $13.5 million
2004: $18.2 million
2003: $27 million
2002: $16.4 million

LEGISLATION

The "Reliability 2000" Legislation (Part of 1999 Wisconsin Act 9)

Page Last Updated: July 16, 2007