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Wisconsin PBF/ USF History, Legislation, Implementation

Legislation Cite and Date
Wisconsin Act 9 (11/99)

Low-Income Provisions
Comprehensive restructuring legislation has not been enacted, but a statutory framework was established to continue and expand public benefits programs including low-income rate assistance and conservation. The low-income programs are permanently funded.

Low-Income Rate Assistance
Funding for the low-income energy portion of the public benefits fund (PBF) consists of existing (pre 1999) utility-funded low-income programs and a new access fee or customer charge on all electric bills. Since FY 2001, the state has integrated the low-income public benefit funds with LIHEAP. Eligible low-income households receive a non-heating electric benefit, plus crisis benefits and furnace repair and replacement.

Low-Income Conservation
Funding for the low-income energy portion of the public benefits fund (PBF) consists of existing (pre 1999) utility-funded low-income programs and a new access fee or customer charge on all electric bills. Eligible household receive enhanced electricity-saving measures, including refrigerator replacements, water heater conversions and air conditioning efficiency measures.

Annual Funding (2009)
Rate Assistance: $34 million
Conservation: $47 million

Funding Mechanism
Surcharge on all electric customers, 70% residential, 30% commercial and industrial.

Administration
Department of Administration, the LIHEAP and WAP grantee

Pre-Public Benefit Funding
Rate Assistance: $13 million
Conservation: $ 8 million

Reports / Evaluations
State Report: Wisconsin, from Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Energy Programs: Performance and Possibilities, APPRISE and Fisher, Sheehan, and Colton, July 2007

Home Energy Plus Public Benefits Annual Report (for 2008)

More information, frequently updated reports, including evaluations of the low-income programs, can be found at the DOA Division of Energy website.

Page last updated: October 21, 2011