Energy (Utility Regulation) in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 1167: Relating to: prohibiting recovery of a rate of return on retired electric generating facilities; an exemption from certificate requirements for constructing a large electric generating facility; and a permit dashboard for applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity. (FE)

This bill addresses three main areas of electric utility regulation. First, it prevents electric companies from charging customers for the profits they made on power plants that have already been retired. Second, it creates a public online dashboard to track the status of applications for permits needed to build large electric generating facilities. Third, it adds requirements for new large power facilities to show they will use at least 70% of their electricity for manufacturing or mining at the same location, and to agree to pay for connecting to the public power grid. These changes directly affect electric utilities, customers who pay utility rates, and developers seeking to build new power generation projects.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1092: Relating to: a cap on rate increases for retail electric service.

This bill would limit how much electric utility rates can increase for retail customers, capping annual rate hikes at 5 percent. It directly affects Wisconsin retail electric service providers and their customers by establishing a statutory ceiling on rate increases. The legislation creates a new provision in state statutes that would prevent the public service commission from approving rate increases exceeding this threshold. The bill would take effect on January 1, 2029, after repealing an existing provision that is scheduled to be removed on that date.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 858: Relating to: Public Service Commission consideration of the social cost of carbon emissions and the recovery of costs relating to fossil fuel energy production infrastructure and transitioning to renewable resource energy production. (FE)

AB 858 requires Wisconsin's Public Service Commission to consider a minimum "social cost of carbon" of $185 per metric ton of CO2 emissions when reviewing energy certificates. It mandates that costs for expanding fossil fuel infrastructure can only be recovered from customers who directly benefit from that infrastructure, and prohibits passing transition costs to renewable energy onto ratepayers. The bill directly affects utilities seeking infrastructure investments and residential/commercial electricity customers paying rates. Key provisions ensure fossil fuel expansion costs are tied to specific beneficiaries while shielding customers from transition expenses during the shift to renewables.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation Climate Change

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 867: Relating to: on-bill financing of energy improvements and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

AB 867 creates a new program allowing public utilities to finance energy improvements (like solar panels or insulation) at residential properties. Utilities would cover the upfront costs and recover them over time by adding a small, regular charge to the homeowner's utility bill. The Public Service Commission must develop rules to govern this program. This directly affects homeowners seeking energy upgrades and the utilities offering this financing option.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 868: Relating to: Focus on Energy inclusion of programs promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

AB 868 requires Wisconsin's energy utility programs to dedicate at least 25% of annual energy efficiency funding toward initiatives specifically serving low-income households. The bill defines "low-income household" using an existing state definition and mandates programs that reduce energy costs and improve efficiency for these households. It also requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate these programs every four years, setting goals to prioritize reducing energy burdens and environmental impacts for low-income residents. The law directly affects low-income households by ensuring their energy needs are addressed through utility-funded programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 858: Relating to: on-bill financing of energy improvements and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 858 creates a program allowing public utilities to finance energy improvements (like solar panels or insulation) at residential properties. Utilities would recover these costs over time by adding a periodic surcharge to customers' monthly utility bills for that specific home. The Public Service Commission must develop rules to implement this program. This directly affects homeowners who participate in the program and the utilities offering it, with no upfront costs required from residents.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 857: Relating to: the Energy Innovation Grant Program and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 857 establishes the Energy Innovation Grant Program, allocating $10 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The program is administered by the Office of Energy Innovation within the Public Service Commission to fund energy innovation projects. It creates new statutory references (20.155(3)(e) and 196.379) to formalize the grant program and its funding structure. This bill directly affects the Public Service Commission and its Office of Energy Innovation by providing dedicated funding for energy-related grants. The program does not specify eligible projects or recipients, only creating the funding mechanism and administrative structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 872: Relating to: the Energy Innovation Grant Program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 872 creates a new Energy Innovation Grant Program to fund projects advancing clean energy technologies. It allocates $10 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, directly supporting the Office of Energy Innovation within the Public Service Commission. The program allows the agency to distribute grants for innovative energy solutions, with no specific project types or recipient criteria detailed in the bill. This is a funding measure with no voting record yet, as the bill was introduced on January 16, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 785: Relating to: a percentage of income payment program for electricity and gas service, electricity and gas service disconnections, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 785 establishes a program to cap electricity and gas costs at 2% of a household's annual income for energy burdened households (spending 2-4% of income on utilities) and severely energy burdened households (spending 4% or more, or having no income with utility bills). It prohibits utility disconnections for residential customers with income up to 300% of the federal poverty level due to nonpayment and creates an "energy burden relief fund" to finance the program. The bill requires automatic enrollment for eligible households, an online application portal, and annual reporting by the Public Service Commission on program administration and barriers to participation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Appropriations Utility Regulation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 3: Relating to: requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval.

SB 3 requires local governments to approve certain wind and solar energy projects before the Public Service Commission can review them. This directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build projects and local municipalities responsible for granting permits. The bill creates a new step where community-level approval must be secured prior to state-level review by the Public Service Commission. This changes the current process by adding a mandatory local consent requirement before state agencies can act on these projects.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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