Focus on Energy: Energy saving efforts strengthen Wisconsin’s economy

Casey Langan, Senior PR & Media Relations Specialist
608.230.7031
Casey.Langan@focusonenergy.com

Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program is cost-effective at delivering significant energy savings and high customer satisfaction according to an independent evaluation report.

The report, prepared by The Cadmus Group, found that every dollar invested in Focus on Energy projects in 2016 returned another $3 in benefits to Wisconsin.

The statewide Focus on Energy program has been funded by Wisconsin energy utilities since its creation in 2001. It promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy through a portfolio of programs and incentives to residents, retailers, local governments, schools, farms and businesses of all sizes.

“Focus on Energy fuels our state’s economy by creating jobs, supporting Wisconsin’s energy sector and helping utility customers keep more money in their pockets by reducing their utility bills,” said Andrea Hansen, Director of Marketing and Communications for Focus on Energy.

“When the work of Focus on Energy allows utilities to defer costs or invest less money in infrastructure and out-of-state fuel purchases, this achieves savings for all utility customers through lower energy costs,” Hansen said.

“Bottom line, this evaluation confirms that Focus on Energy’s benefits to Wisconsin far exceed its costs,” Hansen added.

Other key findings from the evaluation report were:
· Last year Focus on Energy served customers at more than 113,400 residences and over 5,900 businesses.
· With the support of utilities and Trade Ally contractors, the program exceeded its annual energy savings targets. The 616.7 million kilowatt hours and 26 million therms saved in 2016 is the equivalent of powering nearly 49,000 homes for one year.
· An estimated 688,000 Wisconsin customers took advantage of lighting discounts at retail locations.
· Customers highly rated their interactions with Focus on Energy’s programs, Trade Ally contractors and staff. Overall, customer satisfaction was rated as a nine on a 10-point scale.

Tables, charts and maps displaying the achievements of Focus on Energy programs can be accessed at focusonenergy.com/about/evaluation-reports.

About Focus on Energy: Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities’ statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state’s investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.

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