MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission) announced today that it received 14 applications requesting $274,914.48 in funding for the most recent round of Wisconsin’s Refueling Readiness Gant Program. The program is designed to foster fueling infrastructure resilience and create Fueling Points of Distribution or Designated Disaster Fueling Facilities which will stay open in long-term power outages or declared emergencies. The Commission is expected to award up to $215,000 in December 2021. “These grants will not only provide peace-of-mind to residents but also offer support to our first responders and utility line trucks during an emergency,” said PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “It is important that we continue to invest in facilities that provide essential services during power outages.” Applicants had between September 22nd and November 3rd to apply for funding. Grants could be awarded to fund general electrical panels, labor of electricians, transfer switches, tap switches and other necessary accessories to maintain access to vehicle fuel during power outages. Since 2016, the Commission has awarded $195,000 for 22 grants. When reviewing applications the Commission will consider availability of fuel and staffing, timeline, budget and matching funds. The Refueling Readiness Grant Program is part of the PSC’s ongoing coordination of energy assurance planning and exercise activities with other key agencies such as Wisconsin Emergency Management; the Wisconsin National Guard; the Wisconsin Department of Transportation; the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, as well as Tribal and county emergency managers. Facilities eligible for funding include:
- Privately, municipally, and Tribally-owned convenience stores with both unleaded and diesel fuel availability;
- Municipally and Tribally-owned highway shops;
- Bulk Petroleum Storage Facilities: A privately owned facility used in the storage or marketing of petroleum products (including propane), which has a total bulk storage capacity of less than 50,000 barrels and receives product by rail, barge, or truck.
Click here for more information about the Wisconsin Refueling Readiness Grant Program.
