Innovative Energy Efficiency Programs for Rural Electric Cooperatives
In partnership with the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association and three rural electric cooperatives, the Center on Wisconsin Strategy is designing an energy efficiency program for rural Wisconsin residents to assess the efficiency of their home, business or farm and make needed upgrades. This efficiency service will be paid for on their electric bills each month. This program will overcome many of the traditional barriers to participation in energy efficiency upgrades. This partnership will result in verifiable energy and financial savings for cooperative members, reduced carbon emissions and increased work for auditors and contractors. We will develop best practices that can be replicated in cooperatives in Wisconsin and nationally.
Outcomes
A reduction in energy consumption by participating cooperative members; financial savings to cooperative members; increased safety and comfort in the participating structures; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and increased economic activity in the cooperative territories, based on the increase in auditing and construction and on the increase in disposable income for the participating members.
Focus Areas
- Economic Development
- Environment
- Quality of Life
Counties
- Barron
- Buffalo
- Burnett
- Dunn
- Eau Claire
- Iowa
- Jackson
- La Crosse
- Pepin
- Pierce
- Polk
- St. Croix
- Trempealeau
- Washburn
Website
Partners
Leader
Department or Other Unit
Sociology/Center on Wisconsin Strategy
School or College
College of Letters & Science
Project last updated on 3/16/2012