Wisconsin Senate Bill SB870

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/26
• Refer: 1/23/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 196.374 (3) (b) 1.; to create 196.374 (1) (gm), 196.374 (2) (a) 2. f. and 196.374 (3) (f) 5. of the statutes; 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)

Summary

SB 870 would change Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program to require a specific emphasis on low-income households. It creates a statutory definition of “low-income household” and directs the Public Service Commission to ensure that Focus on Energy includes programs and initiatives that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for those households, while also addressing their energy needs and reducing their energy burden. The bill also requires coordination with the Department of Administration’s weatherization assistance program. The bill further requires the PSC to set minimum requirements and eligibility rules for these low-income household programs through rulemaking. In addition, it amends the existing program-priority language so that low-income energy efficiency and renewable energy measures are expressly among the priorities the commission must consider when evaluating and setting goals for statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs. The bill specifies that at least 25 percent of the money utilities are required to spend on Focus on Energy must be spent annually on these low-income household programs.

Impact

SB 870 would amend Wisconsin Statutes section 196.374, which governs utility-funded energy efficiency and renewable resource programs under Focus on Energy. It would add a new statutory category for low-income households, require coordinated programming with state weatherization efforts, and direct the PSC to adopt rules establishing minimum program requirements and eligibility standards. The bill would also impose a funding floor by requiring that not less than 25 percent of utility spending on Focus on Energy be dedicated annually to low-income household programs, thereby shifting program administration and funding priorities toward energy affordability and access for lower-income residents.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been generally favorable in concept, as reflected by its introduction with multiple bipartisan cosponsors and its policy focus on energy affordability, efficiency, and renewable access for low-income households. The available record does not include committee testimony or recorded votes, so there is no detailed public debate in the provided materials. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating that it did not advance to enactment despite its supportive framing.

Contention

The main policy issue likely to generate debate is the mandated 25 percent spending requirement, which could be viewed as a significant earmark of Focus on Energy funds and a constraint on PSC and utility discretion. Another possible point of contention is the bill’s rulemaking mandate, which gives the PSC authority to define minimum requirements and eligibility criteria for low-income programs. Supporters would likely emphasize reduced energy burden, weatherization coordination, and targeted benefits for vulnerable households, while critics might question the funding set-aside, administrative complexity, or whether the mandate could divert resources from other energy efficiency priorities.