NEW
Wisconsin ARRA State Energy Program(SEP) Funding Approved
Governor Doyle announced that the first installment of SEP funding allocated to the State of Wisconsin as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been approved by the Department of Energy. While the Office of Energy Independence submitted the State application for these funds, the Department of Commerce will administer the program. This funding targets projects in renewable energy and energy efficient manufacturing technologies and business retooling. There is a specific focus on projects that will create or retain jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fossil fuel use, and/or deploy renewable energy. Applications and program information is available on the Department of Commerce website.
Energy-Related Recovery (ARRA) UPDATES
Governor Jim Doyle has actively and continuously demonstrated an interest in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and its effect on the State of Wisconsin. The State Office of Recovery and Reinvestment has been serving as a clearinghouse and resource for local residents, communities, businesses, and projects that are seeking funding in many areas. For a breakdown of current energy related ARRA funds, please visit the Office of Energy Independence (OEI) ARRA Energy-Related updates. Additionally, OEI has been applying for qualified ARRA funding as it becomes available, (e.g. EECBG and SEP - additional details on these programs can be found on the chart on our update page).
2008 Wisconsin Energy Statistics
In 2007, Wisconsin spent almost $21.5 billion on energy - a new record and an increase of 9.9% over 2006. At the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, we craft policy and work with private business as we travel toward the Governor's goal of 25x25 - the vision we share is of energy that saves money, cleans our air and water, builds jobs and gives us energy independence. The Wisconsin Energy Statistics book documents our progress. 
Wisconsin Bioindustry utilizes traditional and emerging technology to turn organic matter into biofuels, biopower and bioproducts. Wisconsin has a history of creating value-added economic opportunities for agriculture, manufacturing and forestry. Today, Wisconsin is moving to sustainable economic strategies through a steady incremental shift to renewable energy and fuel sources – sometimes called the bioeconomy – utilizing our biomass resources from our working lands in agriculture and forestry. The next stage, like the industrial revolution a century ago, is a similar shift using our biomass plants and renewable resources for products now made from petrochemicals.
Biomass is a source of renewable energy and products for which Wisconsin is a natural leader; we have abundant biomass resources, including crops and waste from paper mills, cheese plants and livestock facilities. The POWER Initiative also taps other renewable resources the state possesses in abundance - good, old-fashioned Wisconsin hard work and ingenuity.
