Chances good for bill on energy efficiency and renewables
A story by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports on the prospects for passage of SB 459, the bill to codify the recommendations of the bipartisan Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables:
A “hidden tax increase” being paid by electrical utility customers in Wisconsin would end under a bill that a state Senate committee is expected to vote on this week.
Over the last four years, budget transfers have shifted more than $100 million in charges paid on Wisconsin utility customers’ electricity bills to help balance the state budget.
Under a bill that will be the subject of a public hearing today, such transfers would no longer be possible, said state Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay).
“That’s our hope, that if it passes this way that it could not be touched by hands that shouldn’t have their hands on it,” he said.
The bill has the endorsement of a wide range of groups, from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce to environmental organizations such as the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group.
Both of those groups had criticized an earlier version of the bill because it still left the door open to budgetary transfers by the governor and Legislature.
In the past two budgets, including the one passed in July, more than $108 million allocated for energy efficiency has instead been used to help shore up the state budget.
During a time of rising energy costs, supporters of energy efficiency programs say conservation is arguably the most cost-effective way to help cut energy costs, by reducing demand for electricity and natural gas.
Under the bill, 1.2% of all electricity revenue collected by utilities would be for energy efficiency programs. That would translate to about $85 million a year, based on current electricity rates.
The money could not be diverted because it will be collected by the utilities and not passed along to the state Department of Administration.
“WMC has argued for a long time that these continued raids to the public benefits fund are nothing more than a hidden tax increase for Wisconsin ratepayers and must be stopped,” said R.J. Pirlot, lobbyist with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s largest business lobby.
Some lawmakers are concerned that the bill could raise electricity rates. Keith Reopelle, program director for Clean Wisconsin, said any increased funding for energy efficiency would be balanced by the result of saving energy: lower natural gas prices.
Jennifer Giegerich, state director of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, said she had hoped the bill would go further in boosting non-polluting energy sources but said she was planning to testify in favor of the bill.
Cowles said a vote on the bill could come as early as today or Wednesday. A final version of the bill was still being prepared late Monday.
