Energy

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 1122: Relating to: prohibiting recovery of a rate of return on retired electric generating facilities; an exemption from certificate requirements for constructing a large electric generating facility; and a permit dashboard for applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity. (FE)

This bill makes three main changes to how electric power facilities are regulated and financed. First, it prevents electric utilities from charging customers higher rates to recover profits from power plants that have already been retired. Second, it requires anyone building a large new power facility to agree to pay for all costs of connecting it to the public power grid. Third, it mandates that the state commission create an online dashboard showing the status of permit applications for new power projects, including any other required approvals from federal, state, or local agencies. These rules directly affect electric utilities, power plant developers, and customers who pay electricity bills.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects consumers from rate hikes on retired plants and requires new facilities to pay for grid connections, preventing utility cost pass-throughs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 1203: Relating to: net zero emissions, carbon-free and renewable energy standards, and creating an office of sustainability and clean energy, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill establishes a comprehensive clean energy framework requiring Wisconsin to achieve 100 percent clean electricity production and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It creates a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy within the Department of Administration to develop and update an economy-wide decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling. The legislation sets specific interim targets for carbon-free electricity, including 50 percent by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. State agencies must consider purchasing renewable energy from providers with long-term contracts, though the requirements do not apply if generation is not technically feasible or cost-effective. The bill also provides funding for technology implementation and defines carbon-free resources to include hydroelectric power alongside other renewable sources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new office and mandates clean energy goals, requiring state budget allocation for implementation and sustainability programs75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes clean energy framework requiring 100% clean electricity by 2050, creates sustainability office, and sets interim renewable energy targets.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 100% clean electricity and net-zero emissions by 2050, creates sustainability office, and sets interim carbon-free targets, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Climate Change

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1150: Relating to: net zero emissions, carbon-free and renewable energy standards, and creating an office of sustainability and clean energy, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill establishes a state goal to achieve 100 percent clean electricity and net zero carbon emissions by 2050, creating a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy to oversee implementation. It sets specific milestones requiring the state to reach at least 50 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. The legislation also directs the state to develop a detailed decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling and provides funding for technology needed to meet these targets. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for renewable and carbon-free resources and includes provisions for agencies to consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness when meeting these energy standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes net zero emissions goals, creates clean energy office, and mandates renewable energy milestones through 205095% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes net zero emissions goal, mandates clean electricity targets, creates sustainability office, and promotes renewable energy standards95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1179: Relating to: a home repair program and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a home repair program that provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and landlords for fixing habitability issues, improving energy efficiency, and making housing accessible for individuals with disabilities. The program offers grants of up to $25,000 to homeowners and interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to landlords who own no more than 15 affordable housing units. Eligibility is limited to individuals or landlords with incomes at or below 100 percent of the area median income, and assistance is restricted to homes built between 10 and 40 years ago. The state authority will administer the program, potentially contracting with counties or nonprofit organizations to distribute funds while maintaining oversight through reporting and audit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a home repair program with appropriations for grants and loans, directly funding public services and housing assistance.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides financial assistance for improving energy efficiency in housing, directly supporting energy conservation and efficiency goals.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes home repair program with grants and loans for affordable housing improvements, directly funding housing assistance and protecting housing quality for low-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 943: Relating to: the purpose statement for the statutory grant of local zoning authority.

SB 943 amends state zoning law to update the purpose statement guiding local zoning regulations. It adds specific priorities including ensuring access to sunlight for solar energy systems, protecting groundwater resources, promoting diverse housing types, and designing "complete streets" that safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. The bill directly affects local governments (cities and counties) as they develop zoning codes and land-use plans. These changes require zoning decisions to explicitly consider these new community goals while maintaining existing standards like safety, congestion reduction, and preservation of burial sites. The bill has been introduced but not yet voted on in the legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExplicitly adds 'ensuring access to sunlight for solar energy systems' to zoning priorities, directly enabling renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds explicit environmental priorities: solar access protection and groundwater resource conservation to zoning law, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly promotes 'diverse housing types' in zoning priorities, advancing housing development and affordability through local land-use planning.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly requires 'complete streets' design accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation Land Use Zoning Pedestrian Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1061: Relating to: moratorium on data centers.

SB 1061 imposes a moratorium on new data center operations in the state until specific requirements are met. It directly affects data center operators and developers by requiring: a statewide planning authority, prohibitions on shifting energy/water costs to residential customers, mandatory public reporting of water/electricity usage, and 100% renewable energy sourcing from newly built, directly accessible projects. The bill also mandates prevailing wages for construction workers, local referendum approval for new sites, and environmental safeguards for air, water, and noise. These provisions must be enacted by law before any new data center can operate.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 100% renewable energy sourcing for new data centers, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and prohibiting cost-shifting to residential customers.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 100% renewable energy sourcing for new data centers, directly advancing clean energy adoption and reducing environmental impact.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMoratorium on new data centers restricts infrastructure expansion, requiring compliance before operations, directly limiting tech infrastructure growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 2, 2026

AB 911: Relating to: funding for a battery collection and recycling program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 911 creates a new funding mechanism to support a battery collection and recycling program by directing existing environmental fund monies (from statute 287.175 (3) (b)) toward this purpose. The bill specifically allocates funds already designated for battery recycling under current law, without creating new taxes or fees. It only takes effect if two other related bills (AB 713 or SB 702) are not enacted during the 2025-26 legislative session. This funding directly supports the operational costs of the state’s battery recycling program, primarily affecting program administrators and participating recyclers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds battery recycling program, supporting clean energy infrastructure lifecycle and sustainable energy storage systems.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates existing environmental funds to battery recycling program, directly supporting pollution control and resource conservation per statute 287.175(3)(b).92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Recycling

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 858: Relating to: Public Service Commission consideration of the social cost of carbon emissions and the recovery of costs relating to fossil fuel energy production infrastructure and transitioning to renewable resource energy production. (FE)

AB 858 requires Wisconsin's Public Service Commission to consider a minimum "social cost of carbon" of $185 per metric ton of CO2 emissions when reviewing energy certificates. It mandates that costs for expanding fossil fuel infrastructure can only be recovered from customers who directly benefit from that infrastructure, and prohibits passing transition costs to renewable energy onto ratepayers. The bill directly affects utilities seeking infrastructure investments and residential/commercial electricity customers paying rates. Key provisions ensure fossil fuel expansion costs are tied to specific beneficiaries while shielding customers from transition expenses during the shift to renewables.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires social cost of carbon consideration, limits fossil fuel infrastructure costs to direct beneficiaries, and prohibits shifting renewable transition costs to ratepayers, advancing renewable energy adoption.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates $185 social cost of carbon, restricts fossil fuel infrastructure cost recovery, prohibits passing renewable transition costs to ratepayers90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation Climate Change

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 889: Relating to: creating the Wisconsin Climate Corps program, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 889 establishes the Wisconsin Climate Corps program to create climate-focused job opportunities for workers aged 16-30, with at least 50% from underserved communities. The program funds projects like restoring natural lands, weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, and building community gardens, administered by a board overseeing contracts with nonprofit managers. Key requirements include paying workers $15/hour, providing housing stipends ($100/week), and gold-level health insurance. Sponsors (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) must submit annual reports, and completed projects require permanent plaques identifying them as Wisconsin Climate Corps initiatives. The bill appropriates state funds for grants to approved projects under this framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund the Wisconsin Climate Corps program with specific wage/benefit requirements, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate jobs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, directly advancing energy efficiency policy as a key energy infrastructure measure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates climate-focused jobs including natural land restoration, energy-efficient weatherization, and community gardens - directly advancing environmental conservation and pollution reduction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates gold-level health insurance for Climate Corps workers, directly expanding coverage under the program's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides housing stipends ($100/week) and funds home weatherization, indirectly supporting housing affordability and worker housing needs.65% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $15/hr wage, housing stipends, and gold-level health insurance for climate corps workers, directly advancing employment standards and worker benefits through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Insurance

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 830: Relating to: required inclusions in the long-range statewide transportation plan. (FE)

AB 830 requires the state transportation department to include specific goals in its long-range transportation plan, directly affecting how the department develops statewide infrastructure strategies. The bill mandates inclusion of a vision for low-carbon public transit, transportation electrification, cost-effective charging infrastructure, equitable clean transportation incentives, and solutions for underserved rural, low-income, and minority communities. The department must also submit a report within six months detailing progress on these requirements and future plans for implementation. This legislation sets concrete policy standards for sustainable and equitable transportation planning without specifying funding or enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates low-carbon transit, transportation electrification, and clean infrastructure in state transportation planning, advancing renewable energy integration and equitable clean transportation solutions.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates low-carbon transit, transportation electrification, and clean incentives, directly advancing climate goals and environmental protection in transportation planning.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transportation electrification and charging infrastructure, advancing clean tech adoption in public transit planning.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates inclusion of low-carbon public transit, electrification, and equitable clean transportation goals in statewide plan, advancing sustainable infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Public Transit Transportation Funding

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