AB 106 exempts electricity delivered to Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed at residences from the existing EV charging tax. This directly affects homeowners who own or operate Level 3 chargers at their primary residence. The bill removes the tax on electricity used for charging EVs at these residential stations, effective retroactively from January 1, 2025. The exemption applies specifically to Level 3 chargers at homes, not to commercial or public charging locations.
SB 296 updates Wisconsin's state building program rules. It requires state agencies to list projects in the official building program (with a $2 million minimum cost threshold), mandates quarterly budget reports for cost overruns, and sets a 6-month deadline for resolving contractor claims involving state buildings. The bill also allows waivers for projects over $200 million, changes how architects/engineers are selected for larger projects, and encourages partnerships with energy service companies to improve facility efficiency. These changes directly affect state agencies, construction contractors, and energy providers managing public building projects.
SB 3 requires local governments to approve certain wind and solar energy projects before the Public Service Commission can review them. This directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build projects and local municipalities responsible for granting permits. The bill creates a new step where community-level approval must be secured prior to state-level review by the Public Service Commission. This changes the current process by adding a mandatory local consent requirement before state agencies can act on these projects.
AB 145 requires the state legislature to create and pass a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The bill mandates that any legislative plan developed must prioritize improving both economic and racial equity alongside emission reductions. It directly affects the legislature, which must finalize this plan during the 2025-26 session. The key provision is establishing legally binding emission reduction targets with an explicit requirement to address equity impacts in the implementation strategy.
AB 222 establishes a $1.50 per gallon tax credit for producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the state. The credit applies to SAF meeting a 90% renewable source requirement (from synthetic, renewable, and nonpetroleum sources like energy crops grown in the U.S.) and is available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027. Producers can claim the credit against state tax liability, but partnerships and similar entities cannot claim it directly - they must distribute credit eligibility to owners based on ownership shares. The bill also clarifies administrative rules and integrates the credit into existing tax code sections for consistency.
AB 132 creates a "nuclear power summit board" to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit in Madison, requiring the event to occur within one month after a specific university academic term begins. The board includes appointed legislators (two senators, two assembly members), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO, a governor-appointed member, and nonvoting industry/faculty representatives. It is funded through a dedicated appropriation from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, with the summit allowing free attendance for Wisconsin residents and varying registration fees for others. The board must disband 180 days after the summit concludes, returning remaining assets to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's nuclear engineering program.
AB 108 requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a study identifying potential sites for nuclear power and fusion energy facilities, including advanced reactors, by a specific deadline. It also mandates that the Commission must make a final decision on applications for large nuclear facilities within 150 days of the application being deemed complete, or automatically approve the project. This directly affects applicants seeking permits for advanced nuclear power plants and the Commission's approval process. The bill aims to streamline approvals for new nuclear energy projects while establishing a formal study to identify suitable locations.
AB 7 requires local governments (cities, villages, or towns) to approve large-scale wind and solar projects (15 megawatts or more) before the Public Service Commission can approve them. Developers must seek municipal approval, which must be granted or denied within 90 days (with possible 90-day extensions for specific reasons). If a municipality fails to act within the deadline, the project is automatically approved. This bill directly affects renewable energy developers and local governments, shifting approval authority to municipalities for qualifying projects.
AB 472 creates a tax credit for nuclear energy generation in Wisconsin, directly affecting electric utilities operating nuclear facilities. The bill establishes a credit of $10,000 per megawatt for the first 10 years (decreasing annually to $1,000 by year 19), payable against state taxes for facilities operating in-state and generating electricity. Utilities may transfer or sell these credits to other taxpayers subject to state taxes. The legislation also reclassifies nuclear energy as a "renewable resource" for reporting purposes starting in 2026 and allows utilities to recover certain pre-certification costs through customer rates.
AB 618 creates tax credits for nuclear energy facilities in Wisconsin, directly affecting electric utilities, cooperatives, municipal companies, and qualified wholesale providers. It provides a credit against income/franchise tax for wages paid to full-time nuclear facility workers (defined as 2,080 hours/year at 150% federal minimum wage) and capital expenditures for facility construction, maintenance, or operation (excluding land purchases). The credit can be transferred to other taxpayers subject to certain taxes, though partnerships and LLCs must pass the credit amount to owners rather than claiming it directly. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027.
