Unprecedented levels of federal funds are bringing transformative changes – and a lot of excitement – to communities across Wisconsin. That’s why we’ve been documenting some of the many success stories of the historic clean energy and energy efficiency funding from the federal government!
From homeowners who are working to fully electrify their homes to businesses that have found new ways to save on energy costs, there’s no shortage of success stories in every corner of the state.
Take a trip to Dane County and you’ll find the McFarland Community Ice Arena, which expects to save $29,000 a year on energy costs thanks to newly installed solar panels. Look to Manitowish Waters and you’ll find Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Company, which expects to cut their energy use by 72% after installing more energy-efficient electric irrigation pumps to grow more of Wisconsin’s treasured state fruit.
These investments have all been made possible by two pieces of legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden: the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Together, these laws aim to help the nation transition away from fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency and build new infrastructure that will pave the way for a greener future. Tax credits for homeowners looking to weatherize their homes, grants meant to cleanup decades-old pollution sites, and dozens of other financial incentives from the IRA and BIL are helping make Wisconsin a cleaner place to live.
Bruce Steinhagen, a longtime resident of the lakeside town of Algoma in Kewaunee County, is one of the Wisconsin residents who’s taking advantage of federal tax credits provided by the IRA. On the land he calls home, just outside of the city, you’ll find a newly installed ground-mounted solar array and geothermal heat pump, both of which are helping to cut his monthly energy bills while reducing their carbon footprint.
In April, Bruce showed me around his land, where crews were installing a 9-kW ground-mounted solar array. Thanks to the IRA, Burce will be able to get a tax credit worth 30% of the project’s total cost. During roughly seven months of the year, the solar array will generate enough power to cover Bruce’s energy costs.
“It’ll equal my electric bill, so I’ll pay nothing. During the other times of the year, it’ll do maybe as much as 50% of my electric bill,” Steinhagen said. “And I have maybe a higher electric bill than the average person because I have a geothermal heating system … so this made a lot of sense for me to try to minimize my electric bill.”
In addition to personal savings made possible by IRA tax credits and smaller energy bills, Steinhagen said he’s glad the IRA prioritizes products like solar panels that are made in the U.S. because they’ll help new industries develop, bringing new jobs and economic impact along with them.
Bruce’s home investments just barely scratch the surface of the types of financial benefits that are available to Wisconsinites of all backgrounds. Be sure to follow us on social media (@cleanwisconsin) to learn about other Wisconsinites who are taking advantage of this historic funding and visit cleanwisconsin.org/Funds4WI to learn how you can take advantage of savings for your home or business.
