Can energy efficiency and renewable energy programs actually serve to support economic development? If so, how can it help broaden the types of industries and occupations created in the state? To address these issues, the Wisconsin Dept. of Administration, Energy Bureau engaged PA Consulting Group and Economic Development Research Group (EDR Group) to evaluate how their "Focus on Energy" was helping to improve the health of the state's economy.

Wisconsin's Statewide "Focus on Energy" program is a public-private partnership offering energy efficiency information and services to energy utility customers throughout the state. The statewide program was initiated by the state legislature with goals to reduce the need for fossil fuels, improve the health of the state's economy and reduce negative environmental impacts. Over a period of three years, EDR Group measured the program's impacts on various sectors of the Wisconsin economy and its impacts on job creation, income levels, occupations and economic competitiveness. The outcome is a series of reports covering both economic impacts and economic development policy implications.

Reports that are now publically available include:

Report - FY07 Economic Benefits Report
By Lisa Petraglia and Glen Weisbrod, Economic Development Research Group and PA Government Services for the Wisconsin Dept. of Administration- Division of Energy, 2007 (pdf 2.6MB)

Report - Economic Development Benefits of the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program. Lisa Petraglia and Glen Weisbrod, Economic Development Research Group and PA Government Services for the Wisconsin Dept. of Administration- Division of Energy, 2007. pdf file (834kb)

Report - Focus on Energy Public Benefits Evaluation: Economic Policy Analysis Final Report (year 2 statewide program). Economic Development Research Group and PA Government Services for the Wisconsin Dept. of Administration- Division of Energy, 2004. pdf file (959kb)

Report - Focus on Energy Statewide Evaluation: Economic Development Benefits: Interim Economic Impacts (year 1 statewide program). Sherman, M., L. Petraglia. and G. Weisbrod, Economic Development Research Group for the Wisconsin Dept. of Administration- Division of Energy. 2003. pdf file (310k)

Report - Low Income Public Benefits Evaluation - Economic Development Benefits, by Sherman, M., L. Petraglia. and G. Weisbrod, Economic Development Research Group for the Wisconsin Dept. of Administration- Division of Energy. 2003. pdf file (310k)

An Approach to Quantifying Economic and Environmental Benefits for Wisconsin's Focus on Energy. Sumi, D., G. Weisbrod, B. Ward, and M. Goldberg. Paper presented at the International Energy Program Evaluation Conference, August 2003. pdf file (55k)

Program Web Site http://www.focusonenergy.com/

Complete Focus on Energy Program Evaluation Research Reports