Investments in energy-saving measures through Focus on Energy programs generate instant, long-term benefits that accrue over time with continued use.
The report from Cadmus also reveals Focus on Energy created almost 21,000 jobs from 2015 – 2018, with each year expected to generate 5,250 jobs or more through 2042. The health care, retail trade and manufacturing industries will experience the greatest job growth resulting from the program’s statewide initiatives. Most of these jobs are created by growing demand of efficient equipment, which supports suppliers and circulates money in the local economy, leading to increased market need for local services.
Other highlights of the 2015 – 2018 analysis include:
“These results show that the Focus on Energy Program continues to deliver results, both economic and environmental, for Wisconsinites,” said Focus on Energy Program Director Erinn Monroe-Nye. “For almost two decades, Focus on Energy has partnered with Wisconsin utilities to support customers in reducing energy use and supporting clean energy jobs along the entire product supply chain.”
A separate independent evaluation of Focus on Energy’s 2019 work, also prepared by Cadmus, shows satisfaction with Focus on Energy among those who have participated in the Program soared to 9.3 on a 10-point scale, up from a 9.1 in 2018. It also demonstrates that satisfaction with all Focus on Energy residential and non-residential offerings either stayed the same or increased in 2019.
In addition to being extremely popular with customers, Cadmus used a method introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the fall of 2019 to calculate the electricity, gas and emissions benefits of Focus on Energy for the state of Wisconsin and, for the first time, put a dollar amount on the health benefits of the Program. Calculations found Focus on Energy generated $87,807,752 in health benefits for Wisconsin in 2019, accumulated by reduced emissions attributable to Focus on Energy activity.
The 2019 report also shows that Focus on Energy programs continue to prove worthwhile investments. Every $1 invested in Focus on Energy programs creates $4.80 in benefits, including economic benefits to the state, reduced energy costs and reduced pollution.
“Focus on Energy provides tremendous value to our state. These benefits are now as important as ever – Focus grows Wisconsin’s economy while saving customers money on their energy bills, and saving costs statewide by reducing power needs,” said Commissioner Tyler Huebner at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. “What’s more, Focus reduces air pollution, provides Wisconsinites with millions of dollars of health benefits, and is now more customer-friendly than ever. I’m proud to be a part of it and excited about the future as we work to make Focus better than ever.”
