Investigation into Improving Access to the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resource Programs

The PSC has begun an investigation regarding moving from from the Focus on Energy budget to broadband for rural areas.

THIS IS AN INVESTIGATION into improving access to the statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource programs in rural areas of the state that are underserved by broadband service providers, to consider the development of programs designed to improve energy efficiency and facilitate access to and participation in markets for energy efficiency products, to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency, and to promote rural economic development in these areas, through greater deployment of broadband.  The Commission opens this docket by its authority under Wis. Stat. ch. 196.  The Commission intends to conduct this investigation without a hearing. 
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Ken Notes: Attention state media you need to report on this and understand that this is politics at it`s worst. Commitments have been made to rural broadband and the industries developing this service will profit immensely, they will and do make substantial political contributions. The PSC is now supporting this by suggesting a shifting federal funds away from the Focus on Energy programs that improves energy efficient construction, makes energy efficient products such as florescent and now LED lighting more affordable and educates the public on the value of cost effective efficiency. They are loosely basing this on the "promote rural economic development" directive.

Broadband and internet access are two entirely different things. Rural areas have access to the internet although it is somewhat slower. Websites, email, and even video works fine. Broadband is the highway for moving much larger amounts of traffic, what the PSC is suggesting is that we need interstate 6 lane highways to our most rural communities. This is not service motivated it is profit motivated and the PSC is doing this for political reasons and it is not supposed to do this. The PSC will site the fact that this is federal money and will not effect taxpayers, and will create jobs.

Recent reports have placed Wisconsin in the more expensive category regarding energy cost regionally and not the PSC wants to rob Peter to Pay Paul even though many corporations are looking for energy efficiency and support for their efforts. The jobs, unless you are a lobbyist or install fiber optics, are clearly on the side of better ENERGY policy here.

NO HEARINGS will be held on this issue but you can register to intervene, the details are in the document at the link.

Please report on and look at this by examining the benefits and and costs associated with both options. Dig a little deeper as to why PSC has adopted this stance. Quote me call me a liar if that is what you find but please do not ignore this issue. PS share this via Facebook and LinkedIn. Talk about this and ask your representatives on either side of the isle to stand up business, jobs, and policy for the people not the politicians....