Madison, Wis. – Ahead of Earth Day, FOCUS ON ENERGY® is recognizing businesses and other groups throughout Wisconsin for their statewide impacts and dedicated efforts in energy efficiency with its annual Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards.

"I am proud to recognize each of these recipients for their commitment to drive down Wisconsin’s carbon emissions and increase our annual energy savings," said PSC Chairperson, Rebecca Cameron Valcq.

The Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards recognize business participants of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable resources program, who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to reducing energy waste by implementing energy-saving upgrades in their facilities and operations.

This year, in partnership with utility providers across the state, Focus on Energy is honoring 12 winners for their work in energy efficiency. The awardees encompass a wide range of business types, including educational and medical facilities, manufacturers, farms, and partnering Focus on Energy Trade Ally contractors.

The 2021 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award winners include:

• Beloit College (Beloit)
• ATI Forged Products (Cudahy)
• Ozaukee County (Port Washington)
• Quad (Sussex, Hartford, West Allis)
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center (Green Bay)
• Neenah, Inc – Whiting Facility (Stevens Point)
• Mellenthin Farms (Eau Galle)
• Mule-Hide Manufacturing (Cornell)
• On Site Performance Testing (Chippewa Falls)
• Sheboygan County – Rocky Knoll Health Care Center (Plymouth)
• Northland Pines School District (Eagle River)
• Anderson Electric Services, Inc. (Spencer)

Focus on Energy provides Wisconsin homeowners, businesses, and other groups with energy expertise and financial incentives to support investments in energy-efficient equipment and practices.

"The Focus on Energy Program offers an incredible value to our state," said Chairperson Valcq. "The Program provides $4.80 in energy, environmental and economic benefits for every $1.00 invested, making it the most cost-effective program in the nation. That’s why Governor Tony Evers and I are urging the state legislature to increase the amount of utility contribution to the Focus on Energy program, bringing in an additional $100 million."

By making energy-saving improvements, the 2021 award winners not only see reduced energy consumption and cost savings – they also support the state of Wisconsin through technology innovation, job creation, lowered environmental impacts, increased competitiveness and reduced dependence on nonrenewable resources.

The two most recent third-party evaluations of Focus on Energy found:

• Focus on Energy paid out nearly $250 million in incentives to Wisconsin residents and businesses who participated in one or more of its programs from 2015 - 2018.
• Participant satisfaction with the Program increased to 9.3 out of 10 in 2019.
• Program emissions reductions of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments add up to roughly $212 million in economic benefits from 2015 - 2018.
• Focus on Energy generated $87,807,752 in health benefits for Wisconsin in 2019.

Focus on Energy partners with 107 utilities across the state to offer Wisconsin residents and businesses energy expertise and financial incentives to reduce energy waste.

A federal study completed in 2018 revealed Wisconsin runs the most cost-effective energy efficiency programs in the nation, in terms of energy savings per dollar spent. A separate evaluation released in 2020 found every $1 invested in Focus on Energy generates $4.80 in benefits for Wisconsin, including economic benefits, reduced energy costs and reduced pollution.