Madison, Wis. – FOCUS ON ENERGY® has awarded the contract to run its two-year pilot program to increase engagement in rural Wisconsin.
The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) will lead the pilot effort aimed at encouraging behavior-based energy changes in rural households and increasing participation in Focus on Energy programs by tapping into community motivators, incentives and new platforms.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with CEE to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to every corner of Wisconsin,” said Focus on Energy Director Erinn Monroe-Nye. “CEE’s rich history of work with rural communities gives us confidence this pilot will break new ground and open opportunities for Wisconsinites.”
The pilot’s digital platform will help test approaches for residents and businesses to save energy and become more aware of energy usage, while gathering valuable information to help Focus on Energy develop future behavioral programs. Community members will choose local charitable causes that earn points as residents save energy, and the cause achieving the highest point total will receive a financial reward.
“We are excited to experiment with reaching and serving rural communities through a combination of digital engagement and leveraging existing community motivators,” said Katie Jones, CEE’s community program manager. “Our team will help residents lower their energy bills through easy savings opportunities, laying a foundation for Focus on Energy to carry successes forward into their next generation of programs.”
To plan and implement this rural pilot, CEE will partner with software developers at Accelerated Innovations to build the digital engagement platform for behavior change. Additionally, utility consultant E Source will provide customer segmentation and market research expertise to support the effort.
This project builds on CEE’s decades of regional work in the upper Midwest, often serving rural communities.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin greenlit the pilot on March 19. It is scheduled to launch this summer and initially focus on two communities yet to be determined.
About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program funded by the state's investor-owned energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus on Energy information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control Wisconsin's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.
About CEE
Center for Energy and Environment is a clean energy nonprofit with special expertise in energy efficiency stretching back nearly 40 years. Working in homes, businesses, and communities, CEE discovers and deploys the most effective energy solutions to strengthen the economy and improve the environment. Learn more at mncee.org.
