MADISON – Today, Public Service Commission Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq issued the following statement regarding Governor Tony Evers’ 2023-2025 Biennial State Budget.
“Governor Evers’ budget reflects Wisconsinites’ shared vision for our state, one in which we are better connected and have equitable access to safe, reliable, and affordable utility services.
“I want to thank and commend Governor Evers for his continued commitment to closing the digital divide in Wisconsin. He understands that, even with federal funding coming to Wisconsin for broadband, to get everyone connected will require continued state investment. State dollars will give the PSC the ability to target investments to the most difficult areas to deploy broadband and fill in the gaps where federal funding may fall short. Past budgets have benefitted from bipartisan support for broadband investment, and I look forward to working with both sides of the aisle to realize our shared goal of connecting all.
“We are at a pivotal time in our state’s transition to zero-carbon electricity. Energy efficiency demonstrates time and again that it can delay or eliminate the need to build additional generation and transmission facilities. Now is the time to invest in energy efficiency and the state’s Focus on Energy Program. Focus on Energy’s sound fiscal management results in a return of over four dollars of benefit for every dollar invested. Focus on Energy has achieved energy savings equivalent to two large-scale natural gas power plants. Benefits are seen directly by program participants – both residential and industrial – and shared by all Wisconsinites in the form of lower energy costs and avoided construction costs.”
