News Release—City Receives Energy Innovation Grant (EIG) from PSC

The City of Middleton along with partners Elevate Energy and Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. (WHPC) have received an energy innovation grant from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in the amount of $442,800. The funding will benefit affordable housing tenants in a 6-unit townhome adjacent to Lakeview Park by coupling upgrades for electric heat pump systems with solar plus battery storage to offset utility bills. This project will also reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality for residents and promote resiliency in the event of a power outage. Elevate Energy, WHPC and the City provided an additional $87,000 in matching funds for the project. The following link (https://www.wisbusiness.com/2022/psc-awards-10-million-in-energy-innovation-grants-for-46-projects/) shows all grants funded.

Elevate and WHPC will be heading up this project, and the city will work with local community partners as well. Kelly Hilyard, Middleton Sustainability Coordinator, said, “I am excited that our project partners chose a location in Middleton to model this important decarbonization work. It will help everyone learn more about how to install electric heat pump technology, improve indoor air quality, and decrease energy bills for low-income residents who typically pay more by percentage of income than high-income residents. It will also provide backup power in the event of a power outage which adds a layer of resiliency and efficiency.”

This is one of several grants Hilyard has facilitated with the assistance of city partners since taking the position of Sustainability Coordinator in 2019, including a United States Green Building Council award for a LEED for Cities certification, a battery storage grant for the police department, and a microgrid feasibility study grant for the Middleton Business Park.

Coupled with Middleton’s commitment to renewable energy, the city is committed to equity initiatives for residents of lower income adversely affected by the pandemic. In 2022, the Common Council allocated $150,000 per year for the next 3 years from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a similar venture for Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) with Elevate and Sustain Dane to help residents secure energy-efficiency improvements that will reduce their energy bills. “Equity considerations must be at the center of decarbonization efforts in Middleton if we truly want a sustainable community for everyone,” added Hilyard. Projects such as these also will move the city closer to achieving the goal of obtaining 100% of our community energy needs from clean, renewable sources by the year 2050.

For more information, please contact Kelly Hilyard at khilyard@cityofmiddleton.us or 608-821-8362


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7426 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI 53562
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