Xcel Energy Proposes New Community Solar Program
Xcel Energy customers in western and northern Wisconsin might be able to subscribe for a share of electricity generated by local solar installations as early as 2016. Xcel Energy Inc. submitted a proposal to the PSC to buy up to 3 megawatts of electricity from community solar projects built in their territory. If approved, Xcel will contract for solar project developers to construct and operate the systems. Called Solar*Connect Community, customers would receive a credit on their monthly utility bills for their share of solar electricity purchased. For more information, see Xcel and JS

Wisconsin Approves Merger for Mega Natural Gas Utility  
One of the largest natural gas utilities could be created in a $9.1 billion merger deal after two of four state regulatory approvals were granted.  Michigan’s and Wisconsin’s Public Service Commissions approved Wisconsin Energy Corp’s (We energies’ parent company), acquisition of Integrys Energy Group based in Chicago. Illinois and Minnesota would need to approve the merger as well. The merged companies named WEC Energy Group would serve half of all Wisconsin utility customers although We energies and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation would remain separate. It would expand Wisconsin natural gas utility to the greater Chicago area and parts of Minnesota and Michigan.  No savings to rate payers are anticipated as a result of this merger and the location of the corporate headquarters, now in Milwaukee, has not been determined. See JS

UW Seeks Large Businesses Using Propane or Heating Oil for Energy Feasibility Study
The Statewide Wood Energy Team (SWET) and the US Forest Service are offering no-cost feasibility studies to businesses and schools that could possibly benefit from switching to energy efficient, locally sourced wood energy. Business types include nursing homes, schools, large buildings, food processing, poultry, swine and greenhouses. There is no obligation to do anything further than a feasibility study. For information and case studies on wood energy, see the wisconsinwoodenergy website.  Please contact Scott Sanford, with the Rural Energy Program,UW-Madison at sasanford@wisc.edu to be considered.

WERCBench Labs Seeks Builders, Makers, Entrepreneurs
Mid-West Energy Research Consortium (M-WERC) will offer a unique opportunity for start-ups in Wisconsin’s energy, power and control sector to interact directly with highly experienced and technical mentors. And, they will have unparalleled access to high performance computing, rapid prototyping and small-scale production equipment.  The goal is to attract inventors to come to Milwaukee to jump-start innovative technologies, transition prototype products to the commercial stage and nurture startup companies. Applications are due by May 29 for teams of engineers, scientists, and programmers across all funding stages. The program runs June 8 to August 27 at the M-WERC Energy Innovation Center, Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the program with a $350,000 matching grant through its Seed Accelerator Program. For more information and to apply.

Grow Solar Offers Technical Assistance to Municipalities
Grow Solar, a Midwest partnership to move solar markets in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, is funded through a USDOE SunShot grant. Wisconsin municipalities interested in creating opportunities for a strong solar market locally, now have an opportunity to receive free solar technical assistance with permitting, planning, zoning, and finance through Grow Solar. The Midwest Renewable Energy Association leads this initiative. To learn more, go to growsolar.org or contact Peter Murphy at peterm@midwestrenew.org to request assistance.

Former FERC Chair to Keynote at Wisconsin’s Energy Fair
Jon Wellinghoff, former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, will be the keynote speaker at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Energy Fair in Custer, WI on Friday, June 19^th, 1 pm.  To get a sense of the pivotal, broad- reaching utility and renewable energy issues Wellinghoff addresses, read a recent article he co-authored in UtilityDive. It addresses utility and renewables issues in discussion in Wisconsin in light of the recent utility rate cases brought to the Public Service Commission - whether regulated utilities should be allowed to rate base solar and the utility model going forward.

Eau Claire Transit Increases Hybrid Bus Total
The City of Eau Claire will add two more hybrid buses to their fleet, for a total of five. Though the electric-diesel buses cost more than a standard bus, the two new hybrid buses will save the city more than $11,000 a year and about 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Hybrid buses are quieter and put out fewer air emissions. The two new buses will be added to the city’s routes next year. For more information

Energy Center of Wisconsin becomes Seventhwave
The Energy Center of Wisconsin changed their name to Seventhwave to better illustrate the dynamic nature of their work nationwide. There's an old story about the seventh wave in a set being the biggest--bolder and more powerful. "We believe that this name demonstrates our commitment to greater impact and path-breaking work in advanced energy efficiency, climate resilience, and utility business models,” said Marge Anderson, executive vice president. 

Energy Efficiency Improvement Act Signed into Law
The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, a small energy efficiency bill with significant bipartisan support was signed into law by President Obama (Public Law No: 114-11) April 30, 2015. The law (1) requires a feasibility study on significantly improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings through design and construction and establishes a voluntary "Tenant Star" program within the Energy Star program to promote energy efficiency in rental property; (2) adjusts efficiency standards for "grid-connected" water heaters, so that water heaters needed for demand response and thermal storage programs can continue to be sold; and (3) promotes commercial building energy-use benchmarking and disclosure. There are multiple additional federal energy bills under consideration currently.