Representative Moore Omokunde: “Make Utilities Affordable Again”

MILWAUKEE–This week, State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) alongside Assembly and Senate Democrats, released the Forward on Climate bill package. These 18 bills build on recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, and work to create good, family-supporting jobs, reduce inequality, and fight climate change through Wisconsin-centered policy. Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde made the following statement about the rollout:

“I said it last week and I will say it again: Wisconsin is deep in an affordability crisis. Residential utility ratepayers are struggling to make ends meet every month, as we are forced to devote more and more of our income to costly utility bills. We cannot stand idly by as our neighbors fall behind on utility payments.

At the same time, we have reached a tipping point in the climate crisis, where the cost of inaction will be far greater than any proposal we are offering today. This rollout meets the moment on both fronts: helping our neighbors’ pocketbooks while simultaneously saving the planet. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to sign on to these bills to provide some much needed relief prior to the holidays and with a long winter ahead. Together, we can move Wisconsin Forward on Climate!

Here is a breakdown of the 3 bills that my office is leading on:

1. LRB-2608 would make green home upgrades, including solar panels, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, weatherization, and energy efficiency updates, more affordable and accessible to Wisconsin homeowners through an on-bill repayment option. On-bill financing streamlines the adoption of residential solar panels and other energy efficient home upgrades, utilizing the preexisting relationship between utilities and homeowners to make green energy affordable. Through this program, utility customers would be able to upgrade their homes and produce green energy with little to no upfront cost, while reducing emissions, building long-term savings, and supporting the green economy.

2. LRB-3300 requires Focus on Energy to include programs specifically designed to decrease the energy burden for and address the energy needs of low-income households, including energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. This bill would require the Public Service Commission (PSC) to ensure that at least 25 percent of the funds utilities contribute to Focus on Energy are spent on these programs for low-income households. The bill also requires utilities to coordinate these energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for low-income households with the weatherization assistance program administered by the Department of Administration. By requiring programs prioritizing low-income households, we can make sure that everyone has the opportunity to make their home or business more energy efficient, reduce consumer energy bills and energy waste, and reduce reliance on coal and natural gas from outside of Wisconsin.

3. LRB-3626 will direct the Public Service Commission (PSC) to require participating investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities to contribute 2.4 percent (currently 1.2 percent) of their annual operating revenue from retail sales to fund the Focus on Energy program. Focus on Energy is a popular program that helps people and businesses across the state install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, which in turn help create jobs, upgrade local infrastructure, and improve our environment. By expanding funding for Focus on Energy, the program will be able to better deliver bottom line energy savings opportunities for Wisconsinites and businesses all over the state.”

Representative Moore Omokunde represents the 17th Assembly District on the North and Northwest sides of Milwaukee.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.