Wisconsin communities have reported saving over $17 million and cutting 40 million kilowatt hours of energy use through local renewable energy projects, but inconsistent reporting statewide makes it difficult to evaluate the full impact, according to a new analysis from Wisconsin Policy Forum.
The Department of Natural Resources’ Green Tier Legacy Communities (GTLC) program, which began in 2010 with five localities and now includes 42, relies on voluntary reporting. Only 13 of 34 active participants submitted data on energy or cost savings, limiting transparency and making it challenging to track taxpayer return on investment.
Reported successes include upgrades in LED lighting, solar power installations, building energy efficiency, and vehicle fleet improvements. However, water and wastewater treatment projects stand out as the most impactful, responsible for $14.4 million of the $17 million in cost savings and 31.7 million kilowatt hours of energy saved—enough to power 2,600 homes annually.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that water and wastewater plants can consume up to 40% of a municipality’s total energy usage, making them a key target for efficiency efforts.
Republican leaders, including Senate Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Howard Marklein, acknowledged growing demand for state clean water funding. In 2024, clean water loan requests spiked 154% over the 10-year average, and drinking water program requests surged 325%. The 2025–27 state budget includes over $700 million allocated for clean water projects.
Despite over $7.3 billion invested since 1991 in Wisconsin’s water infrastructure, the lack of uniform statewide reporting leaves gaps in measuring environmental and economic returns. The report stresses the importance of standardized data collection for accessing public support and legislative funding.
“Transparency is especially important for taxpayers,” the report says, noting that projects often require upfront investments despite long-term savings. Clearer communication of both cost and non-monetary benefits remains a key challenge for local governments.
