Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund

Grants and Loans Process

Selection

Prescreening

Commerce staff prescreens the applications to ensure eligibility.

Phase 1 - Initial Scoring

A technical review panel, comprised of public and private energy experts, will score each application to determine the strongest projects that will proceed to the next phase of review. Applicants will be notified of their status after the initial scoring. Successful Phase 1 applicants will be required to submit additional information, including a business plan, for Phase 2 Commerce Evaluation (see application for more details).

Phase 2 - Commerce Evaluation

Commerce staff will evaluate the identified projects and prepare a preliminary funding recommendation to the Governor’s Energy Independence Award Council (GEIAC).

Phase 3 - GEIAC Review

The GEIAC will convene to evaluate the projects identified for review and to make a final funding recommendation on approved projects. The GEIAC consists of six state representatives (the Secretary or designee of Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, and Natural Resources; the Commissioner of PSC; the Director of the Office of Energy Independence; and a representative of Commerce’s Business & Development Division) and five public members selected by the Governor for their expertise and knowledge in clean energy science and technology development, one of which will be a representative from the Wisconsin Development Fund Board.

Final Project Approval

The Secretary of Commerce will review the GEIAC recommendations, approve final funding awards, and notify awardees.

Award amounts for successful applicants may be less than the amount of the applicant request. The final determination will be based on a competitive analysis of a variety of factors, including the type of new technology being developed, demand for available funds, demonstrated need, other leveraged funds, and whether the applicant has received prior Commerce funding.

Contracting

A contract will be developed by Commerce for each funded project. Upon agreement to the contract terms or provisions by the awardee and Commerce, the Commerce Secretary will consider the contract for final approval. No funding commitment is final until the contract is signed or executed.

Commerce staff will monitor and evaluate each funded project. Commerce reserves the right to audit the applicant’s books and records relating to the performance of the project during and up to three years after completion of the project.

Reporting Requirements

Interim reporting requirements will be based on: duration, nature and cost of project and approved work plan. The final project report shall include status of deliverables detailed in the contract. Commerce reserves the right to modify reporting requirements during the course of the project.

In addition to the final project report Commerce reserves the right to conduct a follow-up survey of funded projects in order to determine economic and other impacts of the project.