Sec. Granholm and Gov. Evers Launch Nation’s First Home Efficiency Rebate Program in Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI — On Friday, US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited Milwaukee to roll out the country’s first Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) Program, a $74.8 million program that will lower utility costs for homeowners, especially lower-income homeowners. Thanks to the HOMES program, Wisconsin families can now save between $1,500 to $10,000 on energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps. 

The Secretary’s visit included a tour of a home that received energy efficiency upgrades, a town hall on consumer benefits, and a stakeholder roundtable. 

During the home tour, Secretary Granholm joined a local Milwaukee couple, Jim Coons and Eileen Zieger from Washington Heights, to showcase recent energy-saving improvements made to their home. The upgrades, completed by Green Homeowners United, included basement insulation and air sealing, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $500. 

At the town hall event, Secretary Granholm officially announced the launch of the HOMES program alongside Governor Tony Evers, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, and White House Senior Advisor John Podesta. The town hall detailed how Wisconsin residents can benefit from the HOMES rebate program. 

“The Biden-Harris administration is helping families save energy and save money, and we’re not slowing down,” said US. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Wisconsin is leading the pack of states building up their local workforce and keeping money in the pockets of their residents, all thanks to the Investing in America agenda.” 

The visit concluded with a stakeholder roundtable, where DOE leadership met with more than 10 stakeholders including local, state, and federal officials, representatives from labor unions, manufacturers, and nonprofit organizations. Discussions focused on supporting consumers in making whole-home energy upgrades and scaling the skilled labor union workforce within the home efficiency space.

“Secretary Granholm’s announcement of the HOMES program is a game-changer for Wisconsin families,” said  Heather Hargreaves, Deputy Executive Director of Campaigns at Climate Power. “This initiative not only makes energy-efficient home upgrades more affordable but also stimulates local job growth and supports our transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. It’s a win-win for our communities and our environment.”

The HOMES rebate program is part of a broader effort to make clean energy more accessible and affordable for all Americans. The $8.8 billion in federal funding that’s being invested in lowering energy costs and increasing efficiency in American homes around the country will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs. 

For more information on Wisconsin’s program, visit Focus on Energy’s Home Energy Rebates website at focusonenergy.com/home-energy-rebates. 

For more information on the HOMES rebate program and other clean energy initiatives, visit the Department of Energy’s website at www.energy.gov/save. 

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