Weekend ’24 January 26th
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Inflation Reduction Act Homes Energy Rebate Program Kicks Off in Green Bay
On Tuesday, statewide nonprofit Focus on Energy led an informational session on the Homes Energy Rebate Program, one of the provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act. This program offers rebates to homeowners who make energy efficiency upgrades in their homes that reach 20% energy savings or more, and eligibility for the program is far-reaching. The rebates won’t be available until at least summer; however, any upgrades done on homes on or after August 16th, 2022 will be eligible once the rebates become available.
The event took place at the Brown County Central Library in Green Bay, and members of the Northeast Co-op, as well as local organizer Natalie, went to the event to learn more about the program, as well as provide feedback and public comment with the other 25 or so attendees. There will be more of these events held across the state over the next couple weeks, so be sure to stop in if they are in your area!
Provide Feedback on the HOMES Act.
The U.S. Department of Energy has released program guidelines, including a provision to make HOMES rebates retroactive so that consumers can start getting energy audits and upgrades now.
The HOMES Act, or Home Operations and Maintenance Efficiency Standards Act, is a piece of legislation aimed at improving the energy efficiency of residential buildings in the United States. It focuses on providing rebates and incentives for homeowners to undertake energy audits and make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. The act is designed to help reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Focus on Energy does not intend to make HOMES retroactive. It is holding meetings for public input, which will be shared with the Public Service Commission.
Attend the virtual Public hearing on February 8th from 6-7:30 PM and let Focus on Energy and the Public Service Commission know that we want:
- The HOMES rebates to be available retroactively from January 1, 2024
- State and federal funding for weatherization, electrification, and repair services coordinated into one whole-home program
- Outreach and service to low-income communities
- Recruitment and training for workers and contractors
REGISTER HERE to attend.
Don’t Miss Out on the Inflation Reduction Act’s $14,000 in discounts towards home energy upgrades Watch video with important information.
Many households will be able access up to $14,000 in discounts and tax incentives over the next ten years to upgrade their homes and make them more energy efficient – all from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Now is the time to start planning! Our Future Mlwaukee, Healthy Climate Wisconsin, Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, and Interfaith Conference of Milwaukee hosted a webinar covering IRA incentives and explains some of the new energy efficient technologies available to consumers.
Driftless Co-Op Member Spotlight: Tamra Dickinson
Tamra Dickinson has been an involved member of the La Crosse northside community for a long time. She serves as the Secretary for the Logan Northside Neighborhood Association and in leadership positions at Bethel Lutheran church. She has been an active community gardener and has promoted community gardening as a way to combat hunger.
We first met Tamra Dickinson when she was running for La Crosse City Council in 2023. Tamra participated in the Driftless Co-Op endorsement process and interviewed with our endorsement team. Driftless Co-Op members were impressed with Tamra’s dedication to the community, knowledge of local issues and alignment of our values. We were excited to endorse and get out and knock doors to promote Tamra’s campaign.
Tamra won her election and is currently serving on the La Crosse City Council. She has maintained her commitment to CAW to co-govern, having regular meetings with Driftless organizer Kristie Tweed. She keeps us updated on city business and is always open to hearing about our work in the community.
Recently Tamra took the next step in her relationship with Citizen Action and joined as a member of the Driftless Co-Op. She just attended our monthly healthcare meeting and was very impressed with the work we are doing around the BadgerCare Public Option bill. She met with Kristie at a coffee shop in Holmen and told her “I took copious notes and appreciated the knowledge base represented and some ‘how you can get involved’ suggestions to learn more about this legislation. It was a well organized meeting and efficient use of my time.”
Join us Wednesday, March 13th for a Citizen Action 40th Anniversary party at Big Al’s in La Crosse. Watch your email for more details!
To find out more about the Driftless Co-Op or become a member, please call or email me; Kristie Tweed; Driftless Co-Op Organizer, 608-317-1331 or [email protected].
Join State Bridges 2024: Virtual Event Series on Wednesday, February 7th at 7pm!
There’s no doubt that the future of our democracy relies on boosting voter turnout up and down the ballot to secure key victories in Wisconsin and Michigan, Arizona and Pennsylvania. Collectively, we can lift each other up and work toward building progressive momentum in future state elections
Sister District has raised over $500,000 for power-building organizations led primarily by women of color since the program’s inception. Be a part of this crucial movement by signing up to attend a virtual fundraiser.
RSVP to join Sister District’s State Bridges fundraiser supporting Wisconsin and Michigan!
Attend Citizen Action’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, Monday, March 11, 6pm
Join us for a joyous celebration of 40 years of powerful organizing at Citizen Action of Wisconsin! We will break bread and toast the proud (and often hidden history) of Citizen Action, and consider our critical role in the fight to save and restore multiracial democracy.
Citizen Action executive director Robert Kraig is researching our history (much of it preserved at the Wisconsin Historical Society) and will present his findings on our history.
Monday, March 11th, 6:00 PM
Enlightened Brewing, 2020 S Allis St, Milwaukee
We will also be celebrating in La Crosse, Wednesday, March 13th, 5:30pm at Big Al’s Pizza; Wausau, Thursday, March 14th, 5:30pm at the Labor Temple; Green Bay, Thursday, March 21st, 5:30pm at TBD; and Eau Claire, Tuesday, April 30th, 6:00pm at The Coven.
Citizen Action in the News
Citizen Action Robert Kraig was on the Earl Ingram Show for the full hour to discuss the latest in the fair maps controversy, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ attempt to bait Governor Evers into agreeing to a less advantageous compromise. Listen here. The Earl Ingram Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 8-10 am across the state. The network has stations in every Wisconsin media market, and in many rural areas. Robert Kraig joins Earl every Wednesday from 9 AM to 10 AM.
One of Citizen Action’s top priorities in 2024 is to land as much of President Biden’s historic climate and equity investments for Wisconsin residents, local governments, and school districts as possible. The Cap Times ran feature story this week on one of the many new programs launched by the President, Home Energy rebates, and the question of whether Wisconsin would maximize the benefits for Wisconsin homeowners. The article quotes Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig on the urgency of meeting the moment, and features the work of former Citizen Action Organizing Director and current board member Kevin Kane, who leads a union contractor Green Homeowners United.
Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig was on WIZM Radio, La Crosse’s news-talk radio station, to discuss the latest bad policy coming from the gerrymandered Legislature, including the ploy to head of fair maps, a ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, and other low lights.
Listen to “Gerrymandering is bad for your health” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
We discuss the end of the traditional Republican Party and the reality of the new Party of Trump. Exhibit one is that every Wisconsin Republican House of Representative member voted to shut down the federal government rather than full their constitutional duties to maintain the full faith and credit of the U.S. Also, we are witnessing the inevitable end of the GOP presidential primary with Nicky Haley’s campaign beaten again in New Hampshire and on fumes while Trump promises retribution to all his opponents and threatens to blacklist any supporters of Haley.
Vice President Kamala Harris was in Waukesha and President Biden in Superior this week. Democrats clearly see Wisconsin as central to Biden’s re-election, so expect to see the President and other top administration officials here often.
We dissect the sudden and unplanned closure of a large hospital and clinic system in the Chippewa Valley and Governor Evers’ immediate call for Medicaid expansion to stabilize rural hospitals and clinics.
Robert debriefs Governor Evers’ State of the State speech, and assesses the major policy proposals he advanced heading into a critical election year. We discuss Speaker Vos’ failed attempt to bate Governor Evers and Legislative Democrats into a bad deal on new legislative maps. Meanwhile, Assembly Republicans again block the impeachment of Election head Meagan Wolf by their even crazier faction. Question, would one sentence of support from their strong man leader Donald Trump change their position?
We talk about the new world in Wisconsin politics with the impending Legislative maps, where we likely have the first fair election for control of the Legislature in over a decade. How does this new democratic world shape what the Governor and Legislative Democrats should be supporting for the remainder of the legislative session? We also take a deeper dive into the Congressional maps lawsuit. A Stanford University expert advising the plaintiffs says Wisconsin Congressional maps are the most partisan slanted in the U.S.
Listen to the show.
Join Citizen Action of Wisconsin.
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