
A recently released report showed that the Focus on Energy program in Wisconsin is increasingly benefiting the state.
The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau released the audit that revealed the program returns $2.30 for every dollar that is invested in green energy, local news source the Capital Times reported.
"Analyses completed under contract with the (Public Service Commission) have concluded societal benefits generated by Focus on Energy are more than twice as great as the associated costs," state auditor Joe Chrisman wrote.
The audit of the program - which funds renewable energy initiatives through a charge on Wisconsin consumers' utility bills - was conducted recently at the request of the state's Joint Legislative Audit Committee, co-chaired by Senator Robert Cowles from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Representative Samantha Kerman from Powers Lake.
Democratic leaders praised supporters of the Focus on Energy program following the release of the audit, the Capital Times reported. They also reprimanded those who were in favor of taking away funding for the program. Last year, the Joint Finance Committee approved an increase in contributions to the green energy program that starts at $120 million and increases to $256 million by 2014.
Focus on Energy funded 212 residential solar electric projects in 2010 with almost $1.9 million in incentive rebates, according to The Associated Press.

