The Pre-Event Survey is now closed. Please read on to learn the results.
Thank you to all respondents for your input. We hope to see you at the Summit on November 18 in Stevens Point!
Survey Results
In August and September, local government representatives from around Wisconsin voiced their opinions on implementing local energy programs in their communities. The survey was only open to employees and elected officials of the state's local units of government. The Summit Planning Committee used the survey results to determine the needs, priorities, and programs of local units of government in Wisconsin - specifically around energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience. The responses informed the Summit agenda by helping us better understand the needs and priorities of local communities.
Highlights of Results
- We had 67 total respondents from across the state, 35 of whom completed every questions in the survey. Only local government employees or elected officials were permitted to take the survey.
- Almost 70% of the respondents represented a community that received at least some of its electricity from an investor-owned utility.
- Focus on Energy was the most well-known and widely-implemented energy program among respondents, by a large margin (other options included Natural Step, Energy Independent Communities, Green Tier Legacy Communities, Cool Choices, and Better Buildings Challenge). Respondents indicated that they are interested in learning more about all of those programs (fairly evenly split).
- Over half of respondents indicated that their local government invested funds in energy initiatives (56%). Similarly, over half claimed that their community has local-level policies in place that support energy efficiency and/or renewable energy (54%).
- For those respondents representing local governments with energy programs, the most-common energy procedures implemented are: encouraging energy efficiency in government buildings, benchmarking energy use in government facilities, tracking fleet vehicle use, using efficient street-lighting, and partnering with local utilities.
- About 38% of respondents indicated that their local government engaged in private-public partnerships to implement their energy programs.
- Respondents indicated that they see renewable energy and energy efficiency as ways to improve the environment in their communities, as well as cut costs and promote economic development.
- Respondents indicated that a lack of funding resources and gaps in technical knowledge represent the most significant barriers to implementing sustainable energy programs in their communities. Public and internal support is also an issue.
You can view a complete, anonymous summary of the results HERE.
(Please note that those questions and responses with potentially identifying information have been removed).
