Wisconsin Public Service Continues To Award Grants For Habitat For Humanity Projects

Wisconsin Public Service Continues To Award Grants For Habitat For Humanity Projects

Green Bay, WI - Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is again awarding grants to Habitat for Humanity organizations if they include energy efficiency measures in the designs of their new and remodeled Habitat Home projects.

History

This is the sixth year WPS has awarded energy efficiency grants for local Habitat projects. Last year, 17 grants of $1,500 each were awarded for energy efficiency improvements in existing and new Habitat home builds. These grants are subject to energy efficiency guidelines and requirements established by the state-wide Focus on Energy Program in Wisconsin.

In addition, WPS also provided training scholarships for 14 construction coordinators to attend the annual "Better Buildings, Better Business" state-wide conference to learn more about energy efficiency in home design.

This Year

Habitat for Humanity grants from WPS are available for new homes and existing remodeled homes that are located in the WPS electric or natural gas service area, as well as opportunities to apply for scholarships at the 2016 Better Buildings: Better Business Conference. Habitat groups are encouraged to contact their local WPS representative early in their planned home construction project.

"The WPS Habitat for Humanity grants provides a way for our affiliate to gain important information necessary to build energy efficient homes, which in turn gives our families yet another way to save valuable financial resources. In addition, the funding provided by the grants gives our affiliate support necessary to carry out our mission and help even more families in our community", said Shannon Wiegman, Development Director of Green Bay Habitat.

Some energy efficiency measures are included in foundation insulation, house ventilation, water heating systems, windows and doors and appliance energy efficiency levels. The measures taken must meet or exceed home performance ratings as established by the state's Focus on Energy programs.

WPS has been a long time sponsor and supporter of Habitat for Humanity, both financially as well as company employees and retirees who are involved in providing volunteer labor for Habitat builds.