The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) seeks a consultant with strong analytical, policy, and planning expertise to conduct a comprehensive analysis of energy burden metrics and develop an actionable plan for short and long-term deployment of energy burden metrics within Commission programs and processes.
The project includes two primary deliverables. The first deliverable is an Energy Burden Metrics Report due January 10, 2024, which will identify options for Wisconsin to define, calculate, and track energy burden metrics. This report must identify specific data sources for calculating energy burden at detailed levels within utility service territories, with data sources that are consistent, regularly updated, and readily available to utilities and the Commission. The report should build on previous Commission work and stakeholder input from rate case proceedings, incorporating relevant experience from other states' energy burden metrics and policy decisions.
The second deliverable is an Energy Burden Action Plan due March 6, 2024, which will provide strategies for incorporating energy burden metrics into Commission programs and processes. This plan must identify processes that could be informed by energy burden metrics, including rate design, energy planning, performance-based regulation, and bill assistance programs. The action plan must include both short-term aspects (initial evaluations and actions for incorporation into Commission proceedings) and long-term aspects (proposed schedules and frameworks for evaluating performance and adjusting strategies). The plan must also identify stakeholders substantially impacted by energy burden reduction work and provide options for engagement with equity considerations.
The contractor must establish a schedule for bi-weekly status meetings with the Commission and maintain quality control procedures for accuracy of data and statements. Services must be performed entirely within the United States. The estimated project budget range is $40,000 to $50,000, with a maximum contract period of twelve months from the effective date plus one possible six-month extension.