Incentives & Loans

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer many benefits to members and consumers while also introducing future challenges to the electric grid. Member utilities can play an influential role in shaping customers’ behaviors and purchasing decisions in a way that effectively addresses these challenges. The Electric Vehicle Technologies Initiative offers progressive options to position members as trusted partners for their customers through education and financial incentives.

As the EV market grows, the challenges to successfully meet customers’ needs will continue to rise. It will be increasingly more important for members to assume an influential role in the education and promotion of EVs, in order to achieve multiple strategic goals:

• Establish a utility brand, wherein member utilities are seen as trusted local advisers.
• Help offset flat or declining electric loads.
• Affect charging behaviors in order to shift EV load to times of lower demand and/or low utility costs, with education and pricing signals.
• Advance a technology that improves air quality and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

WPPI members are eligible to borrow up to $500,000 from the Revolving Loan Fund interest-free for 10 years. The minimum eligible loan amount is $5,000. Loans are given based on meeting eligibility criteria.

Member Eligibility 

• All members with at least 10 years remaining on their Long-Term Power Supply Contract with WPPI are eligible to borrow from the Revolving Loan Fund.
• For full details, speak with Vice President of Member Relations Lauri Morehart at lmorehart@wppienergy.org or 608-834-4571.

Project Eligibility

A member may borrow from the Revolving Loan Fund for projects that advance business plan initiatives, demonstrate the value of a having a locally-owned utility, or accomplish other strategic objectives that align with the WPPI mission and vision.

Examples of appropriate eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Energy efficiency improvements and services for utility or municipally owned facilities
• Beneficial electrification improvements and services for utility or municipally owned facilities
• Behind-the-meter renewable energy systems for utility or municipally owned facilities, consistent with Policy 210
• Sustainability programs, initiatives, or services for utility or municipally owned facilities
• Electric fleet vehicles (utility or municipally owned) or electric vehicle service equipment for fleet or public use
• Expenses incurred that are eligible for reimbursement through the Electric Service Territory Program, such as legal and consulting fees related to annexation or acquisition of customer load and/or strategic growth planning above and beyond normal utility operating expenses
• Expenses related to distribution upgrades or relocations to address competitive service territory issues, community development projects, or EV charging infrastructure
• Grant writing services
• WPPI Technology Suite software, systems and support consistent with the member-led task forces’ recommendations and related road maps and as outlined in the Official Service Document
  • Advanced metering infrastructure(electric, water and gas)
  • Outage management system (OMS)
  • Geographic information system (GIS)
  • Software implementation, upgrades and training for NorthStar customer information system (CIS) and My Account

Other projects and services may be deemed eligible by the Executive Committee on a case-by-case basis but will need to demonstrate how the proposal will advance business plan initiatives, demonstrate the value of a having a community-owned utility, or accomplish other strategic objectives that align with the WPPI mission and vision.