560.126 Renewable energy grants and loans.
560.126
560.126 Renewable energy grants and loans.560.126(1d)
(1d) In this section, "biorefinery" has the meaning given in s. 16.956 (1) (bg).560.126(1s)
(1s) The department may award a grant or make a loan from the appropriations under s. 20.143 (1) (ie) or (tm) to a business or researcher to fund any of the following projects:560.126(1s)(a)
(a) Research and development, including demonstration projects, into renewable energy technologies.560.126(1s)(b)
(b) Development of renewable energy sources and infrastructure in Wisconsin, including the conversion of nonrenewable energy sources to renewable energy sources.560.126(1s)(c)
(c) The commercial application of renewable energy technologies.560.126(1s)(d)
(d) The construction of one or more biorefineries.560.126(2)
(2)560.126(2)(a)
(a) The department shall consider all of the following criteria to evaluate applications for a grant or loan under this section:560.126(2)(a)1.
1. The extent to which the project will aid in the research, development, or use of renewable energy sources in Wisconsin.560.126(2)(a)2.
2. The extent to which the project will improve the competitive position or enhance the capabilities of Wisconsin's renewable energy industries.560.126(2)(a)3.
3. Whether the project is one in which Wisconsin holds a competitive advantage over other states.560.126(2)(a)4.
4. The likelihood that the project will lead to the commercial application of new practices or technologies that involve the development, production, processing, or distribution of renewable energy.560.126(2)(a)5.
5. The extent to which the project will use existing, surplus, or by-products of natural resources in this state.560.126(2)(a)6.
6. The extent to which the project will strengthen Wisconsin's existing industries by converting wastes or by-products generated by existing industries into renewable energy.560.126(2)(a)7.
7. The extent to which the project will develop technologies to increase the capacity of Wisconsin's manufacturing industries to utilize renewable energy sources.560.126(2)(b)
(b) The department may also consider the following criteria to evaluate applications for a grant or loan under this section:560.126(2)(b)1.
1. The criteria under ss. 560.602 and 560.605.560.126(2)(b)2.
2. Whether the applicant is a small business, a minority business under s. 560.036 (1) (e), a locally owned business, or a farm.560.126(2)(b)3.
3. The geographical distribution of grants awarded and loans made under this section.560.126(3)
(3) A grant under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the costs of an eligible project.560.126(4)
(4) In consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, the department of natural resources, and the public service commission, the department may promulgate rules necessary to administer this section.560.126 - ANNOT.
History: 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 401.