The PSC has opened applications for the second round of its Grid Resilience Program

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) has opened applications for the second round of its Grid Resilience Program, funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The initiative aims to strengthen Wisconsin’s electric grid against extreme weather, wildfires, and natural disasters while improving reliability across local power networks.

A broad range of entities are eligible to apply, including electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, generators, transmission and distribution providers, and fuel suppliers. To ensure smaller entities receive adequate support, the Commission reserved 75 percent of the available funding for small utilities selling no more than 4,000,000 MWh annually, as they often face greater resource constraints when undertaking critical infrastructure upgrades.

The program seeks to modernize and harden energy infrastructure, reduce service disruptions in rural and disadvantaged areas, and expand the skilled workforce needed for long-term grid maintenance. Eligible activities encompass weatherization, fire prevention systems, control and monitoring technologies, line undergrounding, equipment hardening, and specialized workforce training and retention programs.

For Round 2, the PSC has allocated $7.2 million for immediate awards, alongside an additional $9.7 million earmarked for conditional awards pending future federal funds. Phase One applications are open through February 22, 2027, with follow-up submissions due in April. An informational webinar hosted by the Office of Energy Innovation is scheduled for November 5, 2026, to assist applicants with the submission process.