Governor Evers Honored Energy Efficiency Champions
The state recognized four organizations at the Wisconsin State Capitol for their achievements in energy conservation.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Awards
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Governor Tony Evers honored four Wisconsin organizations as Energy Efficiency Champions during a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Focus on Energy program. The event highlighted significant contributions to sustainability across the state.
Why it matters
The recognition emphasizes the state's ongoing commitment to reducing energy consumption through long-term infrastructure improvements and residential support. These projects illustrate how targeted investments can yield substantial economic and environmental benefits for Wisconsin residents.
The School District of La Crosse achieved $10 million in savings over 20 years, while On Site Performance Testing assisted 12,000 residents in improving their home energy efficiency.
The players
Tony Evers
Tony Evers is the Governor of Wisconsin who presided over the ceremony at the state capitol.
Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is a statewide program that recently marked its 25th anniversary of promoting renewable energy and efficiency.
School District of La Crosse
The School District of La Crosse is a public education body recognized for a two-decade effort to reduce energy costs.
Kwik Trip
Kwik Trip is a regional convenience store chain noted for its integration of solar power and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Ahlstrom Thilmany Mill
Ahlstrom Thilmany Mill is a manufacturing facility where employee Dave Leeder led efforts to improve industrial energy efficiency.
The details
Award recipients included the School District of La Crosse for its two-decade efficiency program, and On Site Performance Testing for their residential outreach. Additionally, Kwik Trip was honored for installing solar panels and electric vehicle chargers, while Dave Leeder of Ahlstrom Thilmany Mill earned recognition for operational improvements.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: Governor Evers presented the energy efficiency awards at the state capitol.
Culture Shift
These awards reflect a broader societal shift toward sustainable infrastructure as the Focus on Energy program marks 25 years of operation. The recognition highlights how local organizations are increasingly integrating long-term green technology into their core business models.
Residents may see broader availability of solar and electric vehicle infrastructure as major local businesses adopt these efficiency measures. Households can also evaluate their own energy usage by leveraging resources similar to those provided by the state-backed programs honored in this ceremony.
The takeaway
Energy efficiency requires sustained investment over many years, as evidenced by the $10 million in savings achieved by the La Crosse school district. Organizations looking to emulate these successes should prioritize long-term infrastructure planning over short-term upgrades.
Further reading
Find more details on local initiatives by browsing our Awards section.
Live Poll
Do you believe local businesses should prioritize energy efficiency projects despite the associated costs?
