In November 1973, Governor Lucey issued Executive Order 64 which established the Office of Emergency Energy Assistance, the predecessor of the Office of State Planning and Energy. The office was authorized to work with the federal government to carry out the national mandatory energy allocation program, acquire information on energy supplies, assist in redistributing energy supplies to meet local shortages, and encourage energy conservation programs.
Chapter 157, Laws of 1973 authorized the Governor to develop a comprehensive energy information system, direct state participation in energy allocation programs, respond to energy problems by establishing a system for addressing citizen complaints and energy needs, act as state liaison with federal agencies dealing with energy problems, keep the public informed on energy problems and actions being taken, propose corrective measures, and encourage energy conservation efforts.
In September 1976, Executive Order 36 merged the Office of Emergency Energy Assistance with the State Planning Office to create the Office of State Planning and Energy within the Department of Administration. The reorganization was confirmed by Chapter 29, Laws of 1977. The Office became the statewide comprehensive planning and energy management agency. Its major functions included land use planning, coastal management, economic development planning, energy management, and intergovernmental planning coordination. In January 1979, the functions of the Office of State Planning and Energy were divided between the Division of State Energy and the State Executive Budget and Planning Division.
In January 1979, the energy-related functions of the Office of State Planning and Energy were reassigned to a new Division of State Energy within the department. In the early 1990s, the division became known as the Division of Energy and Intergovernmental Relations. The division manages statewide energy planning and also maintains state agency ties with local, regional, and federal governments. Primary functions include advising the department and the governor on state and regional energy and coastal management policies, implementing emergency energy policies and programs, and developing policies in federal, state, and local relations.
The division reviews federal legislation and directs state lobbying efforts, prepares and reviews federal grant applications, administers federal energy conservation funds, and administers federal oil overcharge repayment funds. Other activities include developing annual population estimates for Wisconsin municipalities and other demographic research, forecasting energy supply and demand, assisting in the development of proposed state and federal energy legislation, and developing energy conservation programs.
See each Agency's History in the catalog:
