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Wisconsin Natural Gas Laws and Incentives


State Incentives

Alternative Fuel Tax Refund for Taxis

A person using alternative fuel to operate a taxi used to transport passengers may be reimbursed for the amount of Wisconsin fuel tax paid. Refund claims must be filed within one year of the date the fuel is purchased and must be for a minimum 100 gallons of alternative fuel. (Reference Wisconsin Statutes 78.75(1m)(a)1)

State Laws and Regulations

State Energy Plan

In order to become a leader in the production of renewable energy, the state of Wisconsin aims to generate 25% of its transportation fuels from renewable sources by the year 2025. The Office of Energy Independence (OEI) is responsible for promoting this goal as well as the state's biofuels industry. OEI will serve as a single-point of contact for citizens, businesses, local units of government, and non-governmental organizations pursuing biofuels development, energy efficiency, and energy independence. The office will also identify federal funding opportunities and serve as the State Energy Office. (Reference Executive Order 192, 2007)

Petroleum Use Reduction

The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) is directed to require through its fleet management policy that all state agencies reduce the use of petroleum-based gasoline in state-owned vehicles by 20% in 2010 and 50% in 2015, and reduce the use of petroleum-based diesel fuel for vehicles that operate on diesel by 10% in 2010 and 25% in 2015. (Reference Executive Order 141, 2006)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements

The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) must require all state employees to utilize hybrid electric vehicles or vehicles that operate on gasohol or alternative fuel for all state-owned or state-leased motor vehicles whenever such utilization is feasible. The DOA must also encourage the use of gasohol and alternative fuels by officers and employees who use personal motor vehicles on state business and by residents of Wisconsin in general. (Reference Wisconsin Statutes 16.045)

Alternative Fuels Tax

A state excise tax is imposed on the use of alternative fuels. Alternative fuels include liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). The current tax rate on LPG is $0.226 per gallon, and the tax rate on CNG is $0.247 per gallon. No tax is imposed on alternative fuels used by vehicles for urban mass transportation of passengers. (Reference Wisconsin Statutes 78.40)

Alternative Fuel Tax Exemption

No county, city, village, town, or other political subdivision is allowed to levy or collect any excise, license, privilege, or occupational tax upon motor vehicle fuel or alternative fuels, or upon the buying, selling, handling, or consuming of motor vehicle fuel or alternative fuels. (Reference Wisconsin Statutes 78.82)

Alternative Fuel License

Any person acting as an alternative fuels dealer must hold a valid alternative fuels license and certificate. Except for alternative fuels delivered by an alternative fuels dealer into a fuel supply tank of any motor vehicle in the state, no person may use alternative fuels in the state unless the person holds a valid alternative fuels license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Administration or unless the alternative fuel has been delivered by an authorized supplier. (Reference Wisconsin Statutes 78.47)

Utilities/Private Incentives

Natural Gas Infrastructure and Vehicle Technical Assistance

We Energies provides project management for the development of compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations and for natural gas vehicle (NGV) purchases for fleets. The company works with the Wisconsin Clean Cities Southeast Area, Inc., Coalition and other grant sources to develop outside funding to assist with such projects. We Energies offers technical assistance regarding CNG refueling stations and NGVs.